NEW AUDI E-TRON GT is a ‘Grand Tourer’ in every sense.
Audi e-tron GT is a ‘Grand Tourer’ in every sense.
Audi is known for its sleek and stylish designs, and the e-tron GT is no exception. It features a sporty, aerodynamic design that is both eye-catching and functional, and it can accommodate up to five occupants in luxurious comfort. The e-tron GT quattro uses the same platform as the Porsche Taycan, and it uses the same 469bhp powertrain as the Taycan 4S, enabling it to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.1-seconds when fully deploying the car’s 523bhp boost mode. The RS variant comes with a 590bhp powertrain that can achieve a mighty 637bhp with the help of its boost mode. Irrespective of which powertrain is chosen, acceleration is quick thanks to near-instantaneous torque delivery.
Recent Update.
Audi made a few changes to the e-tron GT recently to keep it fresh in the face of competition from the Porsche Taycan, and the Tesla Model S, amongst others, and the front grille in the updated model is now painted the same colour as the car for maximum visual impact. With an official WLTP driving range of up to 492km, many drivers may be able to get a full week out of a fully charged battery. The e-tron GT can be fully charged in around 11 hours via a domestic wallbox charger, and by using a public DC fast charging station, you can go from 5% to 80% in around 23 minutes or gain about 192km of driving range in as little as 10 minutes.
Tech-Forward Design.
The interior of the e-tron GT is luxurious, with high-quality materials used throughout, along with a tech-forward design. Audi’s cutting-edge technology is well integrated into the e-tron GT, offering advanced infotainment, driver-assistance systems, and connectivity options. The cabin is deceptively spacious, offering sufficient legroom and headroom for the driver and up to 4 passengers. The front seats are impressively supportive, and the low-slung driving position is reminiscent of that experienced in a sports car, while ample adjustment options ensure that long drives are completed in a comfortable and composed manner. Few luxury EVs have an interior as handsome, luxurious, and well-constructed as the new e-tron GT. Overall fit and finish is excellent, and a wide array of sustainable materials are used throughout the cabin. The e-tron GT’s infotainment system is simple to operate, especially compared to the touch-screen-heavy systems found in many high-end EVs. The menu interface is easy to navigate, input response times are quick, and the display boasts sharp graphics too.
Test Car Details.
My Audi e-tron GT quattro test car was finished in striking Tango Red Metallic paintwork with upgraded 21” trapezoidal-design two-tone alloy wheels. Key standard features include 19” Platinum Grey aero design wheels, LED headlamps with dynamic indicators, exterior mirrors in body colour, exterior trim in black, panoramic glass sunroof, heated front sport seats, electrically adjustable front seats, 3-spoke leather multifunction flat-bottom steering wheel, windscreen with acoustic glazing, door sills with aluminium inlays, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, interior inlays in Graphite Grey, Audi Sound System, MMI Navigation Plus, heat pump, 3-zone air-conditioning, and Lane Departure Warning, along with a host of standard safety, security, comfort and convenience features. In addition to the upgraded alloy wheels fitted to my test car, other optional extras fitted include black exterior mirrors, black styling package with black emblems, privacy glass, Comfort Key, 360-degree cameras, Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators, and electrically adjustable, heated and auto-dimming rear-view mirrors. The e-tron GT is a truly exciting car to drive and, thanks to its low centre of gravity and added road grip from the standard quattro all-wheel-drive system, the handling is sharp at all times. Engineers at Audi provided the e-tron GT with a well-tuned suspension, ensuring a perfect balance between sporty driving dynamics and comfort. The two electric motors (one on each axle) are powered by a 93.4kWh battery and they produce 469bhp (523bhp in Boost mode) and 640Nm of torque, so getting to motorway speeds in a swift fashion or overtaking slow-moving traffic is never an issue. Power continues to come on strong – even at maximum Irish motorway speed limits – and one can only imagine just how amazing the car would perform on a German autobahn with no speed limit, especially given the fact that the top speed achievable is a whopping 245km/h. The exceptionally linear power delivery is transferred to the road courtesy of a 2-speed transmission that swaps cogs efficiently and seamlessly, and this helps with those awe-inspiring launches when the Dynamic drive mode is selected. The e-tron GT was designed by Marc Lichte (head of Audi Design) and he refers to it as ‘the most beautiful car that he has ever designed’. I am sure the Audi engineering teams involved in the development of the e-tron GT are equally proud of their achievements too.
Verdict & Pricing.
The e-tron GT is a fascinating addition to the brilliant Audi range, and it combines all the comfort you could ask for from a Grand Tourer (GT) with the inherent benefits an EV powertrain brings. With its striking exterior design, gorgeous interior, blistering acceleration, excellent handling characteristics and a smooth ride quality, the e-tron GT is an exceptionally easy car to like. The new Audi e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT quattro are priced from €108,345 and €148,345 respectively and are available to order now.
Visit www.audi.ie for further information.
