Audi E-Tron GT: price, data, pictures, market launch

Elon Musk was the first to understand it: electric cars sell through emotion. The models from Palo Alto are not only progressive, but above all cool, strong and fast. Audi now wants to get its piece of the pie and is working closely with the brand that has subscribed to cool, powerful, fast cars in the VW Group: Audi and Porsche are jointly developing the platform for sporty top models with compact battery packs and low roof lines. On the J1 base, the Porsche Taycan will debut in 2019, Audi is now following suit with the E-Tron GT.

Technically, the two models are close to each other. Audi is placing the five-door at roughly eye level with the conventional A7: as a sporty coupé sedan that scratches the top of the automotive class. This applies to the price as well as to the floor space: The E-Tron GT measures around five meters in length and 1.96 meters in width. At 1.41 meters, the Audi is even slightly flatter than the Porsche and offers less space in the rear. So that the passengers have room for their feet at all, the designers have made recesses in the battery pack. Porsche speaks of “foot garages”, Audi saves a name for the packaging trick.

The most powerful production Audi

Overall, the Audi E-Tron GT feels tight and sporty, but Audi does not focus on hard lap scrubbing. Rather, the E-Tron GT should be a very fast touring car, similar to Tesla’s Model S – only more sporty. The industry traditionally calls such cars Gran Turismo. The necessary power is provided by two permanent magnet synchronous motors, one per axis. They produce 350 kW (476 PS), which is suspicious for a super sports car, and even 390 kW (530 PS) in boost for two and a half seconds. The electrical technology allows significantly more power. The sporty top model Audi RS E-Tron GT has 440 kW (598 PS) and a short-term 646 PS. This makes the Audi RS E-Tron GT the most powerful series Audi ever built.

In the auto quartet he would still not win all categories: A top speed of more than 300 km / h would severely limit the range, which clashes with the basic idea of ​​a “touring limousine”. Audi therefore caps the propulsion of the E-Tron GT at 245 km / h. Even the RS model is only allowed to drive insignificantly faster at 250 km / h. Never mind: Tesla also relies on quick acceleration with the Model S. E-Tron GT and RS E-Tron GT sprint from zero to 100 km / h in 4.1 and 3.3 seconds, respectively. The RS hangs with it Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera clear, but has an energetic advantage: When it brakes again, the powerful electric motors help with decelerating and charging the battery with an output of up to 250 kW.

Long range and fast charging

In an electric car in the upper price range, luxury is defined by range and quick charging capability – both together allow long journeys. Audi has packed both versions of the E-Tron GT with 93 kWh gross storage capacity. Of this, the motors have 85 kWh available. According to Audi, this is sufficient for a range of 488 or 472 kilometers. Provided you don’t let it crash too much at the wheel.

The fast Audi can be quickly reloaded so that it can go further. If the column allows it, the E-Tron GT can follow up a 100 km range in five minutes with 270 kW direct current. It goes from five to 80 percent charge level in just over 20 minutes. This is the current production car record. The E-Tron GT stands a little longer at the home wallbox: the E-Tron GT initially charges with 11 kW of alternating current, later up to 22 kW should be possible.

The technical brother of the Taycan

Audi E-Tron GT and Porsche Taycan are both based on the Group’s J1 construction kit and are conceptually close to one another. Motors, gears, differentials, axles, batteries and charging technology are the same. The small differences in performance are regulated by software. When it comes to bodywork and coordination, the sister brands go their own way. Porsche makes the Taycan more sporty and snappy, Audi focuses on comfort and long-distance suitability. To this end, the Ingolstadt-based company is primarily adapting the chassis with optional air suspension and the steering. The Audi also has its own synthetic engine sound. Audi designs the interior completely itself. It consists partly of recycled materials. Interesting: The models do not share the assembly line either. Porsche produces the Taycan at the main plant in Zuffenhausen, Audi the E-Tron GT at Audi Sport in Neckarsulm.

Audi E-Tron GT: Prices from 99,800 euros

For the first time, Audi is launching the RS model in a new series at the same time as the basic variant. Deliveries will start in spring 2021. The basic equipment includes a heat pump, LED light, an adaptive chassis and a three-zone air conditioning system. The basic price of the sporty e-glider is 99,800 euros. The RS model costs significantly more at 138,200 euros. In addition to the extra power, there is a differential lock on the rear axle, an air suspension, 20-inch rims and more powerful brake discs with a coating of tungsten carbide. The additional equipment available includes laser lights, ceramic brakes, head-up display, sports sound and all-wheel steering.

In the past few years, the E-Tron logo has been stuck to some Audi models. The first Audi to use this abbreviation without a nomenclature addition is the SUV E-Tron in 2018. However, the E-Tron GT has little in common with the model. The SUV is built relatively quickly on a conventional platform that Audi laboriously converts for the electric drive. The E-Tron GT is now the first Audi based on a specially developed electric platform. Since there is no space available for extensive combustion engine technology, there is space for additional luggage. Under the long front hood, an 85 liter storage compartment can hold the charging cables and small items. In the rear, the E-Tron GT can carry 405 liters of luggage – quite a decent value for a Gran Turismo.