Audi adds power to its EVs to fight Tesla

[Mark-x]

Audi hopes to expand the appeal of its full-electric SUVs by adding sporty S versions of the e-tron and e-tron Sportback.  The new models combine three electric motors for more power and greater control at high speeds in a bid to woo buyers who might have picked performance versions of Tesla's Model X instead.  Deliveries of both S-badged cars will start this summer, an Audi spokesman said.  

 

The e-tron is already on sale, while deliveries of the coupe-styled e-tron Sportback starts at the beginning of April.  

Both S models use the same 95 kilowatt-hour battery pack as the e-tron 55 version, but boost peak power to 496 hp up from 402 hp. The extra power drops the 0-100 kph (62 mph) time to 4.5 seconds, down from 5.7 seconds in the 55 version and 6.8 seconds in the lower powered 50 model. Top speed for the new models is 209 kph (130 mph).  

The S models move the rear motor from the 55 model to the front axle and add two more motors to the rear axle. The two motors in the rear provide the main motive force in normal driving, with the front motor assisting when more acceleration is needed or when loss of grip is detected.  

 

The two rear motors also allow electric torque vectoring, where drive forces can be shuffled between the two rear wheels to aid both cornering, grip and even allow a drift mode in track situations. Audi says this brings a new dimension to its 'quattro' four-wheel drive. It is the first time three motors have been used in a mass-production electric car, the company claimed.  

The new S models will be differentiated from other e-trons by means of design tweaks. The wheel arches on both cars are 23mm wider, while silver-colored elements enhance the front bumper, the grille and door inserts. Inside the cars feature prominent S badging.  

 

E-tron production in Audi's plant in Brussels, Belgium, had to be paused late in February due to battery supply problems. The issue was due to a shortage of cells from Audi's supply LG in Poland, German media reported. Audi also uses cells from Samsung in Korea for the e-tron, a spokesman told Automotive News Europe. "We hope the supply situation will stabilize in the coming weeks," he added.  The price of the S models will be about 90,000 to 100,000 euros the spokesman said.  The e-tron starts at 69,100 euros for the 50 model in Germany, while the Sportback starts at 71,350 euros.