Audi Expands EV Range With e-tron GT And RS e-tron GT

Audi, which brought us their very first EV, the e-tron SUV, will expand its electric vehicle range, with the introduction of the much hyped-about e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT; the brand’s very first electric 4-door coupe.

OneShift Editorial Team

09 Sep 2021

The e-tron GT’s exterior styling, according to Audi, arises from aerodynamic efficiency. The e-tron GT’s long wheelbase, muscular banged-out haunches, together with its large wheels and flat roofline, are made possible by recesses in the high-voltage battery, designed for the e-tron GT’s architecture. This allows passengers to place their feet within the battery recesses.

The underbody comes fully paneled to reduce drag, and together with its relatively flat frontal signature, and active wind-cheating elements, the e-tron GT boasts a slippery drag coefficient of just 0.24. Good news for Singapore buyers, Audi has included as standard, laser light on the RS e-tron, while the e-tron GT will come equipped with LED-Matrix arrangement.

Both EVs are equipped with a twin motor setup, driving the front and rear axles, with sporty rear-biased drive characteristics. The Audi e-tron GT boasts 476PS and 630Nm, and in overboost mode, punches out 530PS. The higher-performing Audi RS e-tron GT, on the other hand, delivers 598PS and an earth-turning 830Nm, and like the regular e-tron GT, allows for a short burst, upping power to 646PS. Both cars also have a 2-speed transmission which works on the rear axle, where it drops into first when the accelerator is floored. The added low gearing helps the RS-badged variant reach 100km/h in 3.3 seconds.

As a treat for the senses, customers who order the e-tron sport sound (standard for the RS), will have the sporty interior and exterior sounds, created by two control units and amplifiers, with loudspeakers on both the interior and exterior. The progressive sound can be activated and modulated through the Audi drive select system.

To ensure a sporty drive, the e-tron GT is equipped with a wishbone setup all-round, and weight is kept down with the use of aluminium components. Both GT cars get four modes and controlled damping, to adapt to different driving conditions, and moods. The RS e-tron GT further benefits from an advanced three-chamber adaptive damper system to provide anything from a comfortable drive, or to improve handling. There is also an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, integrated within the differential, designed to improve traction around corners. Braking power is also improved thanks to disks coated with tungsten carbide.

As an option, both GT cars can be fitted with lightweight and fade-resistant carbon fiber ceramic brakes for improved performance. All-wheel steering is also an available add-on, allowing for better maneuverability. The e-tron GT is shod with 20” rims as standard, while the RS features 21” wheels.

The e-tron GT is equipped with their MMI navigation plus infotainment hardware, fronted by a 10.1” screen and a 12.3” virtual cockpit plus instrument panel, that brings the online services from Audi connect on board. As an EV, Audi has also included the e-tron route planner, which calculates the charging stops such that the driver reaches their destination as quickly as possible. Apart from touch control, the infotainment system also supports natural language control, which accesses knowledge of the cloud, to understand commands, which the experience will improve with use.

On ensuring that the e-tron GT is built with conserving the environment in-mind, the entire production process is carbon-neutral, where their first GT EV built at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe at the Neckarsulm site; on the very same production line as their R8 supercar. The production facility has been expanded and converted for the e-tron GT’s production, and is fully eco-electricity, with a combined heat and power plant fired with biogas providing the necessary heat.

Apart from regular AC charging, the 800W, 64kWh battery facilitates fast DC charging, with a maximum charge speed of 270kW, which gives the Audi e-tron GT a maximum claimed range of 488km on a single-full charge.

Locally, as part of the brand’s commitment to support customers’ journey towards sustainable mobility, customers of e-tron models bought through Audi’s official dealership, Premium Automobiles, will have a combination of charging options. These feature free home charger installations, which can include negotiations with building management (on behalf of strata title residents or non-landed private residences), as well as charging credits of up to 18 months at all public charging points operated by SP Group. Information on the locations is available on the SP Utilities app.