GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Quick Test

Car reviews - Audi - e-Tron - S

Overview

Audi’s latest e-tron SUV might just be its most convincing EV yet

19 May 2022

Overview

 

AUDI Australia director Paul Sansom says the brand’s freshly minted e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) represent a step change in the perception of e-mobility for the Audi brand; and, for once, that might be more than just lip service.

 

During its 24-hour tenure in our test fleet, the Audi e-tron S proved a capable and well-sorted family-sized SUV (which we expected), but also an entirely convincing BEV – one with so few compromises that even die-hard internal combustion engine (ICE) devotees may finally see it as a realistic option to conventionally-powered models. Well, maybe…

 

But when you really dig down into it, the e-tron S is a convincing SUV.

 

Sure, it’s built on a platform that also supports ICE drivelines rather than its own bespoke EV platform, but it doesn’t feel as compromised as some vehicles that have followed a similar formula. And perhaps that accounts for the e-tron S being such an effective “bridging model” between ICE and electric propulsion – it is engaging, yet very familiar.

 

It’s also bloody quick. The e-tron S’ tri-motor and all-wheel-drive boogie fest delivers its  370kW and 973Nm instantaneously, which will see the luxury family-sized SUV rocket from zero to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and go on to a v-max of 210km/h. Yet, it’s still entirely liveable and completely practical in day-to-day driving scenarios with a well-metered throttle and an, er, honest real-world driving range; but more on that in a minute.

 

First, let’s look at the e-tron S in a little more detail.

 

Offered locally in S guise, the two-variant range (SUV $168,400 and Sportback $175,400, before on-road costs) offers a strongly contoured body, widened wheel arches (+46mm) and aggressively styled bumpers, which, at first glance suggest the model is focused on speed and speed alone. But open a door – or the handsfree powered tailgate – and the e-tron S shows an entirely practical interior that, to our eyes at least, places it somewhere in the same physical realm as Audi’s Q8 large SUV (4902/2928/1976/1629mm length, wheelbase, width and height against the latter’s 4986/2995/1995/1705mm).

 

Standard equipment includes Audi’s extensive suite of safety- and driver-assistance technologies, 21-inch alloy wheels, all-multilink adaptive air suspension, a panoramic glass sunroof, rear privacy glass, four-zone climate control, heated front seats with electric adjustment and driver’s side memory function, coloured LED cabin lighting, Valcona leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and 360-degree camera system. Matrix LED headlights are available optionally (as part of the $9600 Sensory Package), as are Audi’s virtual mirrors with OLED displays ($3500).

 

The infotainment features are extensive too, with Audi’s virtual cockpit digital instrument panel, Audi connect plus, wireless phone charging, Audi smartphone interface (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity), a 10-inch touch and haptic infotainment screen and 8.6-inch touch and haptic vehicle-control screen included.

 

The e-tron S duo also come with a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 16 speakers, a subwoofer, 15-channel amplifier and a total system output of 705W.

 

Vehicle charging is via a 7.5kW AC home-charging kit or 150kW DC fast-charging. Audi says the latter offers 80 per cent charge in just 30 minutes, or 100 per cent charge in 45 minutes. The home-charging setup can top up the battery pack in around 13 hours.


Read more

Quick Test

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new e-Tron

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here