e-tron S duo here soon from $165k

AUDI Australia has announced pricing and specification details of its e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback electric range, which is due to arrive here “early in 2022”. The battery electric flagship duo will be available from $165,600 and $172,700, plus on-road costs, respectively.

Powered by three high-performance electric motors – one at the front axle and two at the rear – the e-tron S derivatives produce peak outputs of 370kW and 973Nm. Audi says the pair can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 210km/h.

"The all-new e-tron S models represent a step change in the perception of electric mobility for the Audi brand," Audi Australia managing director Paul Sansom said.

"Not only is electric mobility the way of a more sustainable future, but it can also be an exhilarating driving experience, as featured by these extraordinary vehicles.

"It's an important part of our journey, because the e-tron S demonstrates that Audi understands that owners don't want to choose between the ultimate in sustainable motoring and the ultimate in performance – they want both," he added.

To improve efficiency, the front motor is only engaged when maximum acceleration or additional traction is required. The e-quattro system otherwise relies upon the torque-vectoring abilities of the rear motors to “drive torque directly to each rear wheel via a single-speed transmission”.

The setup negates the need for a mechanical differential – Audi says that the arrangement is capable of “millisecond-instant power regulation” with “high levels of torque”.

Power for the e-tron S is sourced from a 95-kWh battery pack capable of providing a driving range of up to 418km. The vehicles may be charged by an 11-kW AC home charging kit or 150-kW DC fast charger, with charging times quoted at 8.5 hours and 45 minutes apiece.

The battery pack of the e-tron S sits low in the floor to optimise the vehicle’s centre of gravity and the “sporty character” of the driveline is further enhanced by progressive steering and adaptive air suspension with S-specific tuning, which can vary the ride height by up to 76mm.

The newcomers’ aerodynamic efficiency is enhanced by wheel-arch extensions, optional “virtual mirrors” (i.e. cameras), as well as controllable air-cooling inlets to the front brakes. Overall, the e-tron S has a drag coefficient of 0.28, while the Sportback’s figure is even lower (0.26).

Equipment levels for the single-spec e-tron S range include 21-inch Audi sport alloy wheels in a double five-spoke design, orange-painted brake calipers, aluminium-look wing-mirror caps, a panoramic glass sunroof, privacy glass, four-zone climate control, heated and electrically-adjustable front S sport seats, a sport leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with heating and electric adjustment, a wireless charging pad, an S-specific Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel, as well as a smaller 8.6-inch touch- and haptic screen for toggling vehicle functions.

Infotainment features include a 10.1-inch touch- and haptic centre screen offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, MMI navigation, Audi smartphone interface, Audi connect plus and an “exquisite and incredible” Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 16 speakers, a subwoofer and a 15-channel amplifier with total power output of 705 watts.

Optionally, the Audi e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback are available with digital Matrix LED headlights. Eight paint colours are available with Plasma Blue reserved for the e-tron S Sportback.

Audi Australia is offering home-charging infrastructure installation through partner JETCharge, as well as a six-year subscription to high-speed public charging facilities via the Chargefox network. 

Roadside assistance is included for the first six years of ownership, while a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is supplemented by a separate eight-year/160,00km battery warranty.

2022 Audi e-tron S pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.