ICE KILLER ON THE LOOSE |
The new Audi e-tron GT quattro is an all-electric four-door coupé from Audi that aspires to reinterpret the traditional idea of the gran turismo as an electric grand tourer. Driving this work of moving art that blends emotive design with state-of-the-art technology – from the battery pack and electric motors to the connectivity and the sport sound – is nothing less than a giant leap into the future, or “Vorsprung durch technik” as Audi would have it.
The Audi e-tron GT quattro revives the gran turismo concept with an Audi, unlike anything we have seen before. This is an assertive, sporty, confident, and emotive car with excellent everyday usability and relatively long-distance capability – up to 488 km per charge.
Taking aim at an entire host of internal combustion engine (ICE) luxury performance sedans and coupés, including Audi’s own impressive lineup of luxury performance models, the Audi e-tron GT shows all the promise of being a lethal ICE killer.
REBIRTH OF THE GRAN TURISMO
The smooth yet aggressive exterior styling of the Audi e-tron GT is a dynamic masterpiece, as aesthetics arise from efficiency, like the active aerodynamics with switchable air inlets for brakes and radiators, a rear spoiler that extends in multiple stages, and a closed underbody culminating in a wide diffuser.
The purposeful yet comfortable interior follows the Audi design language of the last decade, now sans leather, but retaining numerous switches, buttons, and dials from the analogue age. The gran turismo-style finds expression in the driver and front passenger seats that are installed in a sporty low position and separated by a wide centre console that flows into the driver-oriented displays.
MORE THAN ENOUGH IS NEARLY ENOUGH
The electric all-wheel drivetrain features two permanently excited synchronous electric motors, front and back, and a two-speed transmission – similar to that in the Porsche Taycan – on the rear axle.
The Audi e-tron GT quattro offers a total output of 350 kW and 630 Nm of torque. Launch control provides a 2.5-second boost output of 40 kW of extra power, which enables impressive acceleration – 4.1 seconds for the zero to 100 km/h sprint – which places it firmly in supercar territory, making it a serious challenger for most ICE luxury performance cars in the same price bracket. The top speed is 245 km/h, and, as with all electric vehicles, the Audi e-tron GT uses intelligent control to recuperate energy when coasting for up to 265 kW of power regeneration when braking.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BATTERY
The battery pack contributes significantly to the rigidity and crash safety of the body. Audi limits the battery’s usable energy to 85 kWh, enabling a range of up to 488 km, which translates to a real-world range of comfortably more than 400 km.
The system voltage of 800 volts, similar to that of the Porsche Taycan, enables a high continuous output and shortens the charging duration. The e-tron GT can gain a full charge from a 7 kW AC charger in about 12 hours, and when charging at a 350 kW rapid charger (provided you can find one), it will enable you to recharge enough for up to 100 km in just over five minutes. Five to 80% state of charge from a 350 kW rapid charger will take about 22 minutes under ideal conditions.
SMOOTH IS FAST
Expressing the gran turismo philosophy, the suspension is a congenial partner to the dynamic drive while always inspiring confidence no matter how much strain it is under. A three-chamber adaptive air suspension is available as an optional extra.
Audi’s five-mode drive select dynamic handling system allows the driver to choose specific settings for the air suspension, dampers, electric motors, two-speed transmission, and optional controlled rear-axle differential lock.
Audi pre-sense safety systems come standard, while other active safety systems are available as options, including “Tour,” “City,” and “Park” packages; adaptive cruise assist, and (remote) park assist plus. Audi also offers all-wheel steering as an option.
SIGHT & SOUND
Like all Audi models, the e-tron GT is extensively connected. The infotainment system, online services from Audi connect, and the assist systems are all state-of-the-art. And, since this dynamic work of art must also sound good, Audi has composed a unique automatically-adjusted sound for the e-tron GT, engineered to sound powerful and progressive, depending on the Audi drive select setting. The e-tron sport sound is an option for the e-tron GT quattro and allows the driver to choose their own listening experience – from a silent electric drive to a sporty soundscape.
The Audi e-tron GT is priced from R2,715,000 and comes with a five-year/100,000 km Freeway Plan and an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
LAST WORD
Driving the Audi e-tron GT quattro is addictive, especially the acceleration, and not just from standstill but from any speed. A linear torque curve means instant and linear acceleration, no push and pull from transmission shifts, no lag, and no vibration, and as such, this car always feels like it has more to give. Even though this is a heavy car (a battery weighs a lot more than a tank of petrol), the handling is firm and predictable, and with all the electronic systems at play, it feels nimble through slow corners and sticks like a go-kart through fast, sweeping turns. This car is an absolute pleasure to drive and arguably better than any other Audi we have had the privilege to experience. Living with the Audi e-tron GT quattro is equally pleasurable because overnight charging at home means no more unnecessary, time-consuming, and expensive stops at petrol stations – except to buy bread and milk and treat curious onlookers to a glimpse of the future. We doff our hat to Audi for producing a highly desirable electric car that exploits all the advantages of this new technology.
Report by WILHELM LOOTS | Images © AUDI SOUTH AFRICA
