Audi undercuts Porsche Taycan with ballistic e-tron GT electric four-door twins landing in September
Audi has revealed pricing and specification details for two new flagship performance models within its Australian range: the 2022 Audi e-tron GT and Audi RS e-tron GT.
The two all-electric four-door sports ‘coupe’ models are due to arrive from September this year, about 18 months after their global debut and 12 months later than initially expected.
In doing so, the Audi e-tron GT and Audi RS e-tron GT will give the German car-maker an answer to the Porsche Taycan S, with which the e-tron shares its fundamental underpinnings, as well as a slew of rival performance EVs including the Tesla Model S Plaid.
The 2022 Audi e-tron GT is priced from $181,700 plus on-road costs – a circa-$8000 advantage on the most affordable Porsche Taycan 4S.
Meanwhile, the even more berserk 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT is priced from $249,700 plus ORCs, which undercuts the comparable Porsche Taycan Turbo by about $20,000.
Beginning with the ‘entry’ e-tron GT, power comes courtesy of two electric motors, one on each axle, combining for a total output of 350kW (390kW for short intervals) and 630Nm.
The e-tron GT feeds energy from an 85kWh battery pack, bringing a 4.1-second 0-100km/h time and claimed WLTP driving range of up to 488km.
Audi says the e-tron GT includes a two-speed transmission and thermal cooling for repeatable performance and optimum open-road efficiency. Three-chamber air suspension is also fitted standard.
Standard features on the entry car include 20-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, electric sports seats (with front seat warmers), three-zone climate control, digital instrument display, wireless smartphone interface and charging, digital radio, a head-up display and 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
On the safety front, the Audi e-tron packages side assist, adaptive cruise assist, active lane assist, intersection assist, pre-sense, 360-degree cameras and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Meanwhile, the RS e-tron GT sits at the pointy end of the EV segment for price and performance, boasting 440kW (475kW boost) and 830Nm from its two electric motors, fed by a more powerful 93kWh battery.
The RS e-tron GT offers a slightly shorter range together with a scintillating 0-100km/h time of 3.3 seconds.
The RS adds larger 21-inch alloy wheels, black exterior styling, ventilated front seats, carbon-fibre inlays and Nappa leather upholstery.
It also adds standard performance features such as rear-wheel steering and carbide-tungsten coated brakes, plus a rear differential lock.
Like the Porsche Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT uses 800V technology for faster recharging, the manufacturer claiming that the e-tron GT is rated at 270kW from a DC ultra-fast charger and can add 100km of range in just five minutes from a 350kW charger.
Each model is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, and six years’ complimentary charging courtesy of the Australia-wide Chargefox network.
Described by Audi Australia as a new halo model, the e-tron GT purchase includes a basic home installation program under Audi’s partnership with Australian start-up JetCharge.
A left-hand drive evaluation model, finished in District Green, was flown into Sydney for the today’s Australian premiere.
“The e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT look stunning, offer incredible dynamic performance, but most significantly they do this while emitting zero emissions,” said Audi Australia chief Paul Sansom.
“The e-tron GT is what the performance car of the future looks like.”
How much does the 2022 Audi e-tron GT cost?e-tron GT – $181,700
RS e-tron GT – $249,700
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Keyword: Audi e-tron GT: Aussie pricing and specs