Audi e-tron Sportback – long-term review

According to Audi, Future is an attitude. Now that’s clear, we are delighted to welcome the Audi e-tron Sportback 55 Quattro to the Top Gear garage to understand precisely what attitude we need to adopt.

Let’s start with the design. The Sportback looks are supposed to be, er, more sporting, but to be honest, I prefer the regular e-tron, the design feels better resolved. That said the revised rear end does deliver increased aero efficiency and a whopping six extra miles of range (240 WLTP claimed, 170–180 real world) and only loses minimal bootspace. So it’s a purely visual choice. But despite only seating five the Sportback weighs in at 2.5 tonnes, thanks to its 95kWh battery pack. It’s 15cm shorter than a Model X (seven seats) and a foot longer than the Jaguar I-Pace.

The more observant of you will have noticed the swanky rearview cameras, a £1,250 option. They project onto screens inside, and take a bit of getting used to as they are set below your usual reference point.

Having spent the first 100 miles going, ‘oooh look virtual mirror’, and then failing to check what the screen was showing, I’m finally getting used to them. The wide angle view and night visibility have impressed so far.

The e-tron has Audi’s usual blend of well crafted materials and cutting edge connectivity, and is a thoroughly pleasant place to spend time. The addition of the comfort and sound pack (£1,895), acoustic double glazing (£525) and panoramic roof (£1,475), plus a few other options, take the OTR from £79,185 to £89,470. That's almost as hefty as the kerbweight, which is very much the wrong side of 2.5 tonnes. Ouch.

Audi has big aspirations in the electric space and with the e-tron GT Concept becoming a reality in 2021, this car feels like an early adopter rather than a truly radical EV option. I can’t help thinking it’s all a bit EV MkI and we have come to expect more from Audi. In our time with the big Audi EV, can it challenge our attitude?