Audi RS e-tron GT (2024 - ) Electric review

You will need a six-figure sum to get your hands on the entry-level S e-tron GT, which is considerably more than the cheapest Porsche Taycan. Granted, this isn’t a like-for-like comparison – every e-tron GT has all-wheel drive whereas you can get a Taycan with rear-wheel drive only. Given the combination of power, technology and comfort in the e-tron GT, you do get a lot of car for the money. Running costs should be considerably less than petrol-powered equivalents if you can charge at home and if you are a company driver you’ll also get Benefit In Kind advantages for as long as they last.

Audi has not rated highly for reliability in various well-regarded surveys recently. However, as an electric car, the e-tron GT has got fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel equivalent and underneath it shares a lot of with Porsche’s Taycan. You will get the standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty from Audi which you can extend for extra piece of mind. Additionally, the battery has its own eight-year/100,000 cover, so you can rest easy.

The e-tron GT comes with the usual safety features including traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter and lane keeping assistance. It will even warn you if it thinks you are getting too close to the car in front. All this, combined with Audi’s signature all-wheel drive Quattro system and the controlled way the e-tron GT delivers its power, fills you with total confidence whatever the situation. Vorsprung models also get a night vision assistant which uses an infrared camera to scan the road ahead and warn you of people or animals you may not have seen in the dark.

The e-tron GT has a decent amount of space, but its stylish coupe-like shape borrows some of the rear headroom and the separate boot doesn’t offer the hatchback flexibility you’ll find with the new A6 e-tron Sportback. However, it should still prove practical enough and there is also a small front storage space (or frunk) under the bonnet if you need a little more room. Front passengers will enjoy the new sports seats with 14-way electric adjustment while higher spec models add the choice of leather upholstery and massaging seat function. Depending on which model you go for, you’ll find varying degrees of recycled materials used for things like the headlining and the new steering wheel which is heated on all models. Adaptive air suspension is standard on all variants and the car even raises itself a little to help you get in. Vorsprung models get an active suspension system which is better still and helps the car to glide over rough surfaces and prevent you from rocking around in the corners.

Audi has increased the number of standard features in the e-tron GT, so you won’t be wanting for any creature comforts. All cars get a Bang & Olufsen sound system, heated front seats, ambient lighting, all-wheel steering, and a head-up display. The infotainment is powered by Audi’s latest MMI system which supports smart phone integration and has Google built into the sat-nav. A panoramic glass roof which can turn opaque with the push of a button is also standard on higher-level model, or you can add it as an option. Each model has slightly different finishing touches using a variety of materials, and RS e-tron GT Performance cars gain camouflage effect carbon inserts to match the external highlights. Those bits are very Marmite.

All versions of e-tron GT now provide more power than before, with each level in the range upping the ante. The standard S e-tron GT is no slouch with up to 680 horsepower, then there’s the RS e-tron GT with up to 857 horsepower, but the RS e-tron GT Performance we drove had a mind-blowing maximum of 925 horsepower. Each model requires you to be in launch control to achieve these numbers, but in regular driving the RS e-tron GT Performance has 748 horsepower and its breath-taking acceleration meant we didn’t feel the need to press the boost button for a temporary squirt of 95 more. The whole car is beautifully controlled with lovely steering and, unlike most electric cars, the e-tron GT has a low and sporty driving position, helping to disguise the car’s weight so it feels nimble and fun to drive. Officially you should be able to enjoy up to 374 miles between charges in the S e-tron GT, but the RS e-tron GT Performance model we tested averaged 2.7 miles per kWh, suggesting it would fall significantly short of its official 364-mile range. However, recharging should be quick, with Audi claiming you can top up from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 mins.