Audi adds e-tron Sportback coupe to EV line-up

 

Audi is adding to its e-tron line-up of vehicles with the new e-Tron Sportback. The new Sportback e-tron adds a little bit of style to Audi's mid-size(ish) crossover. The fastback five-door SUV/crossover mrket was originally started by BMW and naysayers sota, well, laughed. When sales took off, no one was laughing except maybe BMW. Now everyone is making five-door coupe versions of their crossovers. This just happens to be a good-looking one. It satisfies the need some have for a tallish five-door, but one that doesn't look like your mother's station wagon or SUV. Best of both worlds, right? The Audi e-tron is a middling EV in terms of range and charging. The Sportback has an  EPA-rated range of 218 miles and can be charged at the rate of 150kwh giving you a full-charge (100%) in nine hours from empty. An around town charge can be achieved in about 30 minutes. In other words, if you need a full charge, do it over night. Rates are lower then anyway. Kinda like getting premium for the price of regular. The e-tron Sportback makes 355 hp (402 in boost mode) and hits sixty from a standstill in 5.5 seconds. Not Tesla fast, but fast enough for most. The EPA gives the e-tron Sportback an mpge (miles per gallon equivalent) rating of 76/78/77 (city, combined, highway). And, since charging is much cheaper than an oil-based fill-up, you end up saving bucks. Audi provides 1000 kwh of charging (about 2500 miles) at Electrify America for free to new owners. Audi even offers a 240-volt home charging set-up through Amazon Home Services to get you going. As long as your electrics are set-up to handle 240, then you won't face any electrician bills for home charging. It's cheaper to charge at home especially if you have solar. Then it's kinda free. Hmmm. Anyway, the e-tron Sportback gets you style, German electronics, and a killer interior. But all of this good stuff doesn't come cheap. The Presmium-Plus Sportback starts at $77,400., and gets you Bang & Olufsen premium audio, Audi adaptive cruise assist, 12-way heated and cooled seats, and more. The Prestige model jumps to $83,400 and adds a Heads-up display with navigation, full leather package, an air quality system and yes, even more. The Edition One package (limited to 200 units) starts at $88, 495 and adds special Blue Plasma paint and blue leather interior, 21-inch wheels and even more. These prices are not for the faint of heart or wallet. The Audi e-tron Sportback should be at your local dealer now, but check first before you head on down cause you never know these days. For lots more info and one pic click on the "read more" jump. I like this one, you?

Source: Audi - Pics and media release