Audi reveals e-tron tri-motor S models

Audi will produce a performance tri-motor S version of the e-tron and e-tron Sportback.

It says they will be the first EVs worldwide with three motors in mass production, making the e-tron sharper, more agile and more dynamic.

“The three electric motors, two of which are located on the rear axle, together provide 370kW of boost power and 973Nm of torque. This allows the two purely electrically driven models to accelerate to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds.”

Audi says intelligent drive control raises vehicle safety and dynamic handling.

In normal driving mode, only the rear electric motors work. The front drive is unpowered but switches itself on if the driver needs more power, Audi says.

It also switches on predictively if the grip declines when friction values are low and during rapid cornering.

The electric all-wheel drive is complemented by electrical torque vectoring, resulting in more agile driving and self-steering characteristics, and higher cornering speed.

The e-tron Sportback is coming to the US later this year, but Audi didn’t confirm timing for the tri-motor S version, Electrek reports.

Cost is unknown too.

The Sportback’s market introduction in Europe is scheduled for March/April 2020.

The Verge reports the S announcement comes as parent company Volkswagen says it has asked Audi to “take the lead for research and development” for the entire Volkswagen Group.

It says Tesla is working on a three-motor powertrain called ‘Plaid’ that will power the Model S, X, second-generation Roadster, and probably even the Cybertruck.

Audi tells The Verge the S versions will use the same 95kWh battery as the standard e-tron and e-tron Sportback but whether that adds more to the present range of around 328km isn’t yet known.

Meanwhile, a reported delay in e-tron production was short-lived and centred around supply timing as Audi switches to its next model called the ‘50’, Audi New Zealand general manager Dean Sheed says during a visit to the German factory.

The 50 is a cheaper and lighter entry level version of Audi’s flagship electric SUV.

Sheed says global demand still exceeds battery supply and that most brands with EVs will be affected to some degree.