Audi e-tron GT quattro unveiled

Exterior design: dynamic sculpture with perfect proportions

The exterior of the e-tron GT is a dynamic work of art.

The long wheelbase, wide track, large wheels and low-lying silhouette provide the foundations for beautifully balanced proportions and highly effective aerodynamics.

The inverted colour scheme of the Singleframe radiator grille reinterprets the classic honeycomb pattern, and is optionally available in body colour for the first time in an Audi model. In RS versions the grille and lateral air inlets are framed by a black mask.

While the main purpose of the Singleframe in models with a combustion engine is to cool the engine, in the e-tron GT it conceals the majority of the sensors, with only the sections in the lower of the six corners remaining open for air supply. Behind these sections, and the large ribs under the headlights, are controllable cooling air inlets which provide active aerodynamics.

Lighting

Where the important and brand-defining aspect of lighting is concerned, UK versions of the e-tron GT will be equipped with LED headlamps with striking 3D-look signature daytime running lights and dynamic front and rear indicators as standard. Even more sophisticated Matrix LED headlights with segmented clusters that enable ultra-precise targeting of their continuous high beams will also be available for this model as part of an optional Comfort and Sound pack. All RS e-tron GT models, upgrade to Matrix LED units with Audi laser light, incorporating an additional laser spot active at speeds of 43mph and above to double the beam’s range.

Side view: a flow of lines

The e-tron GT’s elongated bonnet and flat windscreen merge elegantly into a rapidly sloping roof line, and the glass house extends tautly over the powerful body, drawing in particularly sharply towards the rear, where the gently inclined C-pillars blend beautifully with the body’s muscular shoulders.

At the rear, a visually offset diffuser creates a look which is unmistakable in the Audi product portfolio, while a sculptural full-width light strip with graduated light segments makes the e-tron GT appear even more powerful. A spoiler with integrated spoiler lip runs parallel to this and extends electrically into two different positions depending on the driving situation as another active contribution to aerodynamics. It works closely with the smooth underbody in the wide diffuser, allowing the air to flow cleanly off the rear end, and compensating to a significant extent for the lift that occurs at the rear axle at high speeds.

The windscreen is made of noise-insulating glass as standard. Components made of hot-shaped and therefore ultra-high strength steel form the strong backbone of the passenger cell, helping to maximise rigidity and noise suppression in combination with targeted insulation measures throughout the entire body.

In the e-tron GT quattro imposing 20 inch wheels with low rolling resistance tyres accentuate the four-door coupé’s powerful stance, while 21-inch designs in either platinum grey or gloss black (depending on version) give the various RS e-tron GT models even greater presence. A new production process used for the aluminium from which these wheels are made reduces net CO2 emissions considerably.

To complement the stylish wheel designs, nine paint finishes are available, including the new colour tactical green, and in the RS e-tron GT these are combined with a black styling package. In addition to this, the RS e-tron GT Carbon Black numerous driver assistance systems are either standard or optionally available for the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT.

Interior design

In the cabin, the upper section of the light, lean instrument panel with its pronounced three-dimensional look forms an elegant arc, and the display of the standard Audi virtual cockpit plus stands freely within it, while the MMI touch monitor surrounded by a black piano finish bezel appears to float in the central space.

The driver and front passenger sit low in the cockpit separated by a wide centre console which houses the gear selector switch, its compact design emphasising the sense of space and providing a highly precise haptic control experience. In the e-tron GT quattro they are gripped by sport seats with integrated head restraints and electric eight-way adjustment upholstered in a combination of leather and synthetic leather.

The rear seats offer sufficient space even for adults, who are able to sit lower and position their feet in what is known as a ‘foot garage’ thanks to a recess incorporated in the design of the battery pack running beneath the passenger compartment which effectively compensates for the tapering roof line. Their luggage can be stowed in the rear load area, providing a volume of up to 405 litres (14.3 cu ft) depending on version, and in a second luggage compartment beneath the bonnet offering a further 81 litres (2.9 cu ft) of space.

Sustainability is the new premium

The concept of premium sustainable mobility as defined by Audi naturally extends beyond the powertrain to features such as the optional leather-free design package for the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. It includes upholstery in a combination of artificial leather and the new material Cascade, which is produced using a proportion of recycled materials such as polyester fibres made from old plastic bottles, textiles, or residual fibres from selvages. The microfibre material Dinamica, which has similar properties to Alcantara and comprises recycled fibres, is also incorporated in elements such as the centre console, the upper sections of the door inserts and the upper part of the instrument cluster.

A leather package in various colours is also available as an alternative. It combines similar enhancements to upper and lower elements in either Fine Nappa leather or Dinamica microfibre. Regardless of the model chosen the floor carpet and floor mats are made from Econyl, a material consisting of 100-percent recycled nylon fibres from production waste, fabric and carpet remnants, or old fishing nets.

Controls and displays

All information appears on two large displays. The driver operates the Audi virtual cockpit plus (12.3 inches) via the multifunction steering wheel and controls the central MMI touch display (10.1 inches) via touch. Behind the control and display functions in the e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT is the state-of-the-art third generation modular infotainment platform (MIB 3).

The freestanding high resolution Audi virtual cockpit plus behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel allows the driver to switch between three screens: classic, sport, and e-tron. In the e-tron view, the focus is on the large powermeter that displays the status of the drive train and all important information on electric driving. The driver can access the infotainment, navigation and comfort functions, and input text, via the MMI touch display, which provides acoustic feedback. A natural voice control function, which understands many expressions from everyday language and can draw on both onboard information and knowledge from the cloud, can also be used.

Infotainment and Audi connect

Eleven antennas, all of them invisibly integrated into the car, connect the e-tron GT with the outside world, and the information they receive can be accessed by the driver via the MMI navigation plus media centre which features as standard in all models and also via the free myAudi smartphone app.

MMI navigation plus supports the fast LTE Advanced transmission standard and uses real-time data from the prevailing traffic situation as well as destination suggestions based on previously driven routes to guide the driver. Audi connect online services are also included and are split into two packages: Audi connect emergency call & service with Audi connect remote & control enables the remote control of the locking system, charging, and climate control, while the Audi connect navigation & infotainment package includes services such as traffic information online, navigation with Google Earth, and Car-to-X communication. It also grants access to the e-tron route planner, which uses traffic data and the driver’s driving profile to calculate the fastest route to a destination with the shortest possible charging stops at powerful DC charging stations. Naturally, the infotainment portfolio also includes features such as the Audi smartphone interface, which transfers smartphone content directly to the MMI monitor via USB or wirelessly if a compatible handset is on board, and the Audi phone box, which links smartphones to the vehicle’s antenna and charges them inductively, as well as audio systems of exceptional quality.

Drive and recuperation

The e-tron GT accelerates from rest to 62mph in 4.1 seconds, while the RS model needs 3.3 seconds (in boost mode in each case). Top speeds are governed at 152mph and 155mph respectively.

The front electric motor in the e-tron GT delivers 175 kW (238 PS), to which the rear motor is able to contribute a further 320 kW (435 PS), however both keep reserves available for extreme driving situations, meaning that the sum of their individual outputs exceeds the drive system’s total output of 350 kW (476 PS) by some margin. Up to 390 kW (530 PS) can be made available for 2.5 seconds in boost mode via launch control. The total torque is 630 Nm (464.7 lb-ft). In the RS e-tron GT, the electric motor on the front axle shares the e-tron GT’s 175 kW (238 PS) output, while the motor in the rear provides 335 kW (456 PS). The total output is 440 kW (598 PS), and the total torque is 830 Nm (612.2 lb-ft). In boost mode, the output briefly increases to 475 kW (646 PS).

With extraordinary power comes extraordinary range. The RS e-tron GT can travel up to 283 miles on a single charge; the e-tron GT quattro can go even further at up to 296 miles. And when it’s time to recharge, both cars have a 270kW high power charging capacity, which is even faster than our current e-tron and e-tron Sportback models at 150 kW, enabling a recharge of 5-80% in just 22.5 minutes.

e-tron sport sound

To further enrich the driving experience, a unique ‘soundscape’ is also available for all e-tron GT models. The e-tron sport sound, which is standard equipment for RS e-tron models and optionally available for the e-tron GT quattro variants, comprises two control units and amplifiers in the luggage compartment. These generate separate exterior and interior sounds and transmit them via two loudspeakers each outside and inside the vehicle. Data about the rotational speed of the electric motors, the load, the vehicle speed, and other parameters serves as the basis for the synthesised digital sound, the nuances of which vary depending on the work performed by the drive system.

Drivers can also modulate the sound via Audi drive select. In the “efficiency” profile, only the AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) is active, which already generates a broader sound than is legally required. In “comfort” mode the exterior sound is fuller, and it becomes even more powerful in the “dynamic” profile, when the interior sound is also added.

quattro reloaded: electric all-wheel drive

The e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT usually travel with electric all-wheel drive engaged, except when “efficiency” mode is activated via the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, in which case front-wheel-drive is prioritised. On slippery road surfaces, or when high power requirements or fast cornering demand it, the electric motor for rear-wheel drive is also activated in this mode around five times faster than with a mechanical quattro drivetrain. The electric all-wheel drive regulates the drive torque distribution between the axles continuously, fully variably, and within a few thousandths of a second.

When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the drive system usually switches to sailing mode, allowing the grand tourer to glide relaxedly and with impeccable refinement. The only exception occurs when ‘dynamic’ is the defined setting in Audi drive select, in which case the car recuperates in overrun mode. In both situations, the driver can use the paddles on the steering wheel to adjust two manual recuperation levels or select an automatic level in the MMI system. In this case, the predictive efficiency assist regulates sailing and recuperation on the basis of data from the navigation route and the on-board sensors. While braking, the electric motors perform decelerations alone up to around 0.3 g, i.e. the vast majority of all brake applications in everyday driving. This allows them to recuperate up to 265 kW. The hydraulic wheel brakes are activated only when the driver brakes very heavily, with recuperation remaining active almost until the vehicle comes to a standstill.

Driver assist systems

Numerous driver assistance systems are either standard or optionally available for the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. The Audi pre sense front and Audi pre sense basic safety systems are standard, as is the lane departure warning system, while other key technologies, including adaptive cruise assist, intersection assist and surround view cameras, are bundled into “Tour,” “City Assist,” and “Parking Assistance” packages.

A new driver assistance highlight is the remote park assist plus feature that forms part of the parking assistance package. It enables the driver to manoeuvre the Audi e-tron GT into and out of a parallel or bay parking space by simply pushing a button, and without needing to be seated in the vehicle. From outside, the process can be activated and supervised via the myAudi app on a smartphone. By keeping the corresponding button pressed, the car will roll into the space, making multiple manoeuvres if necessary, and once in position will switch off the drive system, activate the parking lock and lock the doors. Naturally the driver retains ultimate control of, and remains responsible for, the manoeuvre at all times.