Do you remember the side mirrors? Those reflective panels that stick out from both sides of your car, allowing you to see what's behind you and in the lanes next to you? Of course you do, because most cars still have it, but it may be the beginning of the end. Several manufacturers are experimenting with alternative options for keeping an eye on what's around your vehicle, and the all-electric Audi e-tron Sportback is one of the cars where a more futuristic option is available. The Sportback is a slight variation on Audi's first all-electric car, the e-tron SUV. It has a roofline closer to a coupe, giving it a sportier, sleeker aesthetic. You'll pay more for this upgraded look, even if it gives you a little less space inside. Prices for the e-tron Sportback start at €69,850 / €69,100 (around AU$125,000), but our test loaner came with a more powerful 300kW electric motor and a host of option extras that pushed its price up to € 89,470 (around €120.000). / A$159.000).
Virtual visibility
In technology, and in particular in elegant exterior mirrors. Audi calls them 'virtual mirrors' and this was a €1,250 option on our 55 e-tron Sportback. Externally the mirror housing appears to have been lost, with a rod on each side of the car protruding from the A-pillar. A look that takes some getting used to as our minds are so used to seeing traditional mirrors in this area of the car; you will find that other people will notice as well. As we packed up, a family drove by and one of the kids noticed that we didn't have traditional mirrors in the car, and he was quite impressed when we explained what was really going on here. So what's up? Well, each rod contains a camera, which then transmits what it sees to a small screen inside the door. Audi has shaped this screen to look like a traditional rear view mirror, but its placement requires a slight change in your driving style.
(Image credit: TechRadar) Since the screens sit in the door panels, just below the glass on either side, you actually have to adjust your gaze down to see them. It's not a massive change in angle, but it's enough to make it feel unnatural on your first few rides. We were concerned about potential camera lag, but that wasn't a problem with virtual mirrors capable of keeping up with live traffic. The screens are also touch sensitive, allowing you to slightly adjust the angle of the camera. Movement seems a bit limited and we felt like we wanted to zoom out a bit for a wider field of view, but again it was more because we weren't used to the digital mirror setup.
(Image credit: TechRadar) After several reads, we got used to the virtual mirror settings and found that we naturally started looking in the right place to check them. The driver's side mirror is more of an adjustment, as the screen is closer to you and therefore requires more head tilt. The passenger side screen fits more naturally in your eye line because it is further away. In addition to giving you a view to both sides of the e-tron Sportback, the mirrors can also warn you if there's a vehicle in your blind spot using a yellow border on the screen, while a green highlight flashes on the corresponding screen when you signal. If the e-tron Sportback detects that you are driving on a multi-lane road, it will add a horizontal white line to indicate the gap between the lane you are in and the lane next to you, giving you a clearer picture. indication of what else is around you. Another benefit of having virtual mirrors comes at night as there is no physical mirror for your headlights to reflect back, giving you a clearer image of what is behind you and reducing risk to your eyesight. While the cameras performed well on illuminated roads at night, they were less effective on unlit roads, with images not as sharp or clear as a traditional mirror. Image 1 of 6
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Design, drive and charge the Audi e-tron Sportback
We drove
(Image credit: LaComparacion) Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro
Power: 408 PS
Top speed: 124 mph (limited)
0-62 mph: 6.6 seconds
Range: up to 240 miles
Price: €89,470 As we mentioned at the beginning, the Audi e-tron Sportback is a slightly sleeker model of the standard e-tron SUV, with its wide rear profile giving a sportier look while reducing the amount of vertical space in the rear. trunk and rear of the vehicle. places. Adults can still sit comfortably in the back seats, but those taller than six feet will find the roofline will touch the top of their heads, so long drives here can get tiring. Overall, though, the cabin is light and spacious, especially for those sitting in the bow. There is plenty of legroom and a good level of storage. Front passengers have access to two USB ports, a wireless phone charger, two cup holders, and heated seats. For those at the back, meanwhile, there are dedicated temperature control dials, along with two more USB ports for charging devices. Thanks to the fully electric motor and a high level of noise protection, the cab is also a quiet place, even at highway speeds. Image 1 of 10
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(Image credit: TechRadar) Acceleration is good, with the e-tron Sportback 55 able to propel you from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds and it'll keep climbing comfortably, with a top speed of 124mph if you can find a spot. legal to excel so fast. Handling is also responsive, and the quattro all-wheel drive system provides high grip. Audi's in-car entertainment system is excellent with two central touch screens and a large digital screen in the cockpit behind the wheel offering a buffet of options for driver and passenger. Our only real complaint here is that the dual-screen setup in the middle is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. Since it's an electric car, we have to talk about range, and Audi claims the e-tron Sportback can go up to 240 miles on a single charge. In the real world, with a mix of driving styles, we drove between 180 and 190 miles, which means you might find yourself on the charger more often than you'd like. By putting the car on a quick-charge pump, we were able to go from 30 miles of range to 180 miles in just under 50 minutes, with 120 miles on the tank after 30 minutes. The good thing about the e-tron and e-tron Sportback models is that Audi has equipped them with two charging ports, one on the left and one on the right, making it easy to charge the car, just like you. you don't need to think about how you approach it. The standard e-tron is the best buy for most because it offers pretty much everything the Sportback does, for a bit less, but if you want sporty styling to match your premium SUV, then the Audi e-tron Sportback might be just the thing. what do you need. you are looking for. As for those digital mirrors...they take a little getting used to, but they work well and are a good party, plus they could be one of the next big changes to our cars.
- John McCann takes the wheel for another look at the richness of the cars, and the technology within, available today. From super-fast sports cars to tech-packed hatchbacks, he'll show you a variety of makes, models, horsepower, and prices in his regular TR Drives column.