BBC Top Gear Magazine

Performanc­e unplugged

The all-new, all-electric Audi e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT will completely rewire the way you drive

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Combining all-electric efficiency with the spine-tingling performanc­e – and unmistakab­le looks – of Audi Sport, the e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT are the stars of Audi’s fully electric line-up. Here’s what you need to know about them...

LONG-HAUL TRAVEL

The e-tron GT may be pure EV, but it’s also a true GT. The RS e-tron GT can travel up to 283 miles* on a single charge, and the e-tron GT quattro can go up to 298 miles* (official WLTP test value). You can charge at home overnight, but on the road the 93kWh battery can be topped up at super-fast DC charging stations at speeds of up to 270kW. The e-tron GT charges from 5-80% battery in approximat­ely 36 minutes with a 150kW charger.*

PREPARE FOR LIFT OFF

Activate launch control, and the e-tron GT quattro will deliver up to 530PS and go from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds. You’ll go even faster in the RS e-tron GT, with up to 646PS in launch mode and a 0-62 time of just 3.3 seconds. So not only is it the first all-electric Audi RS, but it’s also the fastest accelerati­ng road RS in the Audi range.

21ST CENTURY QUATTRO

There are two electric motors, one at each end of the car, sending power to all four wheels. It’s a whole new way of thinking about quattro – Audi’s world-famous all-wheel-drive system, which was first developed for rallying and road cars in the 1980s. For the e-tron GT, Audi is aiming to take driving dynamics into a new dimension with versatile air suspension and rear-wheel steering for increased agility (optional on the e-tron GT quattro; standard on the RS e-tron GT).

ASCI-FI SOUNDSCAPE

The e-tron GT doesn’t just look futuristic, it sounds it, too. Both the e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT have a special synthesise­d exterior sound, giving the quiet electric motors an audible presence. A unique sci-fi style ‘soundscape’ is also available. Known as e-tron Sport Sound, the interior cabin speakers produce a pulsating frequency that changes pitch as you speed up or slow

down, like something picked up on some deep-space antenna.

SCIENCE WITH STYLE

The e-tron GT is long, wide and low, giving it a swept-back silhouette and beautifull­y balanced proportion­s, combining graceful lines with muscular shoulders and shrink-wrapped metalwork. Its shape also contribute­s to some aerodynami­c magic – with a drag coefficien­t of just 0.24, helping to maximise the all-electric driving range.

ACTIVE AERO

EVs don’t need traditiona­l air intakes, yet the e-tron GT’s front end is still inspired by

Audi’s signature single frame grille, only it conceals a network of sensors here. There are controllab­le inlets – in the ribs beneath the headlights – which work as active aero devices, opening to help keep electronic­s cool or channel air to the front brake discs.

ECO-TECH FABRICS

Along with traditiona­l upholstery, the e-tron GT is also available with a leather-free package* which includes a material called Cascade, that’s partly produced using fibres from recycled plastic bottles and textiles. In all e-tron GT models, the carpet and mats are made from Econyl, which consists of 100% recycled nylon.

LIGHT SHOWS

All e-tron GT models have a full-width LED lightbar across the rear, including scrolling indicators, helping you to be seen in even the murkiest conditions. Helping you to see ahead, all models have LED headlamps with 3D-effect running lights. Vorsprung versions, and all RS e-tron GT models, have high-tech matrix LED units with a laser feature, to double the beam’s range at speeds above 43mph.

CONNECTED COCKPIT

The cabin blends digital graphics with traditiona­l displays, while the wraparound design puts the driver at the heart of the car, but there’s still room for four passengers (the underfloor battery is specially shaped to create rear legroom). It’s also highly connected, with 11 antennas linking it with the outside world. The Audi Connect Navigation & Infotainme­nt package includes Amazon Alexa integratio­n and Google Earth™ navigation.

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 ??  ?? The e-tron GT comes with a choice of fine Nappa leather upholstery (as seen above) or a leather free package that is available on selected trims
The e-tron GT comes with a choice of fine Nappa leather upholstery (as seen above) or a leather free package that is available on selected trims

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