[Quick Review] Audi RS e-tron GT: An Athletic Powerhouse

Sleek and Impressive Design

The Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT, both born from the VW J1 electric vehicle platform, showcase a distinctive character compared to their “relatives” like the Porsche Taycan. The e-tron GT boasts sophistication and elegance through its carefully crafted body lines and cuts, leaving a strong impression as a true sports car.

The e-tron GT’s unique exterior features, such as the specially designed grille and wheels, along with the charging ports located under the A pillars instead of the rear fuel cap, make it hard to mistake this car for a traditional electric vehicle. The steep coupe-style roof further enhances its overall unity.

Thanks to its optimized design, the e-tron GT achieves an impressive drag coefficient of 0.24 Cd, the best among all commercial models from the German four-ring brand. This design improvement directly enhances performance, resulting in better acceleration and a longer range per charge (up to nearly 500km).

The Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT have been optimized to provide exceptional performance while still maintaining the striking sporty lines that are synonymous with the brand’s famous R8 model.

From an overall perspective, both the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT exude a welcoming vibe as they hit the road. Instead of trying desperately to differentiate themselves from other cars, these models seamlessly blend into the Audi family without compromising their electric nature.

The remarkable features of the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT lie in their interior usage and design rather than relying heavily on external aesthetics. This aspect of their design is particularly appealing to me. Don’t get me wrong, the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT are still outstanding and their bold, sporty design will definitely turn heads on the streets. They epitomize beauty, modernity, and allure!

Modern Technology-Filled Interior

Stepping inside the Audi e-tron GT, passengers will experience firsthand the sporty spirit that German engineers have painstakingly incorporated into this all-electric sedan. The premium leather sports seats are not just visually appealing with their honeycomb pattern material, but they also provide exceptional comfort and stability to the passengers.

The e-tron GT features a D-cut sports steering wheel with paddle shifters (although it only has two gears, the low gear ensures the best acceleration). On the steering column, you’ll find a heads-up display (HUD), a digital instrument cluster, and an infotainment screen centrally positioned on the dashboard.

This design approach avoids the trend of cramming multiple screens into a car, as seen in many other electric car models today. The focus here is on minimizing distractions for the driver, allowing them to fully enjoy the driving experience without unnecessary technological clutter.

Sitting in the rear seats, however, passengers may find the coupe-like rear roof design somewhat constraining. The panoramic sunroof, with its generously illuminated area, helps compensate for the limited space by creating a sense of openness.

The design of the coupe roof also renders the middle rearview mirror almost redundant. The side mirrors, though not excessively large, do not hinder visibility significantly, requiring only minor adjustments. The inconvenience is offset by the extremely clear 360-degree camera, which compensates for any visibility issues. Considering that this is a sports car designed with driving experience as the focus, this trade-off is quite understandable.

The e-tron GT duo seamlessly combines the coveted Audi characteristics: a compact yet luxurious and user-friendly interior. It doesn’t overwhelm passengers with an abundance of large screens like some other electric sedan models. Instead, it creates a feeling of gliding in a true sports car that is both fast and smooth.

Sporty Performance

The Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT, unlike the Porsche Taycan, are equipped with an 800V platform that features two powerful electric motors placed on both axles, delivering all-wheel drive capability. These motors generate a maximum power output of 350 kW – 630 Nm, which can be boosted to 390 kW – 640 Nm and 440 kW – 830 Nm, further boostable to an impressive 475 kW – 830 Nm.

Thanks to this configuration, the Audi e-tron GT can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds, while the RS e-tron GT achieves the same feat in a remarkable 3.3 seconds. In other words, the Audi e-tron GT and, especially, the RS e-tron GT deliver a supercar-like acceleration experience typically associated with internal combustion engines, but at a price that is roughly half that of comparable models equipped with traditional powertrains.

The e-tron GT’s exhilarating acceleration is both impressive and smooth, without any jerking or sudden movements. Although the acceleration itself produces no sound, the duo of sports sedans features a sound synthesis system that mimics the engine sound, which is played through the speakers to ensure a seamless and engaging experience during each acceleration.

Additionally, when the e-tron GT approaches, it emits a captivating and mystical sound reminiscent of spaceships gliding through the cosmos, akin to those depicted in Hollywood’s sci-fi movies (like Star Wars, for example). This sound creates a captivating first impression, much like an exciting “greeting” scene.

Complementing the impressive acceleration is the e-tron GT’s firm and precise steering, characteristic of German-made cars. The suspension system is engineered to provide accurate feedback on every road movement, enhancing the driving experience.

Consequently, while sitting in the driver’s seat, one can truly appreciate the emotions that this all-electric sports sedan evokes. However, passengers may find the ride somewhat bumpy due to the specially tuned suspension system, especially when seated in the rear.

In addition, the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT emit a distinctive noise from the wheel arches. This noise is a result of using extremely thin tires combined with large rims measuring up to 265/35R21 in order to maximize traction force (830 Nm) from all four wheels to the road surface, allowing the car to reach 100 km/h in just over three seconds.

Enhanced Practicality for Customers

The Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT come equipped with high-capacity battery systems that provide a range of up to 334 and 488 km respectively on a full charge. These ranges are perfectly suitable for pure electric sedans, allowing for comfortable weekend getaways and worry-free daily commute within the city.

Furthermore, with every purchase, Audi Vietnam offers a complimentary 11 kW ABB charger, in addition to the portable charger that comes standard with the car. This encourages easy and convenient home charging using standard power sources.

Another noteworthy aspect is the inclusion of two charging ports arranged on both sides of the A pillar, making the charging process exceedingly convenient. Currently, no other electric car in Vietnam offers this feature.

Audi Vietnam has also expanded its network of fast-charging stations, capable of fully charging the battery in just 30 minutes, and at no cost. Additionally, the first premium charging lounge has been opened in Ho Chi Minh City, offering luxurious amenities to customers driving Audi electric cars.

Currently, a three-year warranty with no mileage limit is in place for all Audi e-tron electric models in the Vietnamese market. Specifically, the battery system is covered by an eight-year or 160,000 km warranty.

Summary

With prices starting from VND 4.76 billion for the Audi e-tron GT and VND 5.9 billion for the RS e-tron GT, this duo competes head-to-head with the Porsche Taycan and Taycan Turbo in the pure electric sports sedan segment. The e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT promise a remarkable driving experience and unparalleled emotions.

The Porsche Taycan has successfully positioned itself as an electric car brand, thanks to its agility in entering the Vietnamese market ahead of its luxury car brand competitors. Porsche Taycan models also offer a wide range of versions to cater to diverse customer needs at various price points.

On the other hand, the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT provide more powerful configurations, a distinctive sports experience, and cutting-edge technological advancements. Furthermore, Audi Vietnam demonstrates its commitment to electrification by launching three electric models: the e-tron SUV, e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT. Looking ahead, Audi plans to introduce more pure electric models worldwide starting from 2026, with a particular focus on SUV models, further diversifying its product range and leading the market.

Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)