Is This the Ultimate Electric Car? Audi RS e-tron GT Review
Scotty Reiss
|
It had me at “Woohooo!!!” and it gets better from there.
All I have to say is look at my hair. MY HAIR. The instant thrust of the silent torque that the Audi RS e-tron GT generates is enough to blow my hair back like I’m defying gravity. Just look.
View this post on Instagram
Priced from about $140K, and about $162K for our test model, when it comes to fun in an elegant luxury package, this electric car delivers. Instant torque propels you into the future; it leaves you thrilled to the core as you soar down the highway.
Surround that experience with 4 doors, a comfortable rear seat, Nappa leather and Alcantara ultra suede, an elegant silhouette and technology that gives you intuitive function at your fingertips, and this might be the ultimate sports car.
Related: Why Are Audi Owners Are So Enthusiastic About Their Cars?
The silhouette of the Audi RS e-tron GT is sculputed and elegant; the tail lights are also classic Audi. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The Audi RS e-tron GT is Porsche Taycan’s Sleek, Elegant Sister
Audi, which like sister company Porsche, is a division of Volkswagen, shares much with Porsche’s electric sports car, the Taycan. The Taycan, however, has more motor iterations — buyers can pick the level of power, battery charge capacity and other details.
Audi’s e-tron GT comes in 2 flavors: Regular and RS (and these differ from the e-tron line, which are SUVs). The regular e-tron GT is pretty fantastic, filled with luxury and performance features. But RS takes it all up a notch: more power, more luxuries and more fun.
Related: A Tale of Two Porsche Taycans: Which of These Luxury Electric Performance Cars Will Win My Heart?
The rear end of the Audi RS e-tron GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Audi or Porsche: How to Decide?
It really boils down to one thing: Are you a sports-focused luxury car driver, or a luxury car driver who appreciates sports performance? If you’re the first, Porsche is probably a better option for you. But if you want all the luxuries plus performance, Audi is the way to go.
The RS e-tron GT has a sublime exterior with a demure Audi silhouette, defined by a chiseled front end contrary to the distinct Porsche Taycan nose that is denoted by headlights that pop from the car’s frame. Then you’ll get Audi’s refined interior, Virtual Cockpit driver information screen and multimedia system and a suede steering wheel. The overall effect is an elegant silhouette defined by details that enhance the overall design.
Related: Can You Drive a Convertible All Year Long? The Audi S5 Cabriolet Says Yes!
The Audi RS e-tron GT’s virtual cockpit includes this satellite view driver information screen. Photo: Scotty Reiss
What is the Audi RS e-tron GT Like to Drive?
What a car is like to drive isn’t always the first thing I focus on in a review (unless it’s disappointing), especially with luxury cars since a great drive experience is expected. But in this case, I have to. Because this is FUN. Pure, genuine, giggly 637 horsepower fun. You step on the accelerator and this car whisks you ahead of traffic instantly. You feel it in your stomach; it blows your hair back; you see the world whizz by. It’s elating.
And then, there’s sport mode and sport sound. In the absence of that throaty, gurgly sound that we know performance cars for, Audi has fed the sound of the electric motor into the cabin and amplified it so you can hear it at work. It’s present but not overwhelmingly loud, adding to the feeling of soaring. You can turn this feature on or off, but I really liked to hear it so I left it on all week.
If you want to hear what it sounds like, you can listen to Audi’s recording of the RS e-tron GT here: https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/models/e-tron/e-tron-gt/2022/overview.html
The front ser of the Audi RS e-tron GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
How the Audi RS e-tron GT Performs: Battery and Charging
The RS e-tron GT has a range of about 230 miles generated by two electric motors that also provide all wheel drive. The battery range can be enhanced as you drive by using the regenerative braking system: there are paddles on the back of the steering wheel that allow you to adjust the amount of regenerative braking at work — so, a lot or a little. Or, you can set the system to automatic (under the menu Vehicle —> Efficiency Assist —> Recuperation) allowing the system to recuperate unused energy as it sees fit. Regenerative braking can cause a pretty dramatic slow down when you lift your foot off the accelerator, adding even more sport and fun to the drive experience (just keep your passengers in mind when you do this.).
Audi’s charging system is the same as the Porsche Taycan, and that means that it recharges quickly— one of the fastest charging electric cars: at a level 3 DC Fast Charger it can recoup up to 80 percent of the battery in about 23 minutes; at a level 2 charger (a public station or at home an outlet similar to a clothes dryer outlet) it can recharge overnight. Note that there are two charge ports: one for level 1 or 2, which is on the driver’s side and one for level 3, which is on the passenger’s side.
The command center in the Audi RS e-tron GT with the push button gear selctor and a key fob holder. The round touch pad next to it is the radio volume control. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The Joy of an Electric Car
There is a lot of magic to electric cars and designers really love playing with all the possibilities. One detail that I really like is that you don’t need to turn the car on or off. Put it in park, get out and walk away with the key and it turns off. Return, get in and it’s ready to go the second you are. You can push the stop/start button if you really want to, though.
And, you can use the Audi Connect suite of services (some are standard, others are subscription based) to manage the e-tron GT. This allows you to remotely manage the charging of the car, set charge times, access maintenance and road side assistance services, activate the car’s WiFi hotspot and even see the status of traffic lights before you get to the intersection.
Audi has added a few more great details, including a smart key, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, “Hey Audi” voice-activated assistant, and crisp, clear screens for both multimedia and driver information displays. All of these goodies are something you mostly likely will get in a luxury car, but in an electric car, you expect them. In the Audi RS e-tron GT, you expect them to be really good, and they are.
The front ser of the Audi RS e-tron GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
A Sporty Take on the Luxury Cabin
The RS edition of the e-tron GT sets a sporty tone with red: red seatbelts, red stitching on the leather and surfaces, red RS logos on the seats and front and rear badges. From there, suede adds performance: Suede inserts in the sport bucket seats keep your butt firmly planted while you accelerate around a corner. And the suede steering wheel gives your hands a bit of extra grip.
The front command center is tightly designed with a few small spaces for your stuff. There’s a small cutout that’s the perfect size for the key fob. Next to it is a small touch sensitive dial that gives you immediate control over radio volume and stations. Swirl it to turn the volume up or down, tap it the right side or left to switch stations.
The arm rest console is where you’ll find the wireless phone charger and the front seat’s two USB ports. The phone charge pad is vertical and has a clip to hold your phone against it. However, the pad is too small to hold my iPhone Pro Max; it fit better in the cup holders (perfectly, in fact). Despite the poor fit, though, my phone is better off tucked into the console; when connected to the Audi system from the console it gets a signal boost through the car’s wireless antenna. A nice bonus.
Rear seat passengers are not left out. Rear seat passengers are treated to sport seats with relatively deep seat wells so passengers sink in and feel tucked in for the ride. And, they cup passenger’s shoulders so they are further supported; as you take each curve and accelerate onto the highway they won’t feel tossed around. Despite the smallish size of the cabin, the footwells are deep, leaving enough leg room for even tall passengers (though will they want take the rear seat for a long drive? That’s less likely).
The RS badge lets you never forget how fun this car is. Photo: Scotty Reiss
What This Car Costs
Our test model had a starting price of $139,900 and all in, added up to $161,890 including a $1,045 destination charge. It was equipped with pretty much everything that Audi could think of, including a “Year One” package with:
- Exclusive 21” wheels
- summer tires
- ceramic brakes
- carbon fiber details
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Heated and vented massaging front seats
However, the RS e-tron GT has all the other goodies standard:
- Virtual cockpit with a 10” driver display and a 12” media display
- Alcantara suede
- Smart key
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- A carbon fiber roof (rather than a sunroof)
- Wireless phone charger
- Sport seats upholstered in leatherette
- Audi phone box
The Audi RS e-tron GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
When Luxury Means Having it All
The overall feel of this car is luxurious and elegant. The exterior shape and scale of the Audi RS e-tron GT is quintessential classic beauty. The front end is sculpted, the roof line flows toward the tail which ends in confident sportiness. The feeling continues inside with elegant Nappa leather and Alcantara microsuede. The cabin is quiet, even when the road and cars around you are not. And the premium Bang & Olufsen sound system lets you enjoy a rousing symphony or sing along with Beyoncé, adding to the soul-soaring experience. Welcome to the modern definition of performance.
Disclosure: Audi provided the RS e-tron GT for this test drive but all opinions are my own.