Roughly a year after the major facelift of its electric Gran Turismo, Audi is expanding the e-tron GT line-up with a new powertrain variant. Following the S and RS models, it has introduced a new ‘base model’ with 430 kW of power and a starting price of €108,900 in Germany and €110,500 in Belgium.
Since the update, the e-tron GT has only been available as the S, the sharper RS variant, and the RS e-tron GT Performance. All offered at least 500 kW of power. Now, Audi is dialling it back slightly by launching the e-tron GT quattro as ‘the new base model’. Looking at the price tag, one can hardly call this car ‘basic’.
Slow? Not really…
With a system output of 370 kW/503 hp (430 kW with launch control), the new variant clearly slots beneath the 500 kW S e-tron GT. Still, with a proposed 0-100 kph sprint time of 4.0 seconds, it’s far from slow. Audi continues to use dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, promising that the drive torque is distributed “fully variably and at lightning speed” between the front and rear axles for “optimum traction in a wide range of driving conditions.”
The battery technology (800 V system) remains unchanged. As in the S and RS variants, the 105 kWh battery pack can be charged up to 320 kW/hour at DC fast chargers. The typical 10-80% charge is approximately 18 minutes. A 10-minute top-up should add up to 285 km of WLTP range. Audi also highlights a wider temperature window for full charging power, and the ‘e-tron route planner’ that preconditions the battery to ensure optimal fast-charging performance on long trips.
This setup enables an e-tron GT Quattro’s range of up to 622 km (WLTP), 13 km more than the more powerful S e-tron GT. Audi also says the new variant is 30 kg lighter than the S model, benefiting both efficiency and driving dynamics.
Daily use
Regarding communication about the newcomer, Audi focuses less on performance and more on the new model’s long-distance capabilities. Audi describes the new e-tron GT quattro as “ideally equipped for everyday use, whether driving on the highway or in city traffic.”
With a drag coefficient of 0.24 and active air intakes, noise levels are said to be particularly low, making it “ideal for relaxed driving.” Audi emphasises the J1 platform’s signature ‘footwells’ (cut-outs in the battery pack for improved rear passenger seating position), along with eight-way adjustable sports seats with integrated headrests in the front, which are said to offer high long-distance comfort. The boot takes 405 liters of luggage, and there’s a front trunk or ‘frunk’ of 77 liters.
In Belgium, this new ‘base model’ is available to order starting on the 15th, with prices starting from €110,5000. The S e-tron GT continues at €128,520, while the RS versions are priced at €155,550 and €163,430 respectively.
