The interior: outstandingly spacious

For the interior, the Audi e-tron Sportback concept draws systematically on the package advantages of a car with battery-electric drive. The energy storage units vanish entirely under the floor, and the electric motors occupy far less space than a combustion engine with all its auxiliaries and voluminous gas tank. Separate electric motors on the front and rear axles means there is no need for a propeller shaft. As a result, the center tunnel console can be positioned independently of any substructure and now appears to hover between the driver and front-passenger seat. This design gives emphasis to the air of light-filled spaciousness, and the apertures in the slender supporting elements can be used as extra storage options.

Furthermore, the horizontal bias of the interior architecture increases the impression of spaciousness. The driver and up to three passengers travel on individual seats; there is a generous amount of legroom and shoulder room at the rear.

The entire interior is focused on the driving area and controls. The large black-panel display surfaces behind the steering wheel and on the center console appear black when inactive, and turn live together with their display elements as soon as the car is started – a design that is reminiscent of the minimalist screen-based cockpits of modern commercial aircraft.

The instrument panel descends towards the passengers in two levels; the continuous wrap-around from door to door is a typical element of an Audi interior.

One new feature is the design of the vertical surface ahead of the front passenger: It incorporates a wide display that can present the navigation data, weather information and the outside temperature. Below the narrow screen, across its entire width, there are small air vents that have a very tangible design and can be intuitively repositioned.

In its normal configuration the luggage compartment of the e-tron Sportback holds 550 liters (19.4 cu ft). With the rear seat backs folded down, the luggage capacity rises to 1,450 liters (51.2 cu ft).

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.