The original Audi e-tron Quattro Concept revealed in 2015 had three electric engines, so we were a bit disappointed to see the 55 quattro on sale with only two. Eighteen months after the launch, Audi fixes this with the new S line.
Both the standard e-tron SUV and its coupe-shaped sibling – the Sportback – can now be obtained in the new S spec, which moves the main electric engine of the 55 quattro from the rear axle to the front one. The power stays unchanged at 169 hp / 125 kW (standard) and 204 hp / 152 kW (temporary boost).
The smaller motor moves to the rear axle and gets duplicated. As a result, the rear axle produces 267 hp / 200 kW (standard) and 359 hp / 268 kW (boost).
The summary output of the powertrain thus amounts to 435 hp (324 kW) and 808 Nm (596 lb-ft) of torque. Activating the Boost mode kicks these up to 503 hp (375 kW) and 973 Nm (718 lb-ft) for up to eight seconds. This actually corresponds to the declared specs of the e-tron Quattro Concept from five years ago.
The old 55 Quattro line needs 5.7 seconds for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint and maxes out at 200 km/h (124 km/h). The S version reduces the sprint time to just 4.5 seconds, but still tops out at only 210 km/h (132 mph).
The 95-kWh traction battery remains unchanged in the new spec. The e-tron S comes rear-driven by default, with the front axle only coming into play when additional power is needed.
On the outside, the new series boasts redesigned front bumper and rear diffuser, wider wheel arches, and 20-inch wheels by default (22-inch ones are optional).