Audi has discovered its remedy to the just lately updated Tesla Design S, the e-tron GT. The new design takes advantage of the technology and platform that also underpin the Porsche Taycan, and it is thanks to go on sale in the British isles in May with charges ranging from £79,900 to £133,340.
Business manager Markus Duesmann describes the pure-electrical saloon as “the most significant vehicle for Audi”, occupying halo status in the brand’s line-up. To mark its range-topping qualifications, the e-tron GT will be created at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe facility in Neckarsulm – the same manufacturing unit that creates the R8 supercar.
From launch, consumers will have a alternative of two designs: the e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT. Both versions use an electrical powertrain featuring a motor mounted on just about every axle for 4-wheel travel.
The entry-amount car creates 469bhp and 630Nm of torque, which Audi says is adequate for a -62mph time of 4.1 seconds and a best speed of 152mph. It attributes double-wishbone suspension, electronically managed dampers, a locking rear diff and metal brakes with 10-piston calipers. There are 19-inch alloys as standard, despite the fact that 20- and 21-inch wheels will be readily available.
The overall performance-focused RS e-tron GT, priced from £110,850 has a energy output of 590bhp and 830Nm of torque – despite the fact that the car’s launch control system can quickly maximize energy to 637bhp. This version’s -62mph time drops to just 3.3 seconds, when its best speed boosts to an electronically limited 155mph.
To control the more energy, RS designs also get uprated tungsten-carbide-coated brake discs, adaptive air suspension and a additional complex locking rear diff. Prospective buyers can also add 4-wheel steering and carbon-ceramic brakes as extras.
RS designs also get a reshaped bonnet and a additional intense bodykit with a deeper front splitter, broader side skirts and a reduce rear diffuser. At high speed, the car’s adaptive dampers also reduce the overall body, which Audi says allows to increase the car’s stability. Matrix-LED headlights are also standard, when the company’s laser mild technology is fitted to the high-energy RS variant.
Audi’s style and design group has labored with the engineering division to deliver a condition which is both of those hanging and productive.
In an attempt to squeeze as a lot range as probable out of the battery, the car’s bodywork attributes many aerodynamic methods to make it as slippery as probable.For instance, the channels on the reduce edge of the front bumper are built to permit air stream freely along the car’s flanks. Also, the brake cooling ducts underneath the headlamps feature energetic vanes, which can shut off when they’re not necessary, further streamlining the car’s nose. As a consequence, Audi says that the new e-tron GT features a drag coefficient of just .24Cd.
Both designs are fitted with the same battery pack, which has a usable capacity of 85kWh. Audi statements that there’s a highest range of 298 miles, relying on correct specification.
As for charging, the e-tron GT takes advantage of the same 800-volt architecture and thermal management system as the Porsche Taycan. The battery can be thoroughly recharged overnight working with an 11kW wallbox charger or, when related to a 270kW DC quick-charger, an 80 for each cent cost can take 23 minutes – or close to 62 miles of range for each and every five minutes of charging. As with the Taycan, the e-tron GT can be experienced with a audio synthesiser feature identified as ‘e-tron activity sound’, which adds an synthetic electronic powertrain soundtrack.
Inside, the e-tron GT will get a sports activities steering wheel, aluminium pedals and sports activities seats, as well as a host of creature comforts, this kind of as automatic local climate control, heated seats and customisable lights.
The car can even try to remember the cabin choices of up to 6 users, instantly altering the seats and heating when a distinct driver profile is picked. The dashboard is dominated by a twelve.3-inch display screen for the instruments and a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system can also be upgraded with an optional head-up display screen, and consumers can control the car’s features working with the buttons on the steering wheel, the touchscreen or by working with voice recognition.
The e-tron GT’s cabin can be trimmed in a range of eco-welcoming upholsteries, such as Dinamica and Kaskade. The former mimics the texture of Alcantara, when the latter feels like wool, and both of those are produced from recycled components, this kind of as plastic bottles and repurposed textile offcuts.
The optional RS inside style and design offer adds microfibre trim for the dashboard and contrasting stitching for the steering wheel and centre console. Prospective buyers can also choose from a range of dashboard finishes, such as open up-pore walnut wood and carbon fibre. Powering the five-seat cabin is a boot with a capacity of 405 litres.
Audi also offers an optional ‘Park’ enhance, which adds a 360-degree digicam and remote parking support. The latter system will allow the driver to exit the vehicle prior to the car parks alone, delivering they supervise it using Audi’s dedicated smartphone app.
In addition, there are a couple of enhance offers for e-tron GT. Vorsprung specification, which is priced from £106,000 and readily available only on the e-tron GT quattro, adds Audi laser mild LED headlamps, sound insulating glass, air suspension, a Bang & Olufsen audio system and a pair of eighteen-way adjustable sports activities seats with a therapeutic massage function.
The additional effective RS e-tron GT design is available in a further specification identified as Carbon Black, with charges setting up from £124,540. It swaps the standard car’s roof panel, doorway mirror caps and exterior trim for carbon fibre replacements. A Carbon Vorsprung version of the RS e-tron GT is the range-topper, combining the style and design tweaks of the Carbon Black version with the tech updates of the Vorsprung, and is priced from £133,340.
Q&A with Markus Duesmann
Chairman of the Board, Audi
Q: What does the e-tron GT do improved than the Taycan?
A: “We offer you a distinctive character – it is additional of a gran turismo car, so not as sporty as the Porsche, which is intentional – it fits the Audi client improved. You can make a decision which style and design you like additional – it is incredibly subjective.”
Q: How is Audi shifting?
A: “Design is however incredibly significant for our buyers, but we have decided to convey Audi technology-clever into the guide – which is our decision. Which is why we thrust so tough on new systems and why we have
set up Artemis [Audi’s hello-tech flagship EV venture]. We are strong in components, but on application we have to catch up, and we will.”
Q: What can we be expecting from Artemis?
A: “Artemis will be a battery electric car with thoroughly new electronics and features for amount 4 autonomous driving. I really don’t know if we will connect with it e-tron, most likely certainly. Artemis will be a major car, but we will use the technology for all cars from VW Group in stripped-down versions in distinctive segments. We want to launch the car in 2024.”
Q: Will the e-tron name however utilize to all electrified Audis?
A: “The e-tron brand name name will be applied for BEV only in upcoming – for hybrid designs we will just use ‘e’ [suffix].”
Click below to study our in-depth evaluation of the Audi e-tron SUV…