Revamped Audi E-Tron GT gets more power, range

AUDI has revamped its flagship e-Tron GT ‘bahn stormer lineup, adding a hardcore RS Performance variant, with revised styling, more range and a huge power bump.

The range, which launched in 2021, but didn’t make its way to Australia until late 2022, will consist of three models; S e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT and all-out RS e-tron GT Performance.

Now the most powerful car Audi has ever produced, the top-spec RS e-tron GT Performance offers outputs and acceleration just shy of its mental Taycan Turbo S twin-under-the-skin.

To put things into perspective, the RS e-tron GT Performance produces 680kW and will rocket to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds, against the Porsche Taycan Turbo S’ 700kW 2.4 second sprint time.

The outgoing RS e-Tron GT produces 200kW less power and is almost a full second slower to 100km/h, so we doubt the 0.1 second deficit is something Ingolstadt loyals will care too much about – or notice on public roads.

Power is up across the entire range, with the base S e-tron GT producing 500kW and the RS e-tron GT up to 630 kW – now capable of reaching triple figures in 3.3 seconds and 2.8 seconds respectively.

Driving range is also improved, with up to 609 kilometres quoted by Audi, presumably for the base model S e-tron GT with its 18-19.7kWh/100km claimed energy use. The top-spec RS e-tron GT Performance has claimed use of 18.7-20.8kWh/100km, which is only marginally higher than the S model, suggesting strong drive range across models.

Other improvements include a new air suspension setup, with the option of an active system, which Audi says offers “an unprecedented spread between comfort and driving dynamics.”

The two-chamber, two-valve air suspension system negates pitch and roll by counteracting dynamic changes, with the choice of efficiency, comfort and dynamic modes. The RS e-tron GT Performance gets an additional track-focused performance mode.

Audi says that off the back of customer requests it has also paired its all-wheel steering system with a more direct front-axle steering ratio, compared with the outgoing model, reducing steering effort at low speeds.

A lighter, more energy dense 105kWh battery and improved electrical system further enhance the efficiency of the e-tron GT range, allowing energy recuperation – via the regenerative braking – of 400kW, up from 290kW.

The e-tron GT can now be charged or discharged with currents of up to 400 amps, with higher current flow available inside individual cells, and maximum charging power is up 50kW to a massive 320kW.

In the real world, this means the e-tron GT can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes at a charger capable of feeding it with the full 320kW whack of ‘juice’, and Audi says owners will be able to add 280 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes. 

Visual changes are discreet, offering a progressive update to the e-tron aesthetics by way of colour-matched ascents, more muscular air curtains and aerodynamic aids, and reworked wheel choices.

The top-of-the-line 21-inch forged and milled wheels pay homage to the ‘AVUS’ wheels found on the Audi Avus Quattro study back in 1991 but are a modern take on the iconic style.

Interior upgrades include a flat-bottom steering wheel, while RS variants get a 12 o’clock marking, and the seats have been improved with sport option standard in base S e-tron GT models. 

The digital cluster (or virtual cockpit in Audi speak) is improved, too, now displaying battery temperature and maximum possible charging power in real time.

In keeping with the 1990s’s heritage homage, Audi has also included a white power display and speedometer in the RS e-tron GT Performance model that tribute the colour scheme used for the 1994 RS2 Avant cluster.

Audi Australia told GoAuto it is still investigating timing and pricing for the e-tron GT range locally and will update us with information as it comes to hand.