Following the reveal of the e-tron SUV and the PB18 e-tron supercar, Audi has used the recent Los Angeles Auto Show to showcase its latest fully electric vehicle – the e-tron GT Concept.
But before we go any further, let’s get the stats out of the way first. 434kw. 0-100kph in 3.5 seconds. 0-200kph in 12 seconds. 400km of range. Make no mistake about it, the Audi e-tron GT Concept is something really special.
The fully electric e-tron GT Concept was born out of a direct collaboration between Audi Sport and Porsche, which sees the e-tron GT sharing its platform and battery pack with the upcoming Porsche Taycan EV. This isn’t the first time Audi and Porsche are collaborating though, as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q8 share their underpinnings and mechanicals, and the Panamera Turbo is expected to share its powertrain with the upcoming Audi RS7 too.
While it might look relatively compact in images, this is a big car - roughly the same size as the A7 - measuring 4.96m long, 1.96m wide, and boasting a nearly 3m long wheelbase. The car retains the signature singleframe Audi grill up front, and gains the sporty silhouette of Audi’s A7, 22-inch wheels and aggressive good looks - all of which will likely remain as the car goes into production.
According to Audi, the four-seater GT will boast the dynamism expected of a Gran Turismo, capable of a top speed of 240kph and running Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. Thanks to a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, the concept e-tron GT can travel over 400km according to the new WLPT standard.
Charging the battery, can be done in two ways: using a cable or contactless induction with Audi Wireless Charging. If you choose to use the cable, Audi has fitted a 800-volt system which reduces charging time to around 20 minutes in order to get the battery to 80% capacity; enough for around 320 km. If you prefer the convenience of charging wirelessly, Audi will install a charging pad at the driver's house allowing it to charge when parked.
The e-tron SUV and e-tron GT will be two of a dozen fully electric models that Audi plan to launch by 2025, and the first three will be on the market by the end of 2020, the next 9 need to be introduced in five years, which means one new electric car every six months, on average. It should be noted that while the e-tron GT will go into production by the end of 2020, initial deliveries won’t commence until early 2021.
And if you would like to see more of the e-tron GT before it hits roads some time from now, the sporty coupe will be starring in the new Avengers film set to open worldwide in the second quarter of next year. While it hasn’t been confirmed who will be driving it, it is expected that Tony Stark will be given that honour, considering his fast affinity for the Audi brand.
Also worth a look: the Audi Rs3 and the Out with the Old, In with the New: Audi A5 Replaces A4 in So.
FAQ
Q: What does the Audi e-tron GT cost in South Africa?
The Audi e-tron GT is expected to start around R2,500,000 when it arrives in South Africa, making it a premium electric GT that competes directly with the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid.
Q: How fast can the Audi e-tron GT accelerate?
The e-tron GT Concept rockets from 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds and reaches 200kph in 12 seconds, thanks to its 434kW electric powertrain and quattro all-wheel drive system.
Q: What is the range of the Audi e-tron GT on a single charge?
The e-tron GT delivers over 400km of range according to WLTP standards, powered by a 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can charge from 20% to 80% in around 20 minutes using 800-volt fast charging.
Q: Is the Audi e-tron GT better than the Porsche Taycan?
The e-tron GT shares its platform and battery with the Taycan but offers Audi's signature design language and potentially better value, though both deliver similar performance with the GT's 434kW matching the Taycan's top variants.
Q: When will the Audi e-tron GT be available in South Africa?
Audi South Africa is expected to launch the e-tron GT in late 2024 or early 2025, following its global production rollout and the establishment of proper charging infrastructure support.
Should You Buy It?
The Audi e-tron GT Concept represents the future of luxury performance, and if you've got R2,500,000 burning a hole in your pocket, this is absolutely worth considering. With 434kW of pure electric fury, 0-100kph in 3.5 seconds, and 400km of range, it delivers supercar performance with daily usability. The best electric GT under R3,000,000 in South Africa will likely be this e-tron GT, especially considering its shared DNA with the excellent Porsche Taycan but with Audi's more accessible luxury approach. Yes, you should definitely consider buying it if you're ready to ditch petrol forever and want to make a serious statement about sustainable performance, just make sure you've got access to fast charging infrastructure first.
