AUDI HAS UPPED THE ANTE on high-performance motoring with the arrival of the new e-tron GT range. Comprising three models – the Audi S e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT performance – Audi has taken this already impressive range to new heights, creating a new benchmark for all-electric performance in the process. Significantly more power than before, greater battery capacity, and increased range as well as a raft of performance and dynamic improvements are the highlights.
The release of the Audi e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT in 2021 represented a milestone for Audi, combining a stunning aesthetic with tremendous all-electric performance. The revised e-tron GT range builds on that legacy with three breathtaking models that includes the RS e-tron GT performance, the brand’s most powerful production model ever – and by a significant margin.
“Our new all-electric GT models epitomise the Audi philosophy and are perfect examples of Vorsprung durch Technik,” says Audi Australia Director, Jeff Mannering.
“Audi has never been a brand to rest on its laurels and the new RS e-tron GT performance is the perfect example of continuously pushing the envelope.”
In addition to their extraordinary performance which includes new boost function and launch control modes, the new models also feature greater battery capacity and increased range of over 500km for each model as well as faster charging which has been increased from 270kW to 320kW.
In addition, there’s new interior design and cutting-edge technology as well as a raft of other improvements.
Greater power, range and faster charging
The performance capabilities of the e-tron GT range have increased appreciably across the board, with the entry-level S e-tron GT on a par with the original RS e-tron GT. With 435kW or 500kW on boost, it boasts 740Nm of torque and hits 100km/h from standstill in just 3.4 seconds. The new RS e-tron GT offers even greater power and torque, delivering 500kW and 630kW on boost, with 865Nm of torque and a zero to 100km/h time of 3.1 seconds. The RS e-tron GT performance takes things even further again with 550 and 680kW of power on boost and a massive 1027Nm of torque, for a sprint time of 2.5 seconds from rest to 100km/h.
In addition to this incredible performance increase, braking recuperation has increased to 400kW. Additionally, the weight of the high-voltage battery has been reduced while simultaneously increasing its energy density and despite its higher energy content of 105kWh gross, weighs 9kg less.
Range (WLTP) has also increased to up to 559km for the S e-tron GT, while the RS e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT performance offer up to 522 and 528km respectively. Charging too has been markedly upgraded with an additional 50kW to 320kW, which under ideal conditions, allows charging from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes at a high-power charging outlet.
A new performance experience
The e-tron GT range offers a driving experience like never before, with a newly developed ‘push to pass’ boost function on the RS e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT performance which provides an additional 70kW of power for overtaking on demand. The launch control mode has also been significantly bolstered with a sizeable 65kW initial boost for the S e-tron GT and an enormous 130kW for the two RS variants for extraordinary performance right off the line.
Suspension has also been completely revised to make the most of the power increases and deliver handling commensurate with these levels of performance. Updated air suspension is a standard feature on the S and RS e-tron GT models, while an active suspension system, standard on the RS e-tron GT performance, is also available as an option on the RS e-tron GT.
Setting the standard for all-electric grand tourers
Across the board the all-electric GT range is impressive, starting with the S e-tron GT ($209,900 plus on road costs) which rides on 20-inch alloy wheels in a multi-spoke S design, with the large red brake calipers clearly visible. It features a black exterior styling package with the Audi logo and wing mirror caps also finished in black, while metallic paint is standard. There are seven exterior colours to choose from for the S e-tron GT, including Progressive red metallic which is a new colour. Another new colour, Nimbus grey pearl, is also available for the two RS variants, while Bedford green metallic is reserved for the RS e-tron GT performance.
The Singleframe centre section is painted in body colour while HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light and dynamic indicators front and rear are also standard features. Exterior mirrors are electronically adjusted, heated and auto-dimming and a large panoramic glass roof floods the interior with natural light. Privacy glass, electric boot lid and adaptive air suspension are all standard, as is Audi’s e-quattro sport differential with torque vectoring and all wheel steering. The S e-tron GT features S specific exterior sound as well as dual charging ports (driver and passenger sides) an 11kW AC on-board charger and Audi e-tron GT compact charger.
Inside, the sport front seats pro with integrated inlay and illuminated logo are covered in fine Nappa leather upholstery with the distinctive honeycomb stitching. A fine Nappa leather interior package sees the centre console, upper dashboard, door rails and armrests covered in fine Nappa leather while the door inserts are finished in Dinamica. The front seats are heated and ventilated for maximum comfort and feature 18-way electric adjustment with driver memory function. Rear seats feature 40:20:40 split fold for convenience when storing bulky items while three-zone climate control is standard along with comfort stationary remote air conditioning.
The multi-function leather-bound steering wheel is heated and features a flat top and bottom while the steering column features electric adjustment. A colour LED interior ambient lighting package changes the interior feel at the touch of a button, while graphite grey inlays, illuminated door sill trims with aluminium inlays and the pedal cluster is in stainless steel, completing the clean, sophisticated interior.
Both infotainment and the safety/assistance offerings for the e-tron GT models are impressive, from the MMI navigation plus with MMI touch response to the Audi virtual cockpit plus, Audi connect plus and 710W Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system with 16 speakers. Audi smartphone interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Audi phone box light with wireless charging and digital radio DAB+ are all standard inclusions.
In terms of safety and driver assistance systems, the e-tron GT models come with a full suite, with adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function and traffic jam assist, as well as Audi pre-sense front and rear, active lane assist, side assist with rear cross traffic assist and exit warning. Likewise collision avoidance assist and turn assist, intersection assist are all standard along with 360-degree cameras with kerb view, tyre pressure monitoring and head-up display.
The next level – Audi RS e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT performance
Customers looking to explore the next level build on the aforementioned specification in the RS e-tron GT (from $264,900 plus on road costs) with 21-inch alloy wheels with a concave five-twin spoke design in black with graphic paint. A new smart panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency can be made opaque at the touch of a button and an RS-specific exterior electric sound has been developed for this model. Stopping power complements the performance upgrade for this model and comes courtesy of performance brakes with tungsten carbide coating.
Inside, the multi-function steering wheel with its flat top and bottom is not only heated but features satellite buttons and the front sport seats also feature massage function on top of the heating and ventilation. Inlays in matt carbon twill also differentiate this cockpit from the S model, as does the RS-specific virtual cockpit design.
Not only does the RS e-tron GT performance (from $309,900 plus on road costs) comfortably assume the mantle of the brand’s most powerful series production model, but it excels in every area. Adding to the impressive specification and standard equipment of the other GT models, it adds 21-inch wheels with a six-double spoke design with high sheen finish and milled black inserts. Active suspension is a standard inclusion on this model as is the addition of a special performance mode for the Audi drive select, as well as interior embellishments such as headlining in Dinamica.
Further enhancements to the range
In addition to the already high levels of specification and equipment across the e-tron GT range, a number of packages will also be available for customers. Available for the S e-tron GT, a Sensory package ($6000) adds air quality package including an ioniser as well as heated outer rear seats, massage function for the front seats and headlining in suede-effect Dinamica.
An interior Design package ($3800) also for the S model sees the upper dashboard, door armrests and centre console finished in fine Nappa leather black with stitching in express red or grey as well as seat stitching also in express red or grey. Door trim inserts are finished in black Dinamica.
Available for both RS variants, a Gloss carbon exterior styling package ($10,000) sees the front side air intakes, side sill trim and rear diffuser inserts all finished in gloss carbon. Wing mirror caps and door sill trim inserts also feature gloss carbon inlay with the RS logo on the front. The package also includes a carbon roof which replaces the glass roof with switchable transparency.
An interior RS Design package can also be ordered for both RS models ($4500) which features a steering wheel rim in black Dinamica with stitching in Express red or grey, upper dashboard, armrests and centre console finished in black fine Nappa leather also featuring either the Express red or grey contrasting stitching. Likewise floor mats feature the choice of contrasting stitching while the centre console surround, door inserts and upper instrument cowl are all finished in black Dinamica.
A Matt carbon camouflage exterior styling package ($10,000) available only on the performance model features a dark matt carbon roof which sees the removal of the fixed glass roof, as well as matt camouflage exterior wing mirror caps, front side air intakes, side sill trim and rear diffuser also in receive the matt camouflage treatment as well as the door sill trim inserts with matt carbon inlay with RS logo in the front.
Also exclusive to the RS e-tron performance is the RS performance Design package ($4500) which sees the black Dinamica steering wheel rim with serpentine green stitching, which also features on the seats belts and floor mats. The upper dashboard, door armrests and centre console are all finished in fine Nappa leather which also features the serpentine green stitching while the centre console surround, door inserts and upper instrument cowl are all finished in black Dinamica.
In addition to these packages, RS customers are also able to select the Carbon ceramic brakes ($13,000) which replace the standard RS brake system of 410mm front discs and 365mm rear with 10-piston calipers and tungsten carbide coating. The RS carbon ceramic brake system is track-ready and lightweight and comprises 420mm front and 410mm rear brake discs that are a 20kg weight reduction over the standard setup.
Peace-of-mind for Audi owners
All models within the Audi e-tron GT range come with complimentary six years scheduled servicing, six years roadside assist, and a one-year public charging subscription to the Chargefox network – Australia’s largest EV charging network of which Audi Australia is a founding partner.
The e-tron GT models come with a peace-of-mind five-year warranty and 12 years manufacturing warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles, as well as an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
Five-year service plans are available for both models and customers also can purchase Audi Advantage, an Audi-exclusive program that allows owners to purchase two-year packages to extend their servicing, warranty, and roadside assistance. New vehicle customers can purchase two-year programs back-to-back at the time of purchase, or at a later date up to eight years old, to extend the current manufacturer warranty beyond the current five-year period. This allows new vehicle owners the security of a full factory warranty for up to nine years, which is transferable to future owners of their vehicle.
Audi owners also receive a complimentary membership during their warranty period to Audi Experience, Audi Australia’s bespoke loyalty program that offers access to exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers.
Market Introduction
The new Audi e-tron GT models are arriving soon to Australian showrooms.
| Pricing (all plus on road costs) | |
| Audi S e-tron GT | $209,900 |
| Audi RS e-tron GT | $264,900 |
| Audi RS e-tron GT performance | $309,900 |