Profit on many levels
The Audi E-tron GT has been renewed. Audi’s sporty electric flagship is three years old and that means that the fast EV is being refined both visually and technically. And fast, that is. Especially in its latest top form. The Audi E-tron GT is now also available as RS E-tron GT Performance with a system power of no less than 925 hp! But there’s more. The upgraded E-tron GT can also charge faster and have a greater range.
Three years ago we were introduced to the Audi E-tron GT, the technical brother of the Porsche Taycan. The Taycan was renewed at the beginning of this year and now it is the Audi E-tron GT that is presented in a new form. Visually, the facelift of Audi’s electric top model doesn’t have much to offer, but technically it does.
Audi S E-tron GT
The Audi E-tron GT was previously available simply as the E-tron GT and the sportier E-tron GT Competition, versions with 476 hp and a 93 kWh battery. Above this was the RS E-tron GT with a system power of 600 hp and the same 93 kWh battery. From now on the line-up will look different. The 476 hp strong unnamed versions are not returning for the time being. The delivery range now starts with the Audi S E-tron GT. It has two electric motors with a combined power of 679 hp and can therefore reach a speed of 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.4 seconds. Above this, Audi parks the RS E-tron GT, but it is much stronger than before. The two electric motors now deliver 856 hp instead of 600 hp. So 256 extra electric horses. This means the RS e-tron reaches 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds. Fiercely? Certainly, but the RS E-tron GT is immediately downgraded to sub-topper despite its significant increase in power.
How did that happen? Well: from now on there is also an Audi RS E-tron GT Performance. It also has two electric motors, but with 925 hp they are even more powerful. The E-tron GT Performance immediately enters the history books as the strongest Audi ever to enter series production. It zooms from a standstill to a speed of 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. Its top speed of 250 km/h is equal to that of the RS E-tron without Performance addition. The braking system has been renewed and has, among other things, larger brake discs to properly calm the Performance version again. Carbon ceramic discs are optionally available.
Audi RS E-tron GT Performance
More interesting technical news concerns the battery pack. The 93 kWh battery will be replaced by a new one with a capacity of 97 kWh (105 kWh gross). The package has a higher energy density than the previous one, mainly thanks to improved cooling and because it has a different composition. In addition, the package is also 9 kilos lighter and now weighs 625 kilos. The maximum range: 609 kilometers. The updated Audi E-tron GT can also recover energy faster. The recuperation capacity has increased considerably: from 290 to 400 kW. Fast charging is possible with up to 320 kW, previously with up to 270 kW. Relevant gains have been achieved here too. Two-chamber air suspension is standard on every E-tron GT. Those who pay extra can get an adaptive suspension that keeps the E-tron GT as flat as possible both during acceleration and when cornering. Four-wheel steering is again available as an option.
Distinguish
The different engine versions can be distinguished from each other by their external differences. For example, the Audi S E-tron GT has a black ‘mask’ around its closed grille. The lower edge of the bumper is painted in body color, as are the ‘air curtains’ placed on either side of the front bumper. The diffuser at the bottom of the buttocks of the Audi S E-tron GT is equipped with an element in body color. You can recognize the RS E-tron GT models by, among other things, the closed grille with a coarse honeycomb pattern. You will also find an L-shaped insert lower in the front bumper of those RS versions. The diffuser at the bottom of the rear is decorated with a vertical red reflector.
Audi RS e-tron GT Performance
Interior
In the E-tron GT we find a new steering wheel, one that is flattened at both the top and bottom and that in the RS versions is enriched with additional buttons in red. The 12 o’clock mark you see in the photos is an option, by the way. Audi brings further new furniture to its top EV. The seats of the RS E-tron GT also have a massage function. The layout of the instruments has been revised and now also displays the maximum charging speed. Just like the Taycan, the E-tron GT now also has – as an option – a glass roof whose degree of transparency can be adjusted at the touch of a button.
More detailed technical specifications will follow later, as will the Dutch prices.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl