Audi unveils all-electric e-tron GT and top end electric coupé: More speed, more dollars

Audi has unveiled its high-end e-tron GT and even higher-end RS e-tron GT electric coupé, both of which will be built using electric drivetrain technology designed originally for the Porsche Taycan electric sports car.

While images leaked just days ago gave some of the first sneak peeks at Audi’s latest pure electric offering, full details and specifications have now been revealed by the German carmaker.

Due to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2021, the new Gran Turismo-style e-tron is offered in two variants, starting with the “entry-level” quattro at a base price of €99,800 ($A156,240 at today’s rates). This is joined by the top-range RS e-tron quattro, priced from €138,200 ($A216,356 to today’s rates).

Both are key components of Audi’s efforts to spearhead the expensive but lucrative premium electric sedan market – in the face of the Tesla’s flagship Model S which has just undergone some serious upgrades itself.

Billed as “sporty, electric, and pioneering”, both push the envelope of Audi’s electric efforts to date.

Design-wise, the e-tron GT is a sleek four-door coupé that would appear to live up to Audi’s goal to deliver a vehicle that evokes desire and, dare we say, a bit of envy.

But it’s what’s under the hood, or rather the floor, that really counts.

Rated for 487km driving range (WLTP) from its 85kWh (usable capacity) battery, the base-level e-tron GT outputs 350kW of power (about 470hp) from its dual-motor setup on the front and rear axles combined, topping the e-tron quattro SUV’s 300kW by 50kW.

The RS version takes it up a notch with 440kW (about 590hp), while both models are fitted with a two-speed transmission motor on the rear axle.

Disappointingly, the rumoured tri-motor drivetrain with 520kW output that was thought would rival the Tesla Model S Plaid was not revealed for the RS -etron during Audi’s online event on Tuesday night (Australia time).

However, launch control pushes those numbers up to 390 kW and 475 kW respectively for a maximum of 2.5 seconds, just enough time to get hearts beating and palms sweating.

Using launch control will boost the e-tron GT to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.1 seconds from a standing start, while the RS version makes the sprint in 3.3 seconds. Top speeds are 245lm/hr and 250km/hr respectively.

As with the Porsche Taycan, which will be launched in Australia imminently, an 800-volt architecture delivers one of the fastest charging speeds on the market today – although while 350kW is theoretically possible, Audi, like Porsche, is software-limiting the top charge rate to 270kW for now.

That’s still enough to add 100km driving range in just five minutes, and it would be safe to assume that when the e-tron GT arrives in Australia it will benefit from the e-tron’s complimentary 6 year’s fast charging deal at Chargefox 350kW ultra-rapid sites.

Charging at these speeds this demands a serious cooling system, which Audi says it has addressed with four separate coolant circuits to ensure optimal battery performance when driving and charging.

At an AC charger, a charge speed of up to 11kW allows the e-tron GT to charge in less than eight hours, and Audi says an optional 22kW charger will be available after market launch.

Audi promises a smooth ride in the e-tron GT, with suspension geared for comfort and dynamics thanks to drive select, all-wheel steering, controlled damping, three-chamber air suspension, electric all-wheel drive, and the rear-axle differential lock.

Standard driver-assist features include lane departure warnings and cruise control, while additional driver-assist features are divided into packages dubbed “tour”, “city” and “park”. For example, adaptive cruise control falls under the “tour” package, remote park assist falls under the “park” package.

Audi does not specify if connectivity such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included but did confirm that MMI navigation plus media centre come as standard as with the e-tron SUV, bundled with LTE Advanced with integrated wi-fi hotspot.

Extra connectivity services include Audi’s emergency call and connect, hazard warnings and roadside car parking finder via car-to-X, and the e-tron route planner.