First Look: Audi e-tron GT
February 9th, 2021 – For the last few months Audi have been teasing the automotive world with snippets of information and camouflaged images of their long-anticipated e-tron GT.
Only now have we been given a look at the new e-tron GT and the wait has certainly been worth it.
Audi’s latest introduction to their electric line-up is a bit different, while still following their environmental philosophy, is more about performance, speed and handling and now takes pride of place being Audi’s most powerful production car ever made.
It is built on the same production line as Audi’s high-performance R8, which gives us some insight as to Audi’s intentions as to where this grand tourer fits in their line-up.
The e-tron is designed as an electric four-door coupe that satisfies all of the design characteristics of a grand tourer, while still being able to fulfill its obligation of being a performance sedan. A long-wheelbase, wide track, larger wheels, and of course a sleek lower silhouette gives it a sporty and elegant exterior. The sculptured body starts up front with an elongated hood that flows and rises with the windshield onto a steeply raked roofline that tapers down to the rear integrated spoiler in typical Audi Sportback fashion. The high waistline and extended wheel arches add to the sporty and muscular appearance with the large wheels adding even more to its athletic looks.
Internally, the design focus is targeted towards the driver with the dashboard being slightly angled towards the left. Both the driver and front passenger seating allow for both to be seated in a low sporty position separated by a wide centre console. The touch screen infotainment screen is surrounded by a black piano bezel that gives the appearance of it being suspended above the instrument panel.
The cabin and seating are liveried using a number of sustainable or recycled materials. The seats are upholstered using a combination of faux leather and microfibre materials that are fabricated from recycled materials. The instrument panel is finished with graphite gray or palladium silver paint as standard with an option of matt carbon or open-pore walnut wood being made available.
The cabin is very functional with plenty of space for all passengers to be comfortable, while still having sporty feel and look. The fit and finish exemplify what a luxurious tourer should be.
Audi has taken the high road and has stayed away from adding a huge gaudy centre screen like other manufacturers, this elimination adds to the e-tron GT’s panache and elegant over-all feel.
The drive train of the e-tron GT is what makes it special. It will come in two flavours; the e-tron GT Quattro and the RS e-tron GT that has upgraded handling characteristics. The 85kW battery pack is mounted at the lowest point of the vehicle equally positioned between the front and rear axles balancing the car, as well as giving it a lower centre of gravity to help with performance handling.
Both trim lines have an electric motor mounted up front and the rear. The e-tron GT Quatro has a combined output of 350 kW with the front motor producing 175 kW and the rear 320 kW. Both motors have the ability to store power in reserve for extreme driving situations explaining the total output difference than the total power combination produced by both motors.
The RS e-tron GT produces the same power from the front motor with the rear producing 335 kW adding to an over-all output of 440 kW. The total torque figures released for the RS e-tron GT is cited as 612.2 lb-ft. This allows the GT Quatro to reach 100km/h in 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 245km/h and the RS GT to reach the same speed in a blistering 3.3 seconds and on up to 250 km/h.
Both models are equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive with a front-wheel drive bias. In the event of loss of traction, fast cornering or aggressive acceleration power can be redirected to the rear wheels at speeds that are five times faster than a regular Quattro drive train. The all-wheel drive system continuously monitors the torque distribution between the axles and reacts within a fraction of a second.
The e-tron GT eliminates the need in trying to find a specific charge point by having charge plugs mounted on both sides of the vehicle with the right-hand side having the ability to be able to charge from a DC charger. Charging on an 11 kW AC charger can be completed from empty overnight, and an optional 22kW charger will speed up charging times and should be available at the time of release. The e-tron GT Quattro can travel up to an average of 488 Km while the RS e-tron GT will travel up to 472 km.
The e-tron GT looks like it will be the future of Audi, it manages to incorporate Audi’s environmental commitments without losing any of its powerful and sporty image. I think Audi have managed to make the crossover from internal combustion to volts while adding to the brands appeal.
The e-tron GT is due to hit Canadian dealers sometime in the summer of 2021.
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