See all Motoring NewsWhat's this?
Audi, like many manufacturers, is creating a new, all-electric sub-brand, which it has chosen to christen ‘e-tron’. It originally was appended to a plug-in hybrid version of the A3 Sportback, which has confused things slightly, but the first ‘true’ e-tron was the premium SUV Audi launched in 2018. The e-tron GT is a high-performance four-door saloon (or possible a five-door fastback) that will sit above the e-tron, and it looks to share much of its electrical DNA with the recently launched Porsche Taycan – nowhere is this more evident than in the e-tron GT’s glasshouse.
What will its rivals be?
None other than that aforementioned Taycan, as well as the Tesla Model S. There’s also the Aston Martin Rapide E to contend with, as well as any large electric cars that might be on the way from BMW’s i department.
Any tech info?
It will employ the Taycan’s 800-volt electrical system, which – says Audi – means it can suck down charge at a rate of 350kW, allowing its 90kWh-plus battery to be recharged in just half an hour or so. So that it doesn’t step on its distant-cousin Porsche’s toes, power will be rated at about 590hp. Which is still enough to see the quattro all-wheel-drive e-tron GT hit 100km/h from rest in 3.5 seconds and run on to a 240km/h limited top speed. The lithium-ion battery pack will be mounted in the floor, to keep the centre of gravity low, while the e-tron GT is said to have four-wheel steering, aiding its agility at higher speeds.
What will the range be like?
Audi claims a range of around 400km, which is a touch more than the most powerful models of the Taycan claim as a minimum. Whether there will be higher- or lower-powered derivatives of the e-tron GT, as there is with the Porsche, remains to be seen.
Expectations?
They’re high, but as Audi has already whipped out the e-tron SUV, there’s less of a ‘shock value’ impact to the e-tron GT. Also, the Taycan has stolen much of its thunder, although it’s wholly understandable that the wider Volkswagen Group’s premiere performance-car marque should have had access to this 800-volt EV platform first. Nevertheless, the e-tron GT should be another desirable player within the zero-emissions, premium arena.