Audi has given its e-tron GT four-door electric sports saloon an update with new technology under the skin and a revised model line-up. The new range is available to order now and includes a rapid Performance-badged model for the first time.
How is this new? It looks the same as before?
It's been three years since the Audi e-tron GT was first unveiled, so this is a mid-life refresh for the pinnacle of the company's electric model range. While the car's overall look is largely unchanged, there are a series of tweaks under the skin that are designed to improve the e-tron's performance, range, charging capability and handling.
Audi has also taken the opportunity to revise the model line-up, with the choice of S e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT Performance variants, with increasing degrees of sportiness on offer with each version.
Tell me about the visual updates
Kicking off with the S e-tron GT, this model features a new front end design where the ‘singleframe’ grille is now surrounded by a black mask, with an embossed 3D design within it and extra body-coloured trim, too. There are redesigned bumpers front and back to improve airflow, with a new diffuser being the biggest change to the rear end.
The RS model adds a honeycomb-style grille design and L-shaped aerodynamic blades, which are echoed at the rear of the car, where Audi has also added a motorsport-inspired vertical red reflector in the middle of the diffuser. For the RS Performance model there's a matte carbon roof and what Audi calls 'carbon camouflage', a design of carbon fibre that is being used for the first time on an Audi.
All versions of the e-tron GT now come with Audi's latest two-dimensional badges, while an optional Black Optics package adds dark exterior trim. There are new alloy wheel designs, including a 21-inch six-spoke option for the RS models that's inspired by the wheels of Audi's 1991 Avus concept.
How about the interior?
There are redesigned seats, new wooden inlays and revised tech on board, while the steering wheel has a flat top and bottom. Recycled materials are used in the carpets and upholstery, while Audi's ‘Dinamica’ synthetic suede is said to cover 37-45 per cent of the cabin. Available as an option is a new panoramic glass roof that has liquid crystal technology allowing it to turn from clear to opaque at the touch of a button.
There are new dials as well, with the ‘Virtual Cockpit’ instrumentation now able to show the battery temperature and real-time maximum charging power when the car is plugged in. The central touchscreen has also been revised with additional connectivity and the ability to download more apps from the Audi online store.
What has Audi done under the skin?
The electric motors have been revised and uprated. All models have front and rear-mounted motors for quattro four-wheel drive, and the maximum power outputs are 679hp for the S e-tron GT, 856hp for the RS e-tron GT and 925hp for the Performance version, making it the most powerful production car that Audi has ever built.
Acceleration times are subsequently rapid, with the S model managing 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, the RS model managing it in 2.8 seconds, and the Performance trimming another three tenths off with a time of 2.5 seconds.
As well as going fast, the new e-tron GT should slow down quicker, too, with enlarged steel discs for the S model, and tungsten carbide-coated items available as an option on the RS versions.
Air suspension looks after the ride and handling with a new damping system that's designed to improve driving dynamics without harming comfort. Audi is also offering an active suspension system that is designed to keep the body level during hard cornering, but also helps to eliminate bumps entering the cabin when cruising. The rear-wheel-steering system has also been updated for increased agility.
The battery pack, at 625kg, is 9kg lighter than before. It has a 105kWh capacity with 97kWh usable, plus improved cooling and higher cell density that should help deliver a longer range. Full details have not been confirmed but a maximum official range of 605 kilometres was mentioned in the release. Audi has also increased the level of energy recuperation under braking, from a maximum of 290kW for the outgoing car, up to 400kW.
Maximum charging speed is increased to 320kW, so a high-power DC charge point will be able to replenish the battery from 10-80 per cent in as little as 18 minutes. Audi hasn't confirmed the maximum range for the revised e-tron GT line-up but we can certainly expect an improvement over the outgoing car.
Irish pricing for the new Audi e-tron GT has been confirmed with the S e-tron GT starting at €139,635, the RS e-tron GT from €163,395 and the RS e-tron GT Performance from €177,650. The order book is now open.