Audi e-Tron GT: The beast of tomorrow is born today

It responds to the name of Audi e-Tron GT and although it is the third member of the Ingolstadt electric vehicle saga, it comes to position itself as the true benchmark, the flagship of a brand that looks to the future with ambition.

With the shapes and proportions typical of a grand tourer and with the initials of this name as the only distinctive feature, the new e-Tron GT also stands out for presenting a definitive image that cannot be closer to the initial concept, presented at the Salon de Los Angels of 2018.

A very aerodynamic GT

The bodywork, made of aluminum and high-resistance steel, has received a new roof, made of a single piece of heat-insulating glass and with a slightly higher shape than the prototype, to favor the occupants of the rear seats. The door handles are also somewhat more conventional and the tires slightly more rational, as they go from 22 to 19, 20, or 21 inches in diameter at most. With all that, the body line of the final model is very aerodynamic and this is demonstrated by a coefficient of resistance, of only 0.24 Cx, but more elements are key to achieving this figure.

The E-Tron GT includes air inlets in the front wheel arches that serve to cool brakes and radiators, but also to direct the airflow towards the rear, as is the case with its lower fairings and the sculpted line of your shoulders at the back. A wide diffuser, a retractable spoiler, and wheels that include deflectors between 2 and 3 millimeters thick put the finishing touch to an aesthetic but above all, aerodynamic set.

Audi e-Tron GT

The dimensions reveal a vehicle 4.99 meters long, 1.96 wide, and only 1.41 high, with a very low center of gravity because the batteries are installed on the floor of the vehicle, a mass distribution equitable -50 / 50- and a wheelbase of 2.90 meters. Also, despite having a front and a rear-engine, the e-Tron offers two trunks. The most practical is the rear, 405 liters, although the one located under the hood offers a compartment with an additional 81 liters, perfect for storing the recharging cables and something else.

Audi e-Tron GT

An exclusive color gamut, with nine colors, including the new tactical green, helps to give thee-Tron GT an extra personality at first glance. Likewise, the Singleframe grille can be painted in body color, gray, or – with the specific pack – black. The latter includes the side moldings and rear diffuser in this tone while the three available carbon packages are even more exclusive. Audi also offers the exterior mirror caps and roof in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) on request.

Audi e-Tron GT Technology at a glance

The interior, meanwhile, has a specific and avant-garde design, with the low driving position that you would expect from a gran Turismo, but with a raised dashboard that integrates both the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit dashboard and a large 10.2 ” screen located in the center. These elements can be combined with a very complete head-up display –although optional–. The center console is also wide, so much so that it divides the front seats. In the rear seats, the same does not happen, it is that there are three that are available and according to the brand, “they are appropriate for adults

Audi e-Tron GT

The interior features quality materials and a distinctive design, especially in the case of the RS e-Tron GT version that can add a sports steering wheel, carbon fiber inserts, or a special upholstery with red stitching. But no one expects to find leather in this high-end Audi because we are facing a vehicle that respects the environment to the point that it uses “mainly recycled materials “ in its interior, which underlines the brand.

e-sound

Another peculiarity of the Audi e-Tron GT is its sound, designed by a computer and made up of a total of 32 echoes to vary its timbre and intensity depending on the selected driving program and driving circumstances. Everything to bring an emotional extra to the driving of this high-performance electric grand tourer.

The most electrifying Audi

The range is divided into two variants, both 100% electric and both equipped with two electric motors arranged one on each axle and capable of moving all four wheels. The substantial difference is in the power of the rear thruster. While the standard model combines two 238 hp (175 kW) and 435 hp (320 kW) engines to deliver 476 hp –350 kW– and 630 Nm of maximum torque as a whole, the RS e-Tron GT incorporates a rear-drive of 456 hp in addition to the front of 238, to raise its performance to 598 horses – equivalent to 440 kW – and reach an overwhelming maximum torque: 830 Nm that is also delivered instantly.

Audi e-Tron GT

Thus, the benefits are outstanding. Thee-Tron GT Quattro accelerates from zero to 100 km / h in 4.1 seconds, while the RS only needs 3.3 seconds, in both cases always with the boost mode active. Top speed is more similar: 245 km / h and 250 km / h, respectively, although the RS is electronically limited. And what about autonomy? Well, Audi figures it at 488 kilometers (initial forecast, according to the WLTP cycle) for both thanks to the fact that they have the same battery, of 86 kWh of net capacity and with 800-volt technology, it allows very fast charges, with a power of up to 270 kW.

Audi e-Tron GT

The Audi e-Tron GT can charge with alternating current and 11 kW of power, obtaining a full charge “at night”, says Audi. Shortly after its introduction on the market, an optional 22 kW charger will be available but the most interesting thing is the possibility of accessing very fast recharges, with powers of up to 270 kW. In ideal conditions, with this system, the batteries go from 5 to 80% in less than 23 minutes.

Fascinating equipment

As standard, the e-Tron GT includes important elements to obtain great dynamism on the road, such as Audi drive select – which allows you to choose different driving modes -, four-wheel steering, adaptive damping, air suspension, or a Self-locking rear axle differential that promises to bring out the best in electric all-wheel drive. Also, the brakes can be optional carbon-ceramic and with a diameter of up to 420 millimeters in the case of the front.

Audi e-Tron GT

At the level of technological innovations, the eleven antennas that the e-Tron GT integrates into its bodywork stand out and that will fully immerse its driver in the era of the connected vehicle. Through his smartphone and from the myAudi application, the driver can access his vehicle information and operate some controls. Also, the standard MMI Navigation plus system calculates the route based on real-time traffic data, and Car-to-X services can warn of a dangerous situation and help to find parking.

The Audi phone box connects mobile phones to the car’s WiFi and charges them by induction, while your music can be played on a 710-watt Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System equipped with 16 speakers.

At the lighting level, there are three headlight variants available for the e-Tron GT. Standard comes with LED technology and dynamic turn signals, while Matrix LEDs are available as an option on the ‘normal’ model and standard on the RS. Above this adaptive lighting system is the HD Matrix LED lasers, capable of doubling the distance to be illuminated with long beams.

Audi e-Tron GT

The driving aids are equally sophisticated and so numerous that Audi’s has included three packs: Tour, for those involved in road trips (able to intervene in the steering and brakes) City, to the city (including 360º environment cameras) and Park, for autonomous parking either in a straight line or on the battery inside the vehicle or outside –from the smartphone–.

THE AUDI E-TRON GT RANGE

The electric grand tourer with the four rings is already manufactured together with the Audi R8 at the Böllinger Höfe plant and will arrive on our market in spring, with its two variants (e-Tron GT Quattro and RS e-Tron GT) and with the prices that we indicate below.

  • Audi e-tron GT quattro (476 hp and 630 Nm / 530 CV Launch Control): 104,500 euros
  • Audi RS e-tron GT (598 hp and 830 Nm / 646 CV Launch Control): 143,500 euros

Elenor Kling

A tech lover and generally a car enthusiast who likes to do a lot of research and share knowledge.

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