Audi e-tron GT review: pipped by Porsche’s performance plug-in
The Audi e-tron GT is an extremely impressive entry into the high-end electric sports saloon class from the German brand
Pros
- Incredible performance
- Very fast charging
- Great ride quality
Cons
- Porsche Taycan is sportier
- Expensive to buy
- Tight boot
| Model | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-tron GT quattro | 305 miles | 13hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 21mins (10-80%, 270kW) |
| RS e-tron GT | 298 miles | 13hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 21mins (10-80%, 270kW) |
Audi e-tron GT verdict
The Audi e-tron GT is an impressive flagship model for the Ingolstadt-based brand, and an even more compelling electric sports car. As is the case with most Audi models, the e-tron GT’s interior is as plush as it is loaded with the latest tech, with figure-hugging seats and a high centre console hinting at the car’s dynamic driving experience. True, it may not be quite as fun to drive as its Porsche Taycan sister car – nor as desirable, perhaps – and while that car can also be had in practical estate form, the Audi is only available as a compromised saloon. That being said, if you’re after the most head-turning motorway mile-muncher there is, you should look no further than the e-tron GT.
Range details, specs and alternatives
The luxury end of the electric car market is filling out nicely; there are several zero-emissions SUVs like the BMW iX, as well luxury saloons such as the BMW i7. Sitting at the pinnacle of Audi’s electric car range is the newly renamed Q8 e-tron and the sporty four-door flagship, the e-tron GT.
The Audi e-tron GT shares all of its parts with the critically-acclaimed Porsche Taycan – not a bad place to start then. Key rivals include the likes of the Tesla Model S, BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE, as well as the soon-to-arrive Lucid Air, Polestar 5 and Lotus Emeya.
Unlike the Porsche which is available in a confounding number of configurations, the e-tron GT is only available in ‘regular’ or high-performance ‘RS’ guise. All models make use of a 93kWh (85kWh useable) battery, which – provided you don’t drive the legs off it – gives the e-tron GT a maximum range of 305 miles on a single charge. Opt for the hot RS variant and this figure drops to a still-respectable 298 miles, due to the extra grunt on offer.
Speaking of grunt, even the base Audi e-tron GT is no slouch; all cars get dual electric motors to provide Audi’s signature ‘quattro’ all-wheel-drive. Standard e-tron GT models output an impressive 469bhp and reach 62mph in just over four seconds, making it more than rapid enough for most owners. If you’ve the need for speed, though, the Audi RS e-tron GT ups power to a muscular 590bhp and slashes the 0-62mph time to 3.3 seconds – only 0.2 seconds shy of Audi’s R8 supercar.
Opt for the standard Audi e-tron GT and there are only two trim levels to choose from; the entry-level eponymous ‘e-tron GT’ trim level gets our vote as it comes with all the kit you could ever need, including matrix-LED exterior lighting, a panoramic glass roof, adaptive suspension, tri-zone climate control, heated leather sports seats, cruise control, lane-departure warning and a reversing camera.
Stepping up to the Vorsprung model costs a whopping £25,000 (no, that isn’t a typo) and throws in extras like 20-inch diamond-cut alloys, Audi’s advanced laser headlights, quilted bucket seats with a massage function, a head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a host of driver assistance technologies. The Vorsprung also boasts a handful of performance upgrades including air suspension and four-wheel-steering – but this still doesn’t make it worth the extra cash, in our opinion.
The Audi RS e-tron GT is offered in three forms: the regular ‘RS e-tron GT’, as well as the ‘Carbon Black’ and ‘Carbon Vorsprung’ models. The standard RS e-tron GT comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a range-topper, building on the standard e-tron GT trim with the aforementioned Audi laser lights, adaptive air suspension, four-wheel-steering, uprated brakes, heated and cooled leather bucket seats, a B&O sound system, a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system.
RS e-tron GT Carbon Black and Carbon Vorsprung models get, as their names suggest, plenty of sporty carbon fibre detailing, as well as an interior dressed in Alcantara suede. The top-of-the-line Carbon Vorsprung also gets equipment like a massage function for the front seats, heated rear seats and several driver assistance features including night-vision cameras and autonomous parking. It’s eye-wateringly expensive, though.
No matter which version of the Audi e-tron GT you go for, all get the maker’s brilliant Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, as well as a 10.3-inch touchscreen boasting sat-nav, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a wireless smartphone charger, as well as an integrated Amazon Alexa voice assistant.
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