A couple of months after customer deliveries of the 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback kicked off in the UK, Carfection had the opportunity to put the all-electric SUV through its paces.
UK buyers can choose between three distinct variants. The entry-level model is the 55 quattro S line, while sitting above it is the 55 quattro Launch Edition. The range is topped out by the 55 quattro Vorsprung, although as the ‘55’ badge in the name suggests, there are no powertrain differences between the three.
Read More: 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback Lands In The UK From £79,900
As such, all come with a 95 kWh battery pack that powers a pair of electric motors which produce 355 hp and 414 lb-ft (561 Nm) of torque. The SUV does also features a ‘Boost Mode’ that increases those figures to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft (664 Nm) of torque, allowing Audi’s EV to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.5 seconds.
While the E-Tron Sportback features a Quattro all-wheel drive system, it operates primarily in rear-wheel drive mode and the front axle is engaged only when needed, giving the SUV a nice rear-wheel drive bias.
One interesting driving quirk of the E-Tron Sportback is the fact that, while it has plenty of horsepower and torque, it doesn’t fire off the line and push you into the back of your seat like so many other electric vehicles. Instead, Audi has calibrated the electric motors to provide a more gradual power band that adds to the pleasant driving experience.