Electric S

As Audi continues to expand its range of all-electric vehicles, it was only a mater of time before the Audi e-tron received the ’S’ treatment. With performance always a cornerstone of the Audi brand, taking the all-electric powertrain of the e-tron and injecting even more performance into the range was an obvious progression – and here it is.

The e-tron S will be available in both ‘conventional’ body style and also in the e-tron Sportback configuration seen here.

The Audi e-tron S demolishes the sprint from standstill to 100/km/h in just 4.5 seconds, surging on with practically no sound to its electronically limited top speed of 210km/h. 

Drive from its three electric motors delivers 370kW of boost power and an incredible 972Nm of torque, while delivering 320kW and 808Nm in drive without the boost function activated.

In addition to its blinding acceleration, the Audi e-tron S prototypes also boast extraordinary levels of handling, thanks to the combination of not only electric quattro but also electric torque vectoring with active and fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle.
The new Audi e-tron S models will be the first electric cars worldwide with three motors in mass production. Their drive layout is based on the concept with two different asynchronous motors (ASM) and was designed in modular form in line with this from the start. 

The larger electric motor, which powers the rear axle in the Audi e-tron 55 models has now been installed on the front axle in an adapted design and configured for 124kW of power, or 150kW on boost. The smaller electric motor now works in a modified form in the rear, together with a second identical motor producing a combined 196kW of power, or 264kW on boost. 

The look of the e-tron S takes the now familiar e-tron styling and applies the subtle yet more aggressive elements of Audi S design. The front and rear bumpers are heavily contoured, while the diffuser insert runs almost the full width of the vehicle. The bumper is flanked by bigger and more expressive air curtains, which improve air flow, extending below the headlights and creating a dynamic appearance even from a distance. The stance is more powerful thanks in no small part to the wheel arches which are a whopping 23mm wider than the standard e-tron, and silver elements – from the lip of the front bumper, the Singleframe and the door inserts right up to the diffuser – emphasise the vehicle’s features. 

Both S models are available, on request, with the digital Matrix LED headlights which can be controlled to provide a raft of new functions such as lane and orientation light. 

The two e-tron S prototypes ride on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard with wheels up to 22 inches available on request. Black brake callipers with a red S rhombus, employ six pistons at the front  and 400mm discs. Progressive steering is standard while the front and rear axles have been created as a five-link design and the stabilisers on both axles have been enlarged to reduce roll during cornering. 

Inside, the e-tron S models are all dark colours and the sleek, minimalist design employed in the existing e-tron models. With virtual external mirror screens at each side of the cockpit, Audi virtual cockpit and the driver-oriented instrument panel, everything is within easy reach of the driver. The leather/Alcantara covers of the electrically adjustable sport seats and the gear selector lever feature the famous S rhombus, while the door sills and steering wheel feature S badges. 

On request, Audi can offer a super sport seat in leather with a rhombus pattern in black, rotor grey or Aras red, as well as an air-conditioned customised contour seat with perforated leather.

It is everything you would expect of an Audi S car, but with a new, electric interpretation. The performance is extraordinary, but the e-tron S models will also provide luxurious motoring for the everyday, when race tracks or twisting mountain roads are not on the menu. 

In ‘normal’ driving mode, the emphasis is on comfort and efficiency, with the front driving deactivating and drive coming from the two motors on the rear axle. Of course the second the power and performance of the front motor is required, it seamlessly springs back to life. It also switches on if the grip declines – say when there is poor grip and during rapid cornering. 

This electric quattro is complemented by electrical torque vectoring, which brings the advantages of the conventional sport differential into the electric era. Each one of the rear electric motors sends the drive forces directly to the wheel via a transmission, negating the need for a mechanical differential, and resulting in more agile driving and self-steering characteristics, and higher cornering speeds. 

The result is a new era in e-mobility, with all of the benefits of all-electric motoring, combined with the high-performance and the Audi S models. Fast charging, high performance – zero emissions. Pure exhilaration.