E-tron GT


Audi have launched their most anticipated high performance electric vehicle which will rival with Porsche's Taycan and 2021 Tesla's model S plaid, E-tron GT has been revealed in two versions – regular and a sporty RS which is more performance focused.

  • Audi will launch the E-tron GT in India in late-2021.
  • E-tron GT’s dual motor setup gives out 475hp and 630Nm of torque.
  • RS E-tron GT powertrain will put out 598hp and 830Nm of torque.


E-tron GT concept was shown in 2018 and the production vehicle mostly justifies that concept car with all the resemblance 
The front resembles to the2020 Audi R8 which have a real front grill where as this have a fake one which covers all the radar and other sensors which is used for the car's driving assistance. The air vents at the bumpers are real and functional which occasionally opens and closes when it requires to cool down the 93 kWh battery which is set as low as possible for a approximate 50:50 weight distribution.
Coming to the side we can feel the effort made by Audi to reduce the drag which have brought down the drag coefficient to a whopping 0.24cd which is really low for a electric car of such style.
At the back we miss the exhaust which have fully occupied by the diffuser. Other design details include LED headlights and tail-lights with animations for the ‘coming and leaving home’ function. Wheel sizes range from 19-inch to 21-inch.

Performance


The standard E-tron GT quattro features a 238hp electric motor powering the front axle and a 435hp motor at the rear axle providing an all-wheel-drive layout. Both motors produce a total system output of 475hp and 630Nm. However, a boost mode takes peak power to 530hp for 2.5sec when using launch control. The top speed is 245kph, with 0-100kph achievable in 4.1sec. Total system output rises to 598hp and 830Nm of torque, thanks to a more powerful rear electric motor. In boost mode, power rises to 646hp, and the RS E-tron GT is capable of 0-100kph in 3.3sec, with a top speed of 250kph. The estimated range reduces slightly over the standard car to 472km.

It uses a 2-speed transmission for the rear motor, with a short-ratio first gear for acceleration and a long-ratio second gear for greater efficiency and high-speed performance.

The official WLTP range has yet to be set, but Audi’s predicted figure is 488km for the base GT with that huge 93 kWh battery beneath it.

Interior


Audi offers a leather-free design package that uses sustainable materials like Econyl, man-made ‘leather’ and wool-like Kaskade upholstery to name a few. Customers can also opt for a 16-speaker, 710W Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Audi has returned the  single 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system layout with physical button for the climate control which was missing in the 2020 Audi R8. Other features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, connected car technology and a wide variety of driver assistance and safety systems.

E-tron launch in India

The Audi E-tron GT is slated to be launched in India towards late-2021, in regular, S and RS trims. Audi is expected to price the E-tron GT on the higher side, with prices likely to start around the Rs 1.6 crore (ex-showroom) mark for the regular model. Once launched, the E-tron GT will compete with the Porsche Taycan. The German carmaker will also launch the E-tron SUV as its first EV in India.


By Nirmal Nandakumar