LA MOTOR SHOW: Audi e-tron GT is an electric super-liftback

The all-new Audi e-tron GT has been revealed at the Los Angeles motor show overnight, after its premature appearance in camouflage earlier this week.

Although it’s officially labelled a concept car, the third all-electric e-tron model revealed by Audi will follow next year’s Audi e-tron SUV and Audi e-tron Sportback crossover into production within two years, ahead of first global sales in early 2021.

Presenting strong visual ties to the Audi A7 Sportback, the Audi e-tron GT appears to be yet another five-door liftback, but unlike Audi’s traditional Sportback models and the higher-riding Audi e-tron Sportback it has a separate boot, making it a four-door grand touring ‘coupe’.

Apart from being a low-slung sports car, the key difference with Audi’s latest e-tron model is that it’s based on a different all-electric vehicle architecture dubbed J1 and developed by Volkswagen Group sister brand Porsche, which will debut it under next-year’s all-new Taycan sports sedan due here in mid-2020.

Between the two e-tron SUV models (based on another VW Group EV platform called C-BEV) and the e-tron sports car, Audi is expected to launch its first small electric car -- as soon as next year -- and it's likely to be a Q2-style compact SUV.

Including these four models due on sale by 2021, Audi has promised 12 new electric models by 2025, spread across “the most important markets worldwide” to account for a third of its sales.

Audi says they will include Avant and Sportback body styles and many will be based on yet another joint Audi-Porsche EV platform called Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which will underpin a range of Audi and Porsche models from late 2021.

Not to be confused with VW’s MEB platform, PPE will be “the foundation for multiple Audi model families with all-electric drive covering the high-volume B through D segments”.

If that sounds confusing to you, then join the club. But it's clear that VW Group brands including Audi and Porsche are plotting global EV leadership via dozens of all-new models over the next five years based on at least four dedicated battery-powered vehicle architectures.

The e-tron GT, however, appears set to be Audi’s electric sports flagship, thanks to its flat-floor architecture that provides for “exciting proportions and a low centre of gravity”.

A 434kW battery-electric powertrain – incorporating a permanently excited synchronous motor for each axle, resulting in quattro permanent all-wheel drive and torque vectoring -- could also make it Audi’s quickest EV.

Indeed, like the Porsche Taycan, Audi says the e-tron GT should hit 100km/h in 3.5 seconds on its way to 200km/h in just over 12 seconds and a governed top speed of 240km/h. Although no kerb weight figure has been revealed, that makes it much quick and faster than the e-tron SUV.

At the same time, it will have a WLTP driving range of 400km, thanks to a flat, underfloor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack with an energy content of more than 90kWh.

Audi says the Li-Ion battery’s positioning delivers a centre of gravity comparable with the R8 supercar, while an energy recuperation system comprising an electrohydraulically integrated brake control function is claimed to increase the range by up to 30 per cent.

Also like the Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT will have an 800-volt charging system, which can be fed via cable or contactless induction (Audi Wireless Charging).

With a charging output of 11 kW the Audi e-tron GT can be fully charged overnight, or to 80 per cent (320km) in 20 minutes via a 350kW fast-charger.

Measuring 4.96 metres long, 1.96 metres wide and 1.38 metres high, the Audi e-tron GT concept has a carbon roof and a 100 per cent vegan interior.

There are two cargo compartments – 450 litres under the rear bootlid and another 100 litres under the bonnet.

Synthetic leather is used for the seats and other trim surfaces, fabrics made from recycled fibres are line the seat cushions, microfibre material adorns the headlining and window pillars, and even the deep-pile floor carpet is made from sustainable Econyl yarn, a recycled fiber made from used fishing nets.