Audi is expanding its electric range with the E-tron GT. A flashy designed GT that shares its basis with the Porsche Taycan. In addition to a (provisional) basic version, we also immediately receive the RS E-tron GT.
Highlights
- E-tron GT directly also as RS
- 530 hp (base) or 646 hp (RS)
- 488 km range
- Fast charging: 100 km in 5 minutes
What started in 2018 with the controversial E-tron GT Concept and became more concrete at the end of last year with a camouflaged pre-production model now degenerates into the E-Tron GT and RS E-tron GT. A fully electric four-door that delivers performance that makes many sports cars with a combustion engine jealous. That certainly applies to the RS version, but more about that later.
Audi E-tron GT
E-tron GT
For the time being, the basis lies with the regular E-tron GT. As can be seen at a glance, Audi has only refined the concept version in detail. The appearance is therefore no longer a big surprise, but many will undoubtedly find that no problem. The 4.99 meter long and only 1.41 meter high E-tron GT is a striking appearance and besides the aesthetic aspect of the design, the aerodynamic part is also good. The E-tron GT has a Cw value of only 0.24. Not a superfluous luxury that it cuts through the air efficiently, because with about 2,300 kilos, the E-tron GT, equipped with two electric motors, is certainly not a light car.
Thanks to a solid power, that weight must nevertheless be properly displaced. The E-tron GT, fitted as standard on 19-inch wheels, has 476 electric horsepower and 630 Nm of torque. With a boost function you can boost that to 530 hp for 2.5 seconds. With that on, the E-tron GT shoots to a speed of 100 km / h in 4.1 seconds. At 245 km / h the cake is gone. The power is distributed over all four wheels and a two-speed transmission ensures that it is built up extra efficiently. Incidentally, the E-tron GT only drives with front-wheel drive when driving quietly and with sufficient grip. If driving is more sporty and / or extra grip is needed, the motor on the rear axle also switches on and the rear wheels participate. When the throttle is released, the car ‘sails’ and with braking you regain energy. The braking is even done for a large part (up to 0.3 G deceleration) by the motor (s), with which, according to Audi, up to 265 kW of power can be recovered.
Anyone familiar with the technology of the Porsche Taycan knows that a lot can be expected from the recharging of the E-tron GT. The Audi has the same 800 Volt technology on board, which contributes to the fact that the battery pack with a net capacity of 86 kWh can recharge 100 km range in just 5 minutes on a 270 kW fast charger. You should be able to charge from 5 to 80 percent in 23 minutes. If you hang it on DC power at home, you can initially charge it with 11 kW. 22 kW will follow at a later stage, Techzle learned at the presentation of the E-tron GT. According to Audi, the battery is full in 5 hours. If everything is at 100 percent, you should be able to get 488 km according to the WLTP cycle.
Audi E-tron GT
Interior
The whole can be operated from an interior that unmistakably comes from Audi and perhaps looks a bit less spectacular than the exterior suggests. Recognizability trumps, but it looks fine. A 10.1-inch infotainment screen, centrally located in the dashboard, runs Audi’s latest version of the MMI system, which can also be operated with a voice assistant as standard. Numerous services can be called up or purchased additionally via Audi Connect. Optional things are Alexa voice assistant and navigation with Google Earth. Furthermore, a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation provides you with all relevant driving information.
The E-tron GT is a four-seater and according to Audi you should also be able to take a generous seat on the two seats in the back. To achieve this, Audi has incorporated the battery pack as deep into the ground as possible. The sporty seats are covered with imitation leather as desired. No more real leather, because Audi says it prefers a ‘leather-free’ future and has therefore developed artificial leather based on recycled material. Completely contemporary.
Audi RS E-tron GT
RS
As mentioned, the E-tron GT is also directly on the market as RS. Audi Sport uses a somewhat different approach than we are used to. With the E-tron GT no bulky body or larger inlets; no, the RS E-tron GT distinguishes itself on the outside by little more than RS logos and four dark rings in its grille from the regular version. “The E-tron is already beautiful and wide enough. The RS sets itself apart with its performance, ”was the brief statement from Audi to Techzle at the presentation of the E-tron GT. Remarkable, but in itself it is quite right that the performance is of a different order. In the RS version, the two electric motors together deliver no less than 598 hp and 830 Nm. With the boost function, it temporarily reaches 646 hp. Good for a 0-100 km / h acceleration that takes only 3.3 seconds. These are numbers for which you depend on the Taycan Turbo at Porsche. Nevertheless, the Taycan Turbo S still has a sufficient advantage over its Audi cousin.
In the RS, the same battery pack serves as in the regular version, but there are indeed technical things that the RS has as standard and the ‘normal’ E-tron GT does not. There is an electronically controlled differential lock at the rear, three-chamber air suspension, ceramic brakes and adaptive dampers. It also has 20-inch or optional 21-inch wheels, where the standard size is 19-inch. In addition, the RS E-tron GT has matrix LED headlights as standard and you can sign up for Audi Laser Light. Four-wheel steering is available as an option. Incidentally, these things are also available for the regular E-tron GT, but with the RS you do not only step in at the same high power level.
Audi RS E-tron GT
Broader range
In May, Audi Netherlands expects the first E-trons GT in the showroom and that will be the provisional basic version and the RS. Because of the large gap between those two versions, it is obvious that one more will come in between. Perhaps that will be the S E-tron GT, with a base power of roughly 550 hp. It is also certainly not inconceivable that there will be a version below the provisional entry-level. After all, Porsche recently unveiled a Taycan with only rear-wheel drive, there is a good chance that Audi will also follow that example. In that case, the starting price will probably be below € 100,000, but for the variants presented now you can logically count on amounts above that. The exact prices will be announced in the run-up to the market launch.