If you want electric motoring with Audi’s distinctive Sportback SUV style and practicality this is the way to go

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SINGAPORE

We’re getting to a point in electric motoring that you can have your EV in distinct flavours. If you’ve always been a fan of Audi’s Sportback models, then this is the car for you: The e-tron Sportback.

The e-tron is of course, Audi’s first full-production electric vehicle, a car that’s around the same size as the Audi Q5 midsize luxury SUV – if anyone says ‘the e-tron’, this is the car they’re referring to. 

What is the e-tron Sportback?

‘Sportback’ is familiar ground for Audi fans, but the short version is: Audi has been making sportier and more visually distinct versions of its regular models for some time, and it typically refers to a car with a sloping, fastback rear – case in point, the A5 Sportback, which is styled like a coupe, but has four regular doors like a sedan, and a useful liftback rear for some of the versatility of an estate.

From the front, the e-tron Sportback looks very similar to the normal e-tron, but things change rapidly once your eyes move to the sides of the car: Sportback touches include smaller windows (a coupe hallmark) and aft of the B-pillar, things take a distinct plunge, ending in an elegant bootlid spoiler. The car’s dramatic lightbar-style taillights also pair well with the Sportback treatment. 

The car shown here, which CarBuyer tested earlier in 2021, also has extra touches to make it look like the sportiest variant of the e-tron SUV family – the e-tron S, which will have 500hp/ almost 1,000Nm from three electric motors – namely the S-Line exterior kit.

Inside, the familiar high-tech Audi interior as seen on its newer, larger cars (such as the A6, A7 Sportback, and A8 limousine) fits right into the electric aesthetic which is really no surprise because of the clean, minimalist lines Audi adheres to. The 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit display handles all your driving information needs, while there are two more screens on your left: the main infotainment touchscreen and another touchscreen underneath that which handles climate control and other functions.

There’s comfortable room for four adults, and the tall seating position makes it easy to enter the vehicle, as well as to load things into the back. You don’t sacrifice a whole lot for the Sportback style either – compared to the regular e-tron at 660-litres of boot space, the Sportback has 615-litres. 

Driving Experience

In Singapore, the e-tron Sportback is offered with two drivetrains: the 50 and the 55. As is common with EVs, the lesser model has less power and a smaller battery. The e-tron Sportback 50 has a 71.2kWh battery pack and 308hp from dual motors (all-wheel drive), with a quoted range of 315km. The e-tron Sportback 55 has a 95kWh battery pack with 402hp (also dual motor AWD) and a quoted range of 378km.

Driving the e-tron Sportback is similar to the e-tron itself, no surprise there. It’s a very peaceful affair if you’re in the efficient drive mode, the silence of the electric drivetrain is a lovely contrast to the constant buzz of a gasoline motor. Some might find it unnerving, but even they will quickly get used to more tranquility. The car’s ride quality is excellent, which pairs well with its refinement too.

But this being an Audi, you can also choose to jolt things up – with the Dynamic drive mode, the adaptive suspension stiffens up, and the e-drivetrain delivers more punch straight up accompanied by the signature e-tron hum. The e-tron SB still has plenty of power, a considerable 540Nm of torque, and all-wheel drive so you can easily go faster than the average person needs/wants to.

CarBuyer tested the e-tron Sportback 50 in Singapore and found that – small shock – Audi actually underquotes the range of the car. With our rather inefficient driving to stop for photoshoots and the like, we would actually have hit nearly 330km on a single charge which is more than the homologated range for Singapore.

So, Why This Car?

The answer to this question would have been confirmed after reading the first few paragraphs: If you want your electric motoring experience with Audi’s Sportback style that loses little in terms of practicality, then your clear choice is for the e-tron Sportback.

Click here to read the full review of the Audi e-tron Sportback 50

Audi e-tron Sportback 50

Electric Motor	308hp / 540Nm
Battery	Lithium ion, 71.2kWh
Charge Time / Type	7 hours / 11kW wallbox 35 minutes (10-80%) / 120kW DC charger
Electric Range	315km WLTP average
0-100km/h	6.8 seconds
Top Speed	190km/h
Efficiency	23.2kWh/100km
Price	From S$358,461 with COE (as of November 2021)