Audi RS e-tron GT is quite a name for the top spec Audi electric car. It tells you almost everything you need to know about the car. 
Its an RS so we know it is packed with sport features and is fast.
Its an e-tron, so we know it’s all electric and emits zero driving emissions from the powertrain.
It’s a GT, which traditionally stands for Gran Turismo, able to traverse long distances in comfort, luxury, and style. Well three out of four isn’t bad.
The model comes in either a e-tron GT or RS e-tron GT version. More details can be FOUND HERE
Audi RS e-tron GT Exterior – what it Looks like
In a few words – simply beautiful.
Here is a coupé styled saloon that embodies the best of Audi design. Take the RS5 Sportback, which itself is stunning, and craft something even more sensuous and sleek.
The RS e-tron GT is elegance personified.
There are no bad angles for this vehicle.
From the front the smooth bonnet lines highlight the Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light.
It has a long wheelbase and wide track that presents a squat dynamic stance.
Filling the muscular wheel arches are massive 21-inch alloy wheels that house tungsten carbide brake discs, clamped with distinctive red calipers. These are shod with performance 11.5-inch rear and 9.5-inch front tyres.
From the rear it has a pop-up spoiler and high opening boot lid that hides a slightly shallow but long boot space.
There are eight metallic exterior finishes available to customers, with Ascari Blue and Tactical Green exclusive to the RS variant.
Audi RS e-tron GT Interior – what it feels like
Typically, Audi, is the immediate impression. That means well laid out, functional and again, that word, elegant.
Audi have certainly found the Mortein formula for their interior design. “When you on a good thing stick to it” for the younger readers.
The sumptuous interior cocoons the occupants.
Front occupants have plenty of room. Rear passengers, behind normal sized front occupants, also have plenty of room. Seats are particularly comfortable.
Black exterior styling complements carbon fibre interior inlays, adding to the visual intent and pairing well with the six fine Nappa leather interior trims available.
RS sport front seats offer ventilation and four-way lumbar support and feature honeycomb stitching to exude a sense of real luxury in the cabin.
In front of the driver is the sport steering wheel with its flat-bottom, heating capability, and large shift paddles. (I’m not sure why you need shift paddles on a two speed automatic transmission though).
The Audi virtual cockpit is, as always, functional, and practical.
The central stack area with its twin touch screens, with haptic touch functionality set the mood for driver ergonomics.
More comfort touches include: –
- electric front seat and steering column adjustment featuring driver seat memory,
- sport seats finished in leather upholstery and complemented with either graphite grey or walnut grey-brown inlays.
- 3-zone climate control,
- front seat heating, and
- comfort stationary remote air-conditioning further enhance driving comfort.
The Dinamica interior package adds sport plus front seats with adjustable thigh support, vegan Dinamica seat upholstery and headlining for customers looking to add more luxe interior features.
Audi RS e-tron GT Infotainment and connectivity
The e-tron GT features a suitable advanced array of the latest Audi infotainment and safety technology, such as:-
- Virtual cockpit plus,
- Audi Connect plus,
- wireless smartphone interface and charging,
- DAB+ digital radio and a
- Head-up display.
An incredibly powerful 16-speaker sound system by Bang & Olufsen also ensures an audio oasis throughout the cabin.
Audi RS e-tron GT motor and drivetrain
At the heart of the Audi RS e-tron GT sits two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear, combining to produce an output of 440kW (475kW boost) and 830Nm.
These result in the RS e-tron GT reaching 0-100km/h in a staggering 3.3 seconds.
The 93 kWh battery ensures a driving range of up to 488 kilometres (WLTP combined range) is possible. However real life shows this to be closer to 400km or a touch under. That’s one issue I have with the car. Its short on real life range.
Dynamically, the e-tron GT also features three-chamber adaptive air suspension as standard, for a truly customisable driving experience.
It caters easily for a smooth ride when coasting along but transforms the e-tron GT into a thrilling, responsive instrument when tested by challenging driving roads.
What is the RS e-tron GT like to drive?
Exhilarating is the first word that comes to mind.
Here is a 2800 odd kg vehicle that grips like a limpet and almost defies the laws of physics.
It will happily potter around town without fuss. For an EV it has a stunning amount of roll on when selected.
However, plant the right foot, at the appropriate time. And all hell breaks loose.
Very few cars will really push you back into your seat, but the RS e-tron GT does. Yet it remains completely composed and the driver always has full control. This is courtesy of the brilliant e-quattro sport differential with torque vectoring and all-wheel steering.
Its smooth, quiet, fast, and fun.
But, just like a normal petrol or diesel engine vehicle, plant the right foot too much and you feel it at the recharging station. Economy goes out the window.
The RS e-tron GT is also no silent-moving beast, with a uniquely composed sound emanating from four speakers, inside and out.
Essentially this tries to emulate the sound of a sports exhaust. The jury is still out on this one.
In the marketing words of Audi: – The two control units sing both a separate exterior and interior sound, using data from the rotational speed of the electric motors and a host of other parameters to echo the performance of the vehicle to those both inside and outside the vehicle.
The synthetic sounds offer an authentically and finely nuanced impression of the work performed by the electric drive system.
How about charging?
Fast charging is the best option, suitable for stopovers on long journeys, restoring 80% of charge in just 22.5 minutes. Also recharging at the maximum 270kW Direct Current (DC) capacity replenishes 100km in just five minutes.
However, an often-overlooked limiting factor is that EVs in general shouldn’t be fast charged all the time.
Both models can be charged via a supplied 11kW AC home-charging kit (requires three-phase electrical infrastructure to support this). The 11kW AC home-charging solution can fully recharge the RS e-tron GT overnight.
Thanks to Audi’s partner JETCharge, the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT are offered with a complimentary standard installation for charging at home.
But for us journalist plebs, normal home charging is usually the way to go.
In wise words often heard right before an accident. Don’t try this at home folks.
Charging the Audi on a 240V, 10-amp home power supply simply takes forever. Try 30 plus hours from 40%.
But is it safe?
Absolutely yes. There is no direct ANCAP rating but the normal e-tron is five star (July 2019) and its an Audi!
Audi RS e-tron GT comes with a full suite of driver assistance systems that include: –
- side assist,
- adaptive cruise assist,
- active lane assist,
- intersection assist,
- pre-sense,
- 360-degree cameras, and a
- tyre pressure monitoring system.
I will say though that the presence systems have a different interpretation of gaps in traffic than I do. On a couple of occasions, when I went to proceed through a roundabout, knowing that the vehicle was well through in front of me, the pre sense simply decided to brake the car.
Frustrating and a pet peeve of mine when the car systems override driver inputs.
There is no correct solution here, it’s all about perspective.
Audi e-tron ownership benefits.
Audi Australia is offering all e-tron vehicles – including the e-tron GT models – with a comprehensive customer offer that includes a 6-year subscription to the Chargefox charging network.
This means e-tron owners are provided unlimited charging on all ultra-rapid, and selected fast and standard, chargers within the Chargefox network.
Audi is a founding partner of the Chargefox network. All ultra-rapid chargers are powered by 100% renewable energy. Further information can be found at https://www.chargefox.com/network/
Additionally, Audi Australia is offering the e-tron GT models with servicing and roadside assistance for the first 6 years of ownership.
Like all Audi vehicles delivered to Australian customers from January 1 2022, the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT come the peace-of-mind of a five-year warranty.
Audi provides 12 years manufacturer warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles, as well as an eight-year battery warranty for all e-tron vehicles.
RS e-tron GT final thoughts
Audi RS e-tron GT is beautiful in design. It’s exhilarating to drive and is luxurious and comfortable.
Priced from around $247,000 plus the usual costs, its expensive, as most EV’s are.
I love the car.
However, the real issue for me is the range. 400km in real life simply isn’t enough.
Given the number of kilometres I do every week, I would be spending an unacceptable amount of time sitting at chargers, somewhere. If I owned it and had the home kit installed, that’s better.
What is good? |
|
What is not so good? |
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Audi |
|
Model |
RS e-tron GT |
| Model Price | $246,875 MLP* |
| Engine | Battery Electric motor |
| Drivetrain | Two speed automatic e-quattro |
| Battery Capacity / type | 93kWh / Lithium Ion |
| Power | 440kW / 475Kw (boost) |
| Torque | 830Nm |
| Range (WLTP) / ADR | 433Km max |
| Range on test | 390km |
| Economy / efficiency | 20.2kwh/100k / 24.8kWh on test |
| Fast Charge**/ Home | 22.5 mins (270kW) / 30 plus hrs |
| Safety | 5 Star ANCAP (e-tron tested July 2019 ) |
| CO2 Emissions | Zero driving emissions |
| 0-100kmh/Top Speed | 3.3 secs / N/A |
| Servicing | 24mth / 30,000km Free up to 90,000km |
| Warranty | 5yr/ Unlimited km |
| Roadside Assist | 6Yr. conditional roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)
** Using a 270kW fast charger from 10-80%
Overall Rating |
88/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 9 |
| Performance | 10 |
| Ride and Handling | 9 |
| Practicality | 8 |
| Fit for Purpose | 8 |
| Style / Appeal | 9 |
| Technology/connectivity | 10 |
| Value for Money | 7 |
Dimensions |
|
| Overall Length | 4989mm |
| Wheelbase | 2900mm |
| Width | 2158mm |
| Height | 1401mm |
| Wheels | 21×9.5 Alloy front / 21 X 11,5 Alloy rear |
| Tyres | 265/35 R21 / 305/30 R21 |
| Max ground clearance | Up to 111mm |
| Wading Depth | N/A |
| Approach | N/A |
| Rampover | N/A |
| Departure angle | N/A |
| Turning Circle KTK | TBA |
| Boot Min | N/A |
| Boot Max | 350L |
| Kerb Weight | 2422kg |
| Battery weight | TBC |
| Payload (kg) | 438kg |
| GVM (kg) | 2860kg |
| GCM | N/A |
| Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Tow Ball rating | N/A |
Overall Rating
Summary
Audi RS e-tron GT is beautiful in design. It’s exhilarating to drive and is luxurious and comfortable.
Priced from around $247,000 plus the usual costs, its expensive, as most EV’s are.
I love the car.
However, the real issue for me is the range. 400km in real life simply isn’t enough.
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