Yahoo Autos The 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback Will Be a Sillier, Sportier EV Crossover
The sportier, coupe-ier version of Audi's e-tron SUV has been spied testing.
The new model, which will be dubbed e-tron Sportback, was previewed by a concept in 2017.
A swoopier roofline and less cargo space distinguish the Sportback from the standard e-tron.
What It Is: The "coupe" version of Audi's new e-tron electric SUV. This model, which will be called e-tron Sportback, was previewed a couple of years ago in concept form, but this is our first time seeing the production model out and about (albeit in camouflage). While everything from the B-pillar forward is identical to the regular e-tron, the Sportback gets an extremely sloping roofline reminiscent of the A5 Sportback and the A7, with a very short rear deck ending in a slight ducktail spoiler. This is slightly disappointing, as the Sportback concept looked more aggressive and had a design that was more distinct from the regular e-tron. But those looking for more style and less cargo space from their electric crossovers surely won't mind, as the production Sportback does look different enough to have its own personality.
Why It Matters: Coupelike crossovers are all the rage right now, as are electric crossovers. The Sportback will be marketed as the sportier alternative to the normal e-tron, and it will allow Audi to make some more money, pump out even more EVs, and raise the e-tron brand's image. Audi seems to have been able to create the Sportback at a low cost, too-as we said before, everything forward of the B-pillar is the same as the regular e-tron, but it seems like the rear doors, side skirts, taillights, and parts of the rear bumper and the lower part of the hatch are all carried over, too. See the gallery below for a comparison between the two e-trons:
Platform: The standard e-tron rides on a modified version of the Volkswagen Group's MLB platform, and the Sportback will be no different. The e-tron has a 95.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that should give the SUV a range of just over 200 miles (EPA ratings are still forthcoming), and the Sportback should match its boxier sibling.
Powertrain: The regular e-tron will also share its single available powertrain with the Sportback. That means two electric motors producing a maximum total of 402 horsepower and 409 lb-ft of torque. There's a possibility that, given the Sportback's sportier market positioning, Audi could boost its power outputs, but that's just our own speculation.
Competition: Audi e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model X.
Estimated Arrival and Price: The e-tron Sportback should be revealed later this year as a 2020 model. Expect prices to start a few thousand dollars higher than the standard e-tron's base price, which is $75,795.
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