The new Audi E-Tron GT is here, and what a beauty it is. We have been waiting years for this car and now it’s here, what do we think of it? Well, it looks insane and thankfully, exactly like the concept version of this car which is brilliant news because the concept looked amazing.
The only difference that the production model has a slightly different front end. Other than that, it’s pretty much identical to the concept model. The original concept was revealed back in 2018 at the Los Angeles auto show and the production model had its premiere in November 2020. The actual production car was launched to the world on the 9th February 2021, a few days after the new updated Tesla Model S.
The new Audi E-Tron GT is based on the same platform as the Taycan Porsche. This is good news because the Taycan is a brilliant car that handles extremely well. It’s the third electric car made by Audi and it’s their first electric sedan and sports car. Under the hood lays two electric motors which means the E-Tron GT is AWD. It will also be the first electric Audi made in Germany since the other two are made in Belgium.
The Performance
The standard E-Tron GT has 469hp, but if you use launch control you get 523hp which means you get a 0-60 in around 3 seconds or so. The RS version of the E-Tron GT has 590hp as standard but on launch control, it has 637hp which means it hits 60 in 2.5 seconds. Without launch, the standard E-Tron GT does a 0-60 of 4.1 seconds whilst the RS E-Tron GT does a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds which is insane.
Not as fast as a Tesla, but we are certain that it will handle better. It is based on an already proven chassis from the Taycan and it is so much more aerodynamic than the Model S. The center of gravity is lower too which is again better for handling. It is also slower than the Taycan Turbo but that doesn’t matter because it is cheaper.
A new E-Tron GT starts at just under $100,000 which is a lot. The Taycan though starts at over $103,000 for the 4S model which is essentially the same as the standard E-Tron GT. It has a similar 0-60 time and a similar range too. Where things get more interesting, is where you compare the top models of both cars.
A top Audi E-Tron GT model, the RS variant, starts at $139,900 whilst the Taycan Turbo (not even the top Taycan model) starts at $150,900 and the top Turbo S model starts at $185,000. That’s a heck of a lot more and the E-Tron RS on launch will be able to easily catch the Turbo S model on launch due to the massive horsepower boost the batteries provide to the electric motor when this car is set to launch control.
Round the bends, this car will really show how fast it is. It may be slower in the straights than the Model S Tesla, but we believe in the corners, it will be all over it. Take the E-Tron GT and the Model S to a track and you will see that it’s the Germans who have always been number one when it comes to handling. The Model-S may have adaptive suspension, but it’s nothing compared to what the E-Tron GT has with its optional all-wheel steering. It too has air-suspension but it’s a lot more advanced since Audi has developed and invested more into it over the years.
The Range
The most important thing for anyone wanting an electric car? Maybe so, and the E-Tron GT has a range of 303 miles. That’s a lot less than the 396 miles promised on the standard Model S Tesla. The RS model does a range of 280 miles which is almost 300 less than the new top Model S Plaid which is cheaper and faster to 60.
Audi does claim though that both cars store the energy in an 86kWh battery which can be charged up to a whopping 270kW which can charge the car up to 62 miles in 5 minutes. That’s insanely fast, but you need to find one of these fast chargers first. Using a typical wall box charger which most people will do, that takes a few hours to charge the car. Audi says it will take overnight if you are using a wall box.
That’s not bad in all honesty, but Tesla’s supercharger network is just so much easier and more accessible. Plus you have to do all of the charging malarkey a lot less often since the Tesla cars have a higher range.
The Build Quality
It’s time to laugh at Tesla again. The Audi E-Tron GT is yet another German electric car that is well built-in and out and it makes you wonder, why on earth would you want a Tesla? Fanboys, forget speed and supercharging for a second. The build quality on a Tesla is awful. In fact, for a luxury car, Tesla really does need to re-think their build quality. The excuse of being a new car company isn’t enough in the luxury car world. Tesla has had high flyers under the company too who have worked for big car brands around the world, surely they would make Tesla build better-built cars.
Let’s compare the new E-Tron GT to something more up its league. The Porsche Taycan, it’s unidentical twin. The Taycan has more screens inside and it feels sportier than the Audi. The interior in the E-Tron GT has more buttons and it is less driver-focused. We think the design isn’t as nice as the interior in the Taycan.
The build quality is probably on par with the Taycan. The fittings are all very good but it all seems to Audi. Boring that is but then again interior design has never been a strength for Audi.
The new Model S has somewhat a more exciting looking interior than the E-Tron GT. There’s more to talk about and the 10-gigawatt computer on which you can play video games sounds cool. The Model S is a trendier car inside but it is a shame that Tesla hasn’t yet mastered build quality. Maybe the Berlin built Tesla cars will be better than the Californian models.
The Verdict on Audi E-Tron GT
We’re happy. It’s everything we expected and we are extremely excited to see it on the road. It looks unique for a car in general, not just an Audi. It has character, a rarity in a modern Audi, and it’s pretty quick too. It is expensive for a reason. It is the flagship Audi electric car, and it’s essentially on a level with the R8 in terms of Audi hierarchy.
Would we buy one? It is costly and optional extras are a nightmare. It is handsome though, quite possibly the best looking electric car on sale right now. It does need a higher range though and a slightly more interesting interior. Maybe a sharper-looking rear end is needed too as it is a bit too round.
Featured image credits via: autoexpress.co.uk