Audi E-tron GT


Debut: 2021
Maker: Audi
Predecessor: No



 Published on 26 Mar 2021
All rights reserved. 


The E-tron GT shares all mechanical and electrical bits with Porsche Taycan, yet it has its own personality.


When R8 is cruising to retirement, E-tron GT emerges as Audi’s halo model in the new electric era. Well, a 4-door, 2.3-ton grand tourer can never replace a V10-powered mid-engined supercar, but it is closer to a sports car than you might think. If you don’t believe, just look at Porsche Taycan. It is no secret that Audi E-tron GT is the sister car of Taycan. Both share the J1 platform with the same battery, electric drivetrain, suspension and even the same proportion. You may see it as a slightly slower but more luxurious kind of Taycan. However, they do not share the same production line. The Audi is built in the Böllinger Höfe facility near Neckarsulm, sharing the same production line with the R8, remarkably. Meanwhile, the Taycan is built at the Zuffenhausen main plant of Porsche.

The E-tron GT is slightly longer and taller than its Porsche sister, but they share a wide and low-slung proportion. Therefore, it looks slimmer and lighter than, say, an A7. Predictably, Audi applies its own design language so that you won’t notice its association with Taycan. While the Porsche is smooth and curvy, the Audi is edgier, has sharper flanks and a more angular nose. Perhaps that is why its 0.24 Cd is not quite as outstanding as Porsche’s 0.22. Personally, I prefer the styling of Taycan, as it is more original and coherent. In contrast, the Audi’s front end is a bit busy. It tries hard to look stylish, but the styling elements are neither elegant nor innovative. That said, the biggest appeal of its exterior remains to be that sleek proportion.



The cabin has no trace of Porsche, everything is unique and finished in Audi’s fashion.


The table turns in the interior. Again, you won’t tell it is derived from Porsche. Many car makers save money by sharing interior parts across their platform-mates. Not here, because Audi and Porsche know very well the importance of differentiating their personalities, something crucial to luxury car business. The E-tron GT’s cabin is completely new. Although it is governed by the same hardpoints, such as the prominent transmission tunnel and the same wheelbase, the dashboard, the console, the digital instrument panel, the door panels and actually every surface are unique. In fact, they have more in common with other high-end Audis, even sharing the same touchscreen. Moreover, while Porsche relies on 2 touchscreens to do everything, the Audi offers only one touchscreen, leaving good old hardware buttons and dials to control the air-con and audio, which is actually more ergonomically sounded. On the downside, you might say this cabin looks a bit conventional, something many other rivals deliberately avoided in their EVs. Build quality is typical Audi grade, but the choices of materials aren’t as luxurious as you might expect for a high-end Audi, which is a missed opportunity to distinguish itself from Taycan.

Like the Porsche, you sit lower than other EVs in the E-tron GT, giving a sportscar feel. Despite standard panoramic roof (you may opt for carbon-fiber roof to save a few kilograms from its highest point) and batteries located underneath your bum, the car offers plenty of headroom, a bit more than Porsche. Rear legroom is also good, thanks to carving out rear footwells from the skateboard floorpan. Although the frunk and truck are shallow, they are slightly larger than those of Taycan.


The RS model turns into corner with a sharpness this side of the R8...


As in Taycan, the 93.4kWh worth of battery is located under floor and the rear seat (smaller battery option will follow). Like Porsche, too, the Audi is launched with two top-of-the-line models: E-tron GT and RS E-tron GT. Their prices start from £80,000 and £110,000, respectively, slightly cheaper than Taycan and R8. Both models employ twin-motors for 4-wheel drive, and the rear one is about twice as powerful as the front. The E-tron GT produces 476 hp and 464 lbft, but in launch mode it can be “overboosted” to 530 hp and 472 lbft for 2.5 seconds, sufficient to record 0-60 in 4.0 seconds. Top speed is capped at 152 mph. See it as an equivalent of Taycan 4S with long-range battery.

Meanwhile, RS model runs a more powerful rear motor, lifting its output to 598 hp or 646 hp in short overboost, accompanied with 612 lbft of torque. It is able to crack 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and top a regulated 155 mph. That’s marginally less powerful and slower than a Taycan Turbo. It goes without saying Porsche won’t let its Audi sister to touch the territory of Turbo S.

The duo can travel around 480 km or 300 miles, slightly longer than Porsche. 800VDC / 270 kW quick charging is standard.

Most mechanical parts are taken from the arsenal of Porsche, including a 2-speed gearbox for the rear motor (unusual for an EV), height-adjustable 3-chamber air suspensions and 4-wheel steering option. The base model is equipped with rear LSD, while RS model comes with an active differential. Braking is provided by steel discs on the base model, while cast iron discs with carbide coating serve RS. Carbon-ceramic brakes are optional.
 


Calmer steering and looser body control makes it less sporty than Porsche, but it makes a lot of sense as a 4-door GT or sports sedan.


On the road, as expected, the E-tron GT is quick, while RS model feels as quick as a conventional supercar, thanks to that relentless stream of torque. However, the acceleration is not quite as violent as the Taycan Turbo S, which is why it takes 3.2 instead of 2.6 seconds to propel you from rest to 60 mph. It feels more progressive, less like a surge from off to on. Less thrilling that might be to some, but it is still fast enough to surprise people used to conventional motors.

As for chassis, Audi also tuned it to feel like an Audi. Compared with Taycan, its steering is lighter, especially on center. Kickbacks are better filtered out, giving a calmer and more relaxing feel. As the helm is less talkative, you don’t need to make constant corrections. Less involving it might be, once you give it some lock, it still responds positively with directness and precision.

Likewise, the Audi’s suspension is a tad softer than Porsche’s. It doesn’t control its motions quite as tightly, displaying more roll in cornering and pitch in hard braking, but still it is firm and composed enough to have fun on challenging roads. The adjustable air suspension broadens its ability. In Comfort, it rides pliantly on B-roads. Sportier modes keep it stable in faster turns. Most important, with two motors and an active differential, the RS model turns into corner with a sharpness this side of the R8. Understeer is all but dialed out. Ultimately, the 2.3-ton of car still stops you from feeling like driving a sports car. Its calmer steering and looser body control make this task less accomplished than its Porsche sister.

As a 4-door GT or sports sedan, however, it makes a lot of sense. More attractive and better to drive than a Tesla Model S, more comfortable and affordable than Porsche Taycan, and more advanced-feeling than an AMG GT 4-door, it finds a unique market space. That said, the E-tron GT might be more sensible when it expands the range downward. If an entry-level model with 400hp, single motor, RWD and 79kWh battery (like the base Taycan) can be bought at £65,000, it will be truly a steal.

Verdict: 
Specifications





Year
Layout
Chassis
Body
Length / width / height
Wheelbase
Engine
Capacity
Valve gears
Induction
Other engine features
Max power
Max torque
Transmission
Suspension layout
Suspension features
Tires
Kerb weight
Top speed
0-60 mph (sec)
0-100 mph (sec)
E-tron GT
2021
Front & rear motors, e-4WD
Aluminum+steel monocoque
Aluminum
4989 / 1964 / 1413 mm
2898 mm
2 x electric motor
Battery 93.4kWh
-
-
-
476 hp (overboost 530 hp)
464 lbft (overboost 472 lbft)
2-speed automatic (rear)
F: double-wishbone / R: multi-link
Adaptive air spring, adaptive damping
F: 245/45ZR20 / R: 285/40ZR20
2276 kg
152 mph (limited)
4.0 (c) / 3.6*
8.5*
RS E-tron GT
2021
Front & rear motors, e-4WD, 4WS
Aluminum+steel monocoque
Aluminum
4989 / 1964 / 1413 mm
2898 mm
2 x electric motor
Battery 93.4kWh
-
-
-
598 hp (overboost 646 hp)
612 lbft
2-speed automatic (rear)
F: double-wishbone / R: multi-link
Adaptive air spring, adaptive damping
F: 265/30ZR21 / R: 305/30ZR21
2347 kg
155 mph (limited)
3.2 (c) / 2.9*
6.9*


























Performance tested by: *C&D





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