Audi e-tron S priced

Aussies chasing a high-riding alternative to the looming Audi e-tron GT from within the German brand’s burgeoning EV stable now have access to exactly that in the form of the 2022 Audi e-tron S twins.

Due to arrive in Australia early next year, the Audi e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback will sit at the top of the local e-tron SUV range, priced from $165,600 and $172,700 (plus on-road costs) respectively and packing a 370kW/973Nm all-electric punch.

In comparison, the current range-topping dual-motor Audi e-tron 55 (300kW/664Nm) is priced from $146,100 plus ORCs, while the entry-level e-tron 50 (230kW/540Nm) kicks off at $137,100 plus ORCs. The Sportback version of each adds $11,000.

The mammoth outputs of the S versions come courtesy of a new triple-motor powertrain – two motors on the rear axle and one on the front – which draws its power from a 95kWh battery pack and enables the flagship duo to spring from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.

As usual for electric vehicles, the top speed isn’t quite as impressive at 210km/h, but the large battery means the Audi e-tron S should be able to cover 413km on a single charge.

Thanks to its slippery roofline, the Sportback marginally raises the bar to 418km.

When the time comes to recharge the e-tron S, Audi says doing so with a 150kW DC fast-charger will add 80 per cent of charge in half an hour and 100 per cent in 45 minutes.

Charging at home with an 11kW wallbox, meanwhile, will take 8.5 hours for a full charge from empty.

As with the lesser e-trons, a six-year Chargefox subscription is included in the vehicle purchase price.

To help it demolish bends as briskly as it launches off the line, the e-tron S models have been fitted with active torque vectoring which effectively gifts each rear motor its own wheel to drive.

The torque vectoring isn’t alone in its support of dynamic handling; progressive steering and S-tuned adaptive air suspension are also included as standard, controlled and altered via the seven different drive modes on offer.

Like the various other ‘S’ cars in Audi’s Australian portfolio, the e-tron S twins flaunt some subtly pumped-up styling cues to inform the world of their identity including wider wheel-arches, unique 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, aluminium-finish wing mirrors, ‘S’ grille badge and orange ‘S’-branded brake callipers.

Thanks to the standard air suspension, the ride height can be altered by up to 76mm depending on the driving situation at hand.

The sporty theme is continued inside the cabin with ‘valcona’ leather upholstery for the front sport seats, a smattering of ‘S’ logos, flat-bottomed steering wheel, S-specific digital cockpit and infotainment displays with performance-related readouts.

Other standard equipment highlights include an 8.6-inch haptic screen for vehicle functions, Audi connect plus, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a 705W Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, to name a few.

How much does the 2022 Audi e-tron S cost?
S – $165,600
S Sportback – $172,700
* Prices exclude on-road costs