The e-tron GT, Audi’s flagship EV and platform-mate of the Porsche Taycan, is now on sale in the U.S. and available for test drives at dealerships. Customers can configure their cars at the Audi USA website. The 2022 e-tron GT and sportier RS e-tron GT are the brand’s first electric grand tourers and serve as the halos of Audi‘s electric portfolio and more sustainable future.

“The e-tron GT is a stand-alone Gran Turismo, reinterpreted for the future,” explained Markus Duesmann, CEO of Audi AG, at the February online media world premiere of the car. “Its looks are a testament to premium automotive design. Bringing impressive driving performance, this is electro-mobility in the most emotive way.

“And with its sustainable concept, it takes a stand,” he added. “Because it’s not just the drive concept that is sustainable. The entire production at our Böllinger Höfe site now has a carbon-neutral energy balance. This sends an important signal—for the site, our workforce, and the future viability of Audi.”

After its market launch in Germany in May, the car comes to the U.S. market supported by an ecosystem that Audi says is designed to make going electric seamless. This brings available benefits including a three-year public DC fast-charging plan at no additional cost, available customized in-home Level 2 charging solutions, and a concierge customer experience.

 

Head-turning design

The head-turning e-tron GT design is headlined by large wheels, a wide track, and a long wheelbase. Radiator and brake duct air inlets that can close when not needed are just some of the body elements that help to optimize aerodynamics. The car’s 0.24 drag coefficient aids with efficiency and an easy top speed. Under the flat greenhouse and sloping roofline is an interior with “generous seating for five.”

“For me, progress means creating something new,” said Marc Lichte, Head of Design, Audi AG, at the earlier media launch. “Something that no one has ever done before in this form. Designing a fully electric vehicle is like this: the entire design process has to be thought through anew.”

The car is similar in size to market-leading chief competitor Tesla’s Model S, at 4989 mm (196.4 in) long, 1964 mm (77.3 in) wide (excluding mirrors), and 1396 mm (55.0 in) tall with air springs—on a 2900-mm (114.2-in) wheelbase. The unladen weight of the base car without a driver is about 500 lb (227 kg) heavier than the equivalent Model S at 2276 kg (5018 lb), with a gross weight limit of 2840 kg (6261 lb).

To offset the heavy battery pack, the car’s structure uses a steel/aluminum composite mix. Constellium provides the aluminum: Surfalex auto body sheet for the rear doors and fenders, Securalex for the hood inner, and the HSA6 family of high-strength 6XXX-series extrusion alloys for crash management systems.

The RS gets a lightweight, carbon-fiber roof panel—a first for an Audi vehicle and a segment-exclusive feature.

 

800-V power and 270-kW charging

The permanently excited synchronous dual-motor powertrain of the base model produces 469 hp (350 kW) and 464 lb·ft (629 N·m), with up to 522 hp (389 kW) and 472 lb·ft (640 N·m) in “overboost” mode. This enables 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration in 3.9 s and a limited top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h).

The front and rear motors in the top RS model produce 590 hp (440 kW), or 637 hp (475 kW) with overboost, making it the most powerful Audi yet. Total system torque is 612 lb·ft (830 N·m). The RS can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.1 s—on par with the V10-powered Audi R8 supercar—while generating zero direct emissions. RS top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

As with the Taycan, a unique feature for the EV segment is the car’s two-speed transmission, intended to provide rapid acceleration in first and relaxed cruising from a taller second gear.

The e-tron’s 93-kW·h lithium-ion battery pack has an integrated cooling structure underneath. This draws heat away from the pack and allows it to be housed within an aluminum frame designed for structural rigidity and to protect occupants. Combined with a U.S. EPA-estimated 79-83 MPGe means estimated ranges of 238 mi (383 km) for the base model and 232 mi (373 km) for the RS.

For comparison, the slowest Model S is as fast as the quickest e-tron GT and goes about 170 mi (274 km) further, at an EPA-estimated 405 mi (652 km), on a charge of its 7-kW·h larger 100-kW·h battery pack.

The e-tron GT’s limited range is offset by an 800-V electrical architecture providing DC fast-charging at up to 270 kW. This enables the addition of about 180 mi of range in about 22 min. The 5-80% battery charging time is said to be among the quickest of any electric vehicle.

Electrify America will provide three years of complimentary charging on its nationwide network of more than 600 public stations, with plans to have about 800 charging stations and about 3500 chargers by the end of 2021.

Audi is working with Electrify America and partner Qmerit to provide customized home charging solutions for one or multiple spots in a garage, including the recommended Level 2 AC wall boxes and professional installation. Customers will have the option of installing a 9.6-kW charger.

 

Driving and user experience

On the chassis front, driving dynamics are enhanced by fully variable power distribution of the electric Quattro drive with torque vectoring or the available e-torque vectoring plus, which includes a locking rear differential and inner-wheel braking for improved handling.

Customers can choose available rear-wheel steering for enhanced responsiveness and handling. The system allows the rear wheels to turn a maximum of 2.8 degrees in the opposite direction from the front wheels at speeds up to about 30 mph (48 km/h), after which they turn in the same direction.

U.S. e-tron GT models come with standard 20-in 5-double-spoke alloy wheels, with the RS having standard 20-in 5-spoke AERO wheels or available 21-in wheels.

The standard three-chamber air suspension providing a wide variation in spring rates between softest and firmest settings for comfort in daily driving or nimble reflexes for better handling, respectively. From the comfortable base suspension setting, it can adjust the body 22 mm (0.9 in) downward and 20 mm (0.8 in) upward. The air springs are coordinated with electrically controlled dampers by a central control unit, the electronic chassis platform.

Inside, the standard leather-free interior incorporates recycled polyester waste materials in Dinamica from Miko and Alcantara; Nappa leather is available. The “monoposto” cockpit angles the 12.3-in virtual cockpit toward the driver and supplements the central 10.1-in MMI touch-response display. The standard flat-bottom steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara or optional leather.

 

Starting manufacturer suggested retail prices are $99,900 for the base model and $139,900 for the RS.

Audi of America says it believes the future is electric. Its U.S. model lineup will be 30% electrified, including fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, by 2025. Soon joining the growing fully electric Audi range of e-tron GT, and the e-tron and e-tron Sportback SUVs launched last year, will be the Q4 e-tron crossover.