Review: the Audi RS e-tron GT is beautiful to look at and to drive yet practical enough to use every day

Published on 21 August, 2022

Overview

Electric car sales are increasing steadily and more car manufacturers than ever are going with the electric vehicle (EV) tide. The days of petrol and diesel engines are numbered yet there are still some who baulk at the idea of an emission-free sportscar. But those who mourn the loss of roaring engines and exhaust fumes in favour of large batteries and potent motors have clearly never driven the RS e-tron GT, Audi’s first fully electric performance model and their most powerful ever.

Our test car this week shares much in common with Porsche’s Taycan, an all-electric car that outsold the German car maker’s 911 sports car in 2021 and is the third most popular model in their line-up. Shared components
include the same Volkswagen Group electric platform, battery and electric motor.

With sculptured sleek lines and a dynamic profile, the RS e-tron GT is stunning from every angle. It comes in two “flavours”: the standard e-tron GT with a range of 479km and the 0-100kmh speed of 4.1 seconds and the more powerful RS model that accelerates from zero to 100kmh in just 3.3 seconds but comes with a reduced range and an increased price.

Sliding into the RS is a joy and once you’re inside it’s unlikely you’ll ever want to get out. In the tradition of a grand tourer the cabin is ideal for long journeys and the rear-seat room will appease even the tallest of passengers. Audi’s virtual cockpit strikes the perfect balance and is both high-tech and user friendly. The central touch display manages the infotainment, navigation, comfort functions, and text input. Boot space is a reasonable 350 litres; the storage compartment under the front bonnet offers an extra 81 litres of space.

Press the start button and the driving experience is serene: while on quiet back roads you can appreciate the sharp steering and handling it also soaks up motorway miles effortlessly. You can switch between “comfort”, “efficiency”, “dynamic”, and “individual” modes via a physical switch. Reassuringly there’s an array of electronic driver aids including the Audi Pre Sense safety systems, a collection of high-tech features designed to protect you and your passengers.

Charging is simple and very fast as the RS comes with 800-volt technology that enables fast DC charging including just five minutes for a distance of approximately 100km and roughly 22.5 minutes to bring the battery from 5pc back up to 80pc.

Priced from €142,430, Audi’s RS e-tron GT is certainly not cheap but it’s an intoxicating blend of comfort and functionality and it offers the kind of performance the discerning driver craves. The RS is clear proof that carmakers can produce electric vehicles that inspire the traditional sports car drama and excitement.

There’s a term in economics known as the Jevons paradox. It’s the idea that if something uses less energy then we’re more likely to use it more or in the case of cars the greener they get the more we’ll drive them. Yes, I have to admit I found myself ditching Google maps and taking the long way round but it had more to do with the sheer thrill of driving the RS and less about the energy saved.

Star rating: 4/5