Mean and green Audi e-tron GT unveiled

Audi has dropped the virtual shroud to reveal its latest EV, the Audi e-tron GT, which in high-spec RS form is billed as the most powerful series production car in the brand’s history.

We drove a near-production prototype version of the Audi RS e-tron GT in Greece late last year, and now the German prestige brand has confirmed that two powertrain variants will be offered at launch: the 440kW RS and a 350kW model at entry level.

In boost mode, the RS e-tron GT can call on up to 475kW (for 2.5 seconds), while the base GT can muster 390kW.

Peak torque is 830Nm for the RS, or 630Nm for the standard GT quattro.

Both variants are expected to be made available in Australia, hopefully later in 2021, but local details are still to be nailed down.

Audi will begin rolling out both variants of the e-tron GT in global markets from the second quarter of this year. Prices are set at €99,800 ($A156,021) in Europe for the standard e-tron GT or €138,200 ($A216,054) for the RS e-tron GT.

You can expect to add a premium on those figures for Australia, but the e-tron GT is likely to be a bit more affordable than the related Porsche Taycan, which is priced from $190,400 plus on-road costs for the 4S and $268,500 for the Turbo.

The opening e-tron GT variants owe some debt to Audi Sport, which has been involved in the development of the model “from the very beginning”, in the words of Audi spokesman Christian Hartmann.

“The two vehicles are identical in most cases, in terms of technology,” he said.

“Broadly speaking, the e-tron GT quattro and the RS e-tron GT only differ in terms of performance and their standard equipment.”

Hartmann then went on to describe the RS variant as “the strongest Audi we’ve ever created”.

Audi claims the e-tron GT has a range of 488km (NEDC), while the RS version will go 472km before needing a recharge.

‘Shift’ paddles on the steering column provide two levels of braking energy recuperation, but left to their own devices the e-tron GT and the RS variant will automatically make the transition to Audi Drive Select’s ‘Dynamic’ mode for optimal recharging on the overrun.

The e-tron models will also ‘sail’, coasting along without reducing speed or expending significant energy to maintain momentum, provided the terrain permits and the driver refrains from braking.

If the driver brakes no harder than 0.3g, the motors alone will slow the vehicle, recovering as much as 265kW in doing so.

As with the Audi e-tron SUV, the e-tron GT features a sophisticated thermal management system for its 85kWh (net) lithium-ion battery pack.

Four coolant circuits can be coupled to the car’s climate control system for additional cooling when driving or when the vehicle is being recharged. The ultra-fast chargers can heat the battery to around 50 degrees Celsius, but the thermal management system ensures the heat build-up never becomes excessive.

Audi also hives off waste heat from the battery to keep the cabin warm in colder months, saving energy that would be otherwise used for the thermo-electric heating element.

Like the Porsche Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT relies on 800V technology for faster recharging, the manufacturer claiming that the e-tron GT is rated at 270kW from a DC ultra-fast charger and can add 100km of range in just five minutes from a 350kW charger.

In addition, however, the e-tron GT can recharge from an 11kW home recharging system or a public 22kW destination charger – plus fast (150kW) DC chargers too.

The RS e-tron GT rides on a three-chamber air suspension system and the underpinnings also include all-wheel steering and a rear differential lock for enhanced traction. Audi offers these three items at extra cost for the entry-level e-tron GT quattro.

Alloy wheels will be available in sizes from 19 to 21 inches in diameter, and for brakes there’s an option of ceramic disc rotors, measuring up to 420mm.

At just under five metres in length (4.99m), the e-tron GT is also nearly two metres wide (1.99m) and 1.41 metres high. It sits on a 2.9m wheelbase, and the luggage compartment will accommodate 405 litres.

Sharing its platform and mechanicals with the Porsche Taycan, the e-tron GT nevertheless embraces distinctive Audi design cues for a drag coefficient of just 0.24Cd.

Contributing to that aero efficiency are intelligent cooling intakes, ‘air curtains’ for wheel-arch ventilation, an optimised underbody, and carefully styled mirrors and rear flanks.

“The engineers developed a fantastic package so that we were able to visualise our quattro ‘muscles’ on top of all four wheels – strongly,” said Audi designer Philipp Römers.

“We almost talk about a quattro sculpture, and this … is a pure embodiment of performance.

“Aerodynamics, a low drag coefficient, is quite important for the range of an electric car, obviously, so we were able to contribute – big time – because the overall proportions of the car are already quite good for a low drag coefficient.”

Inside the Audi e-tron GT, the fixtures and fittings include three seat selections.

For the basic e-tron GT, the front sports seats are eight-way power-adjustable and are trimmed in a combination of a synthetic and pearl Nappa leather.

Going one step further, the RS e-tron GT gains 14-way electric adjustment and seat heating.

The full 18-way power adjustment with pneumatically-adjustable side bolsters, climate control and optional massage function are available as an option for both variants.

A 12.3-inch instrument cluster features Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system, and the 10.1-inch infotainment display is a touch-screen.

There’s switchgear on the multi-function flat-bottomed steering wheel to select different data for display in the instrument cluster. Voice control offers another means of operating infotainment functions.

Safety features run to autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, 360-degree camera vision and night vision assist. The e-tron GT’s specification speaks volumes for the prospective buyer.

“The Audi e-tron GT customers are highly demanding, performance-orientated car enthusiasts who value sustainability, progressive design and progressive [technology],” said Audi e-tron product marketing exec Sven Janssen.

“Most of them are middle-aged, highly educated and have a higher monthly income. They also can afford more than just one car. In terms of performance, they prefer strong, powerful but smooth acceleration. Kind of intelligent performance.”