Three years ago Audi launched its first high-performance electric car, the e-tron GT which shared a platform and mechanics with the Porsche Taycan. In the RS variant it immediately took the title of the most powerful Audi ever (646 HP) and its lines were also widely appreciated. Now the updated version is arriving, for which the German company has provided some internal and external aesthetic touches, substantial changes to the powertrain and an expanded range from two to three versions. Going into specifics, to appreciate the new design you need to have an excellent visual memory: the shapes of the front bumpers, those of the rear extractor, some colours, the design of the alloy wheels and little else are different. But on the other hand, the e-tron GT didn’t need any upheavals, not even inside where there are new coverings and software upgrades.
The autonomy, however, was certainly not a flagship of the e-tron GT and therefore here is a nice increase of around 100 km depending on the versions, for a WLTP approved total ranging from 585 to 609 km. The credit goes to the greater capacity of the batteries – 105 kWh gross and 97 kWh net – which are also 9 kg lighter thanks to the new “pouch” cells. The ability to recover energy during deceleration has also increased, with electro-hydraulic braking now recovering 400 kW and no longer 290 kW. The driver can still choose between three levels of engine braking, but now he also has information available such as the battery temperature, the maximum charging power available and the state of pre-conditioning prior to charging. Another increase concerns the charging power accepted in direct current, which rises up to 320 kW; it means that up to 280 km of travel can be added in 10 minutes.
All interesting data, but the ones that leave you speechless concern the combined power of the two electric motors (front and rear) which, in addition to configuring all-wheel drive without a transmission shaft, total supercar numbers: the Audi S e-tron GT has 680 HP, the Audi RS e-tron GT rises to 856 HP and the Audi RS e-tron GT performance “stops” at 925 HP, also becoming the most powerful production Audi in history. The latter takes just 2.5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h and is limited to a top speed of 250 km/h. On a dynamic level, the dual-chamber adaptive air suspension (active optional) and the rear steering wheels on the RS performance are confirmed. Finally, as regards prices, the Audi S e-tron GT starts from 128,400 euros, the RS from 159,400 euros and the RS performance from 175,400 euros.
