The pinnacle of electric performance

The wait is over. The stunning Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT models are set to start arriving in Australia towards the end of this year, with local pricing and generous specification confirmed for the high-performance, all-electric grand tourers.

Boasting captivating design married to extraordinary performance and the very pinnacle of the brand’s electric expertise, these high-performance grand tourers represent not only the future of e-mobility but the future for the Audi brand.

Pricing for their Australian arrival will see the Audi e-tron GT quattro priced from $180,200* while the first all-electric RS model from Audi Sport, the RS e-tron GT will start from $248,200*. Both will offer customers extremely high levels of specification and equipment when they arrive Down Under, in addition to a comprehensive ownership package to further enhance the high-performance, emission-free motoring experience.

In addition to Audi’s five-year warranty^ the e-tron GT and RS e-tron will be offered in Australia with six years of subscription to the extensive Chargefox fast-charging network nationwide as well as servicing and roadside assist for the first six years of ownership. In addition, the bodywork is also covered by Audi with a 12 year manufacturer warranty against corrosion perforation, as well as an eight-year battery warranty as is the case for all e-tron vehicles.

Indeed the compelling, aerodynamic design of the sleek, four-door sportscar have captured attention since the cars were first unveiled internationally last year. Head of Design at Audi, Mark Lichte, has called the e-tron GT his proudest creation and says it represents almost perfect proportions in a car of this type, the short overhangs and low roofline made possible partly by the all-electric nature of the beast. It is no surprise that the Audi e-tron GT has been named as a finalist in the World Car Design of the Year Awards for this year – as well as a finalist in the World Performance Car Award and World Electric Vehicle of the Year (winners to be announced in April).

Under the svelte exteriors these cars are all performance, with two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear – combining to produce an output of 350kW (390kW boost) and 630Nm in the e-tron GT and 440kW (475kW boost) and 830Nm in the RS model – making it the most powerful production Audi ever. In real terms, this equates to a 0 to 100km/h time of just 4.1 seconds for the e-tron GT and and a scorching 3.3 seconds for the RS e-tron GT, the 93 kWh battery delivering a driving range of up to 540 kilometres (WLTP combined range) while recharging at the maximum 270kW Direct Current (DC) capacity will allow customers to add 100km of range in just five minutes. 

Both models can be charged via a supplied 11kW AC home-charging kit (requires three-phase electrical infrastructure to support this), or up to 270kW DC fast-charging which restores 80 percent of charge in just 22.5 minutes. The 11kW AC home-charging solution can fully recharge the e-tron GT twins overnight and Audi Australia will offer the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT with a complimentary standard installation for charging at home through its partner JETCharge. 

Handling is every bit as impressive as the acceleration, with three-chamber adaptive air suspension standard on both models, switching from a silky smooth on the highways to incredible agility on twisting, challenging roads in the blink of an eye. Standard all-wheel steering on the RS model further adds to the handling dynamics, along with an e-quattro sport differential with torque vectoring.

Both models arrive with Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light as standard equipment, with the e-tron GT riding on 20-inch alloy wheels and the RS on slightly larger, 21-inch wheels, complete with tungsten carbide brake discs, clamped with distinctive red calipers. 

Inside the e-tron GT, luxury and state-of-the-art equipment has been beautifully blended with the obvious performance focus. 

Sport seats finished in leather upholstery (electric front seat) and complemented with either graphite grey or walnut grey-brown inlays, three-zone climate control, front seat heating, and comfort stationary remote air-conditioning, evidence that passenger comfort is a priority. The Dinamica interior package adds sport plus front seats with adjustable thigh support, vegan Dinamica seat upholstery and headlining also available for customers looking to add even more luxury interior features.

It goes without saying that the very latest Audi infotainment and safety technology form part of the package, with the likes of Audi’s Virtual cockpit plus, Audi Connect plus, wireless smartphone interface and charging, DAB+ digital radio and a Head-up display all standard equipment. 

The whisper quiet cabin is the perfect place to enjoy the 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, while a full suite of driver assistance systems including side assist, adaptive cruise assist, active lane assist, intersection assist, pre-sense, 360-degree cameras, as well as a tyre pressure monitoring system are all integrated into the electric grand tourer.

The RS e-tron GT interior adds RS sport front seats with ventilation and four-way lumbar support, as well as honeycomb stitching, and a flat-bottom sport steering wheel with heating capability and shift paddles. Amongst its myriad other features, the RS model also features its own unique ‘soundtrack’ – essentially an audio interpretation of the car’s performance which can be heard both inside and outside the vehicle as desired. And while it gives audio form to the car’s performance, only driving or riding in the RS e-tron GT will truly convey just what this vehicle I can do when unleashed in the right environment.

When the Audi e-tron GT quattro and the RS e-tron GT arrive on Australian roads it will be the striking visual presence that captures the imagination, but only those fortunate enough to get behind the wheel will appreciate the full significance of these vehicles and what they represent. This combination of blistering high-performance in a beautifully designed luxury grand tourer is special in itself. That it is achieved in a completely emission-free vehicle takes that equation into new territory and spells an exciting future for motoring enthusiasts and the Audi brand. Electric mobility has never looked so good or offered this level of performance.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges) 

^All Audi vehicles delivered to Australian customers from January 1 2022 are covered by a five-year warranty.