The 2023 Audi e-Tron GT is a four-door luxury electric vehicle that continues Audi’s push into an electric future. The vehicle that debuted in 2009 is a perfect manifestation of ‘beauty and beast’. It’s no surprise because Audi makes some of the most beautiful and elegant cars in the automotive industry. But, Audi did not envision the e-Tron GT for just looks; the EV's performance treads on supercar territory. Its 236-mile range may not necessarily put it in the same league as the Mercedes EQS or the Tesla Model S, but the e-Tron GT packs a few bells and whistles that make it an interesting proposition for EV enthusiasts.
10 The 2023 Audi E-Tron GT Offers Supercar Levels Of Performance
The Audi e-Tron GT packs a total of 522 horses that pushes it from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Flat out, it can do the quarter-mile in about 11.9 seconds. This feat is achieved through Audi’s groundbreaking Quattro technology (Audi’s all-wheel-drive system) that channels power from the motor to all four wheels maxing out at 152mph. Of course, the car would need reliable brakes to handle that type of acceleration and speed. The e-Tron is fitted with a vented dual-circuit braking system. The brake calipers measure 14.2 inches in the front and 14.1’ inches in the rear.
9 The 2023 Audi e-Tron Has A Gorgeous Design
From every angle, the e-Tron GT is an elegant-looking EV. The thin laser headlights look menacing but fit perfectly in the car’s sporty look. The e-Tron sits lower and wider on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard. Body lines in the e-Tron cascade towards the rear and the characteristic fastback roofline help the EV achieve a 0.24 drag coefficient, optimizing the aerodynamics. The taillight is a light bar that runs across the length of the rear. Most new Audis (and Porsches) are now adopting this rear light bar design, and they look amazing.
8 The Audi e-Tron GT And The Porsche Taycan Are Similar Under The Skin
As you know, Porsche and Audi are owned by the Volkswagen Group. This means that vehicle parts can be shared across brands in the VW umbrella. That is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a great way to reduce production costs, and it enables brands under VW to have access to tried and tested vehicle components. In the case of the Taycan and the e-Tron GT, it means sharing the same platform. Porsche originally unveiled the J1 platform in the Taycan. The platform was meant for a sporty electric coupe. It has a complex battery setup that allows for foot wells (foot garages) and a low riding height which is essential for sports cars. This is why the platform was perfect for the Audi e-Tron GT. If you put these vehicles side by side, you can see the resemblance.
7 The 2023 Audi e-Tron Has A Unique Transmission Setup
The e-Tron GT has sports car capabilities but is still a luxury vehicle. All that power needs to be delivered smoothly to the wheels to ensure an excellent driving experience. There is a motor on each axle. The front motor is mated to a single-speed direct drive transmission while the rear motor delivers its power via a two-speed gearbox. Over 500 horses and 465 pound-feet of torque are calibrated seamlessly via the transmission.This helps the e-Tron have great initial acceleration when launching and also maintains higher speeds for longer.
6 The Audi e-tron GT Is Tech-Laden
Audi’s Connect Infotainment system is best-in-class, probably only rivaled by MBUX from Mercedes. The aesthetics and the angular design of the crisp digital gauge display, and the intuitive infotainment screens all add to the impeccable driving experience. The 10.1-inch touch display helps you manage all your entertainment and car functionalities. There are physical switches for the climate controls which is convenient when going above 60 mph, and you need to do some adjustments. The center console of the e-Tron GT is also slightly tilted towards the driver emphasizing its sporty nature. Wireless Apple Car Play and wired Android Auto come as standard.
Audi has always been on the cutting edge of automotive technology. So, it should come as no surprise that the e-Tron GT comes standard with traffic assist and a heads-up display. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring are also available in the EV. The electronic-assisted steering is sharp and light. It may take away a little road feedback, but it works brilliantly for the sports car. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wired Android Auto are also included. Audis are notoriously known for accentuating the sportiness of its vehicles using fake vents. That is not the case with the e-Tron. The front vents are real, and they serve to smoothly direct air away from the front to reduce drag. The RS e-Tron GT has active vent flaps that open and close when needed. As an option, e-Tron buyers can have drag-reducing rims on their vehicles.
5 The 2023 Audi e-Tron GT Doesn't Compromise On Comfort
Audi has successfully walked the fine engineering line between performance and comfort over the years. This isn’t any different with the e-Tron GT. Heated front seats come as standard while the rear heated seats are an option. A premium Bang & Olufsen sound system comes with all the model ranges. The cabin is bathed in leather with brushed aluminum trimming. Carbon fiber inlays are available as a spec in the RS e-Tron GT. You can also get vegan leather and the floor mats are made from recycled woven plastic. The adjustable air suspension allows the low car to have a smooth ride. Then there are the little details like the electronic steering adjustment that most luxury brands still overlook – but Audi doesn’t.
4 The Audi E-Tron GT Has A Rear Row, But It Isn't Spacious
The e-Tron GT is officially marketed as a five-seater EV, but the back middle passenger might feel a little cramped because of the sloping roofline. Plus, the two rear seats are bolstered leaving limited space for the middle passenger. This is however nit-picking because the e-Tron GT can comfortably sit four people on a long drive, just like any other sedan. So a small family will definitely find the e-Tron more than capable. The boot space is decent, although not the best. Luckily, the e-Tron keeps the frunk from the 2022 e-Tron GT. Also, adding to its practicality, the rear seats fold down completely. This increases boot capacity and e-Tron GT owners can carry larger and longer items.
3 The 2023 Audi e-Tron GT Comes With Sound Emulators
Audi has engineered interior and exterior sounds to improve the driving experience and help in accident prevention. The e-Tron GT makes sounds when driving at low speeds (whether driving forward or in reverse) to alert pedestrians of the car. This is because EVs are generally silent and might catch pedestrians unaware when approaching. Complete silence in the vehicle’s cabin is also unnatural and may lead to driver and passenger disorientation. Audi engineered subtle sounds that mimic refined ICE noises so that e-Tron drivers can have a sense of familiarity when driving.
2 The Audi RS e-Tron GT Upps The Ante Even More!
The Audi RS e-Tron GT is the performance-tuned version of the e-Tron GT. All components in the cars are the same except that the RS e-Tron is engineered to produce more power from the motors - a total of 636 horses. The RS also generates a staggering 616 pound-feet. It tops out at a higher speed of 155mph and can do 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. Aesthetically, the RS badging is what differentiates the two models. The RS e-Tron GT has the RS badging in the trunk, on the headrest of the seats, on the bottom of the front door seals, and at the bottom of the steering wheel. Carbon fiber trim on the interior and exterior come standard in the RS.
1 The Audi e-Tron GT versus the Tesla Model S
Tesla is usually the yardstick for EVs, and since this is an electric four-door sedan, there is no better Model to compare it to in the Tesla lineup than the Model S. The biggest disparity with the e-Tron GT, of course, is the range. Electric cars have come a long way and many of them easily surpass the 236-mile range the e-Tron has. The New Model S Teslas have a range of over 400 miles. But, the shortcomings stop there because the Audi e-Tron GT is head and shoulders above the Model S in everything else. The interior of the e-Tron is just magnificent and the active air suspension provides a comfortable driving experience. Tesla has a great infotainment system, but nowhere near as intuitive as the Connect Infotainment in the e-Tron. Overall, the e-Tron edges out the Model S when it comes to the driving experience.