Audi Debuts Sleek e-tron Sportback Concept at Shanghai Auto Show
Volkswagen Group’s Audi luxury brand previewed another model in its upcoming series of electric vehicles (EVs)—the Audi e-tron Sportback Concept—at the Shanghai Auto Show this week. A futuristic and sporty design is translated into a 4-door Gran Turismo Audi e-tron Sportback coupe/crossover Concept that produces 320 kW of power. Audi, which is building its future on electric cars, says this stylish and high-tech coupe/crossover concept will reach production in 2019.
The sporty, muscular e-tron Sportback, which will launch a year after the 2018 Audi e-tron electric sporty SUV, has a range equivalent of about 310 miles before needing a recharge, according to the automaker. The crossover’s powertrain includes a 95-kWh Lithium-ion battery and 3 electric motors—one on the front axle and two on the rear axles—that produce the equivalent of 429 horsepower to help it surge from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, the company states. The e-tron Sportback Concept has a top speed of 131 mph and in full-boost mode can achieve nearly 500 horsepower, Audi states.The new e-tron Sportback Concept has cameras instead of side mirrors, and a front fascia that doesn’t need a grille projects a single-frame grille graphic. Air flow is vented through the front fascia and deflected through venting over the wheel arches. The crossover features a matrix LED high-beam projector headlight system. A four-ring Audi badge lights up, and when the car starts and when the doors are opened, technology generates visual welcome signals. For athletic looks, the e-tron rides on massive 23-in. 3-D wheels with a 6-spoke design. Overall dimensions for the e-tron Sportback are similar to those of the A7, Audi states.
Inside the light-colored cockpit are futuristic touch screens below the central display, on the center console, and in the door panels to provide information. The horizontal feel of the dashboard and a floating center console create a feeling of spaciousness inside the car that seats four. Advanced safety driver-assistance systems are also incorporated into the concept. The e-tron Sportback can attain 80% of a full battery charge in 30 minutes with a fast DC charger, Audi says.
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