Audi joins the electric fun at a slightly lower cost than its Porsche counterpart.
Audi is the leader in innovation. Audi, the German brand that is renowned for its Quattro all wheel-drive system and bizarre obsession with turbocharged five cylinder engines. These engines were also responsible for the wider industry’s fascination for LED running lights. Now, the company is moving in a different direction: all electric, high-performance motoring.
Audi is not the first to venture into zero-emission vehicles. There have been a few R8-based EVs. But the E-Tron GT and RS E-Tron GT are the latest offerings. The Porsche Taycan and its RS cousin, the E-Tron GT (and its RS counterpart) mark a new approach to performance EVs.
Fast and familiar
The E-Tron GT sounds very similar to our detailed look at the Porsche Taycan. The battery pack is 93.4-kilowatts-hour and features an 800-volt electrical architecture that allows fast recharging – 5 to 80 percent capacity in just 23 minutes. There are also an electric motor on each of the axles, as well as a rear-mounted, two-speed automatic. Base models have 469 horsepower (350 kilowatts), 464 poundfeet (630 Newton meters), while the RS model thunders down the road silently with 590 hp (405 kW) and 612 lb-830 Nm. The GT’s overboost function temporarily boosts output to 522 hp and 637 horsepower, similar to the E-Tron crossover.
The standard E-Tron GT is available in two trims. It can reach 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and carries on to 152 mph. The RS model, which runs in 3.1, will reach 155 mph. Critics will quickly point out that the E-Tron GT, apart from the single-motor rear-drive model, is slower than any other Porsche Taycan version to 60 mph.
The E-Tron GT sounds very similar to what you heard in our detailed review of the Porsche Taycan.
The 4S hits 60 in 3.8 seconds while the Turbo takes 3.0 seconds and the Turbo S in 2.6 seconds. The RS beats the Model S long range’s 3.1 second sprint. However, nothing at Audi or Porsche can match the claimed sub-2 seconds sprint of the Model S Plaid.
Tesla stans are likely to criticize the E-Tron GT for its promised range. Audi estimates that the standard model will travel 238 miles on a single charge while the RS will go 232. These estimates could be significantly lower than the actual range, but Porsche’s experience is a good indicator. After all, the Taycan 4S has a history that covers far more than its 227-mile EPA estimate.
The E-Tron GT has an air suspension, similar to the Taycan. This setup is Audi’s claim to have 60 percent more power than the E-Tron Sportback and E-Tron Crossover. The ride height can be adjusted by the driver over a distance of 1.7 inches (0.9 and 0.8 down). The E-Tron GT has four-wheel steering, while the RS comes with it. However, we wouldn’t hesitate to order a car with this impressive arrangement. If Audi’s other products are any indications, E-Trons equipped with four-wheel steering will be much more enjoyable to drive. It offers greater agility and higher-speed stability.
Compensation for the Exterior
Audi’s interior design is a classic. However, the brand has made a significant transition over the last few years. The new center stack features twin touchscreen displays and all-digital clusters of instruments. These display units join the high-quality materials with eye-pleasing shapes. The E-TronGT flips the script by pointing the 12.3-inch touchscreen at the driver and replacing it with a smaller unit with physical buttons for climate control.
The standard E-Tron GT interior is not yet available. However, the RS has the usual sporting accoutrements such as aggressive sport seats and plenty of carbon-fiber trim. All models come standard with a leather-free interior. However, if you need the leather-free interior of your zero-emission car, Audi can accommodate you.
Functionally, the start button (and the gear selector) are located on the center console, rather than the dash on the E-Tron. The overall layout of the cabin feels much more traditional than the Taycan’s screen-intensive Taycan. Many of the switches are familiar from other Audi products. This is a positive thing. You can expect high-quality, well-damped controls.
Audi couldn’t escape the Porsche exterior looks, however. The E-Tron GT’s two ends feature dramatic (and perhaps more appealing) designs. The profile view in the middle smacks Stuttgart’s electric sedan. Although the Taycan’s side view is excellent, it is disappointing for those who want an Audi-style electric sedan. It rides on standard 20-inch wheels – RS models can be ordered with 21s. Matrix-LED headlights are also available as an option.
A Lower Price
The E-Tron GT starts at $99,000. Premium Plus comes in base, $107,100 Prestige and RS, respectively. Prices do not include a $7500 federal income-tax credit which Audi still qualifies. Although the prices may seem high, there are reasons to believe that the E-Tron GT will be a better value than its Porsche counterpart. This is because Audi’s options list is significantly smaller than Porsches. It relies on fixed trim levels and a few options packages for the all-you-can-eat people in Stuttgart.
For example, a Taycan 4S starts at $103,800 but includes a smaller battery and 19-inch wheels. A leather interior brings it up to parity with an E-Tron’s.
Audi expects the E-Tron GT, RS E-Tron GT, and RS E-Tron GT models to be available in North American dealers by the summer. We’ll also have pricing information and range estimates in the coming months. Keep checking back for more information on Audi’s new all-electric.