It goes without saying that Audi have produced some spectacular prestige cars over time and that has carried over into their range of electric vehicles (EV). The company offer a selection of great electric alternatives but for those who like a sophisticated grand touring car, the pinnacle has to be the e-tron GT. It’s available in a standard (this car is anything but standard) or as a more hardcore RS version; a designation that appears also on Audi’s internal combustion sporting models.
On The Outside
The exterior of the Audi e-tron GT is a work of art thanks to great design and balanced proportions. With a long wheelbase and wide track, large wheels and a flat roofline, this is one of those cars that look fast standing still.
Weight is kept to a minimum through an aluminium structure and despite its apparent size, the e-tron GT is just 1.41 metres high. This is thanks to recesses in the high-voltage battery: The front passengers can place their feet in them, which allows them to sit in a low yet comfortable position. Every detail of the exterior design is harmonious and very typically Audi with powerful quattro blisters and wheels, through to the large diffuser at the rear end.
Customers can choose from nine paint colours and two styling packages. The roof is made of glass as standard, and of light carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) as an option. Through the air, the drag coefficient is a scant 0.24 thanks to active elements that manage the aerodynamics. Two controllable inlets supply the front brakes and the thermal management with cooling air as required. The rear spoiler extends to two positions depending on the driving situation. The fully panelled underbody, which flows into a broad diffuser, and the aero blades with which some wheels are equipped, complete the aerodynamic concept.
On The Inside
The interior of the Audi e-tron GT quattro offers the ambiance of a classic gran turismo cruiser. Separated by a wide centre console, the driver and front passenger sit in a sporty and low position. The interior is airy, and the instrument panel is based on Audi’s “monoposto” design and so faces toward the driver. The luggage compartment in the rear has a volume of 405 litres with further space of 81 litres where the engine used to be. The RS variant with a Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System as standard, offers 350 litres of boot (trunk) space.
Aside from the premium fit and finish, sportiness and comfort, the watchword here is sustainability. The floor carpet and floor mats are made of recycled material, such as old fishing nets, as standard. The sport seats ‘plus’ with 14-way adjustment, are available with two covers, both of which are also made largely from recycled polyester. For those who like their comfort old-school, there’s the option of high-quality leather or inlays made of silk-matt carbon. Those who are looking for even more individual solutions need to study the extensive options list.
Like all Audi models, the e-tron GT is well connected to the outside world. The displays and controls operate via the digital Audi virtual cockpit that is controlled via the multifunction steering wheel and via the central MMI touch display. The third control level is the natural language control, which also accesses the ‘knowledge of the cloud’.
The MMI navigation ‘plus’ brings the online services from Audi connect on board. One of these is the e-tron route planner, which calculates the charging stops such that the driver reaches their destination as quickly as possible. A head-up display, the Audi phone box, and the Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System (standard in the RS model) are available as options.
The driver assist systems are subdivided into the Tour, City, and Park packages, which are combined in the assist system ‘plus’. The (remote) park assist plus manoeuvres the e-tron GT into and out of a parking space at the push of a button. The driver can remain inside the car or get out beforehand; in this case, they start and supervise via the myAudi app.
On The Road
With the equivalent of 646PS (637 BHP and 475 KW) available to the sporting driver in boost mode, the more powerful variant RS e-tron GT must be one of the most powerful road-going cars ever produced by the German brand. In the traffic light sprint to 62mph the e-Tron will arrive in just 3.3 seconds; not bad for a grand tourer. There’s a regular e-tron GT which is a little less powerful.
The reason for this phenomenal performance is under the skin: There’s two electric motors driving all four wheels augmented in handling by adaptive air suspension, which in turn is also complemented by all-wheel-steering. This EV is a benchmark for not only exceptional agility but also outstanding long-distance comfort. A generous driving range of up to 282-313 miles (depending upon both which model is selected and of course the driver!) is possible making this car fine for most daily driving distances without further charging. A voltage level of 800 volts enables fast direct current (DC) charging with a maximum of 270 kW. Under ideal conditions, it takes only five minutes to charge for a distance of around 100 kilometres.
This very special EV (and other Audi cars of course) can be imported to New Zealand, Kenya and other global destinations through the MHH International comprehensive and long-established VAT-free service. Why not get in touch to find out more?
