2021 Audi e-tron GT Test Drive Review

What is it?

The new Audi e-tron GT has arrived as the firm’s range-topping electric model. We’ve already seen the company enjoy success with the regular e-tron SUV, but it’s now looking to build on this popularity with a car that can inspire and attract a bit of attention to its electric plans.

Needless to say, there’s a lot going on with this new e-tron GT. With so many features on board it’s easily one of the most tech-heavy cars Audi offers - so let’s dive right in and find out what it’s all about. 

What’s new?

The e-tron GT is underpinned by the same platform that you’ll find underneath the Porsche Taycan, combining a pair of powerful electric motors with a large battery. It also has the ability to charge at speeds of up to 270kW, which could add 62 miles of charge in as little as five minutes, or take charge levels from five to 80 per cent in just 23 minutes. 

The e-tron GT also incorporates Audi’s famous quattro-all-wheel-drive system for better traction and there’s the option of a more powerful RS version, too. ​

What’s under the bonnet?

As we’ve already mentioned, the e-tron GT uses a dual-motor setup, with one on the front axle and another at the rear. You get 470bhp combined, though this can be boosted to 523bhp for 2.5 seconds when using launch control. It allows for a 0-60mph time of just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 152mph. 

Audi claims that the e-tron GT will manage 295 miles from a single charge, and while rapid charging does bring quick charge times, plugging the e-tron into a regular home wallbox will result in a still-respectable full charge completed overnight. 

What’s it like to drive?

It’s testament to Audi’s build quality that the first thing you notice when moving away in the e-tron GT is a complete lack of any squeaks or rattles. A silent electric powertrain always highlights any issues in fit-and-finish, but thankfully there are none to report in the GT. 

The ride is also excellent, while the electric powertrain gives the e-tron GT an impressive turn of pace; press the accelerator for only a few moments and you’ll find yourself very quickly arriving at legal speed limits. There’s only a small amount of tyre noise to contend with, but the overarching impression of the GT is that it’s a car you’d happily spend many hours behind the wheel of. 

How does it look?

The e-tron GT is a striking-looking car to say the least, with all manner of exciting design touches incorporated into the car’s aesthetic. The front end is angular and hard to miss - particularly thanks to a huge Audi badge on the nose - while around the back the full-width light bar gives it a distinctly futuristic appearance 

At 4.99 metres it’s a very long car though, which does mean you have to take extra care when positioning the car at slower speeds or tackling sharper corners. ​

What’s it like inside?

The interior of the e-tron GT will be familiar to anyone who has spent some time in any of Audi’s recent vehicles, though it does away with the dual-screen setup we’ve seen on cars like the A6 and Q7, instead favouring a single display which is fitted alongside a range of traditional physical buttons. There are plenty of high-end materials in here too, while the seating position for both people up front is excellent.

There’s a decent amount of space for those sitting in the back too, though headroom might prove to be a bit tight for taller passengers. You also get a decent-sized boot, though much of its space is taken up by the charger cables, while a secondary load area in the nose is helpfully deep. ​

What’s the spec like?

As Audi’s flagship EV, it’ll come as little surprise that the e-tron GT is packed with standard features. There’s Audi’s now standard-fit Virtual Cockpit setup, which features a brilliant 12.3-inch screen head of the driver.

The 10.1-inch screen in the middle of the dashboard is where you’ll access media and satellite navigation functions too and it’s here that you can adjust various elements of the car’s setup, too.

Verdict

The e-tron GT is a real showcase of Audi’s commitment to electrification. This flagship model shows confidence in the technology, on top of its existing prowess with the standard e-tron.

With eye-catching looks and an impressively refined driving experience, the e-tron GT is a genuine all-rounder and one which shows that electric cars needn’t be boring to be capable.