Audi e-tron S Sportback, left, and Audi e-tron S models / Courtesy of Audi Korea

By Kim Jae-heun

Audi is spurring efforts to target the domestic imported electric vehicle (EV) market by expanding its lineup of e-tron vehicles, which are pure electric cars that combine the German carmaker's technology and futuristic design with dynamic driving performance and convenient functions.

Audi's four rings logo / Courtesy of Audi Korea

The German automaker launched its first EV, the e-tron 55 Quattro, in Korea in July 2020 and introduced other models here later, including the e-tron Sportback, e-tron GT Quattro and Audi RS e-tron GT. The models vary from sport utility vehicles (SUV) to high-performance models, offering more choices to local customers based on their driving preferences.

Audi e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback are high-performance versions of the German automaker's e-tron series, which adopted three electric motors for the first time in the world among mass-produced EVs. They boast a 435-horsepower maximum output and a torque of 82.4 kilograms per meter.

Their top speed reaches up to 210 kilometers per hour and it only takes 5.1 seconds for the two models to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour.

Both e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback have a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 95 kilowatt per hours, mounted low in both vehicles to help balance out the axle load and lower their center of gravity.

Audi Q4 e-tron is the first pure electric compact SUV introduced by the German automaker and was unveiled in April 2021. It became the most popular electric vehicle made by Audi with sales totaling 21,098 units in the global market.

In Korea, the Q4 e-tron was unveiled at the Seoul Mobility Show in 2021.

"Under the Vorsprung 2030 strategy, Audi has a clear plan for the future of electricity and digitalization," Audi AG CEO Markus Duesmann said. "Last year, Audi proved it is on the right track after impressively presenting its business model that pursues carbon-neutrality and transition to connected mobility."