Audi Singapore continues to expand its offering of fully-electric e-tron models with the arrival of its new flagship models, the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. Together with the e-tron and e-tron Sportback in 50 and 55 variant guises, Audi has the most extensive EV offering in the premium segment. 

A new generation gran turismo: sportiness, convenience, and sustainability

It is an Audi such as the world has never seen before: With the e-tron GT**, the brand is demonstrating its plans for shaping an emotive and exciting future of mobility. The RS e-tron GT (combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 19.39 (NEDC), CO2 emissions combined in g/km*: 77.56) is the brand’s new flagship electric car. Both models are powerful, fast, and dynamic, and both have zero local emissions. The sum of these strengths adds up to a character that reinterprets the idea of the gran turismo.

 

Aesthetics arise from efficiency: the exterior design and aerodynamics

The exterior of the Audi e-tron GT** is a dynamic work of art with balanced proportions – a long wheelbase and wide track, large wheels and a flat roofline. The four-door coupé is 4.99 meters long and 1.96 meters wide, but is just 1.41 meters high. This is made possible by recesses in the high-voltage battery: The front passengers can place their feet in them, which allows them to sit in a low yet comfortable position. Every detail of the exterior design is harmonious – from the headlights (Audi laser light on the RS e-tron GT and LED-Matrix on the e-tron GT are standard for Singapore), the powerful quattro blisters, and the wheels, all the way to the large diffuser at the rear end. Customers can choose from nine paint colors and two styling packages. The roof is made of glass as standard, and of light carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) as an option.

 

Aesthetics arise from efficiency – the drag coefficient of the Audi e-tron GT** is just 0.24. Active elements manage the aerodynamics. Two controllable inlets supply the front brakes and the thermal management with cooling air as required. The rear spoiler extends to two positions depending on the driving situation. The fully paneled underbody, which flows into a broad diffuser, and the aero blades with which some wheels are equipped complete the aerodynamics concept. The outer skin of the electric gran turismo is made entirely of aluminum. Parts made of hot-shaped steel form the rigid and impact-resistant backbone of the passenger compartment, with support from the aluminum housing of the high-voltage battery. The front and rear sections integrate large components made of cast aluminum and aluminum profiles.

 

Spacious and elegant: the interior

In addition, the interior of the Audi e-tron GT quattro (combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 19.60 (NEDC), CO2 emissions combined in g/km*: 78.40) and RS e-tron GT (combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 19.39 (NEDC), CO2 emissions combined in g/km*: 77.56) offers the ambiance of a classic gran turismo. Separated by a wide center console, the driver and front passenger sit in a sporty and low position. The interior is airy, and the instrument panel is based on Audi’s “monoposto” design and so faces toward the driver. The storage compartment beneath the hood provides another 81 liters of volume.

 

The progressive elegance of the interior design emphasizes the character of the e-tron GT**. The third characteristic of the gran turismo, aside from sportiness and comfort, is sustainability. The floor carpet and floor mats are made of recycled material, such as old fishing nets, as standard.

 

Powerful: electric all-wheel drive and recuperation

With its two electric motors on the front and rear axles, the Audi e-tron GT** is a sporty touring sports car with a confident motor variant. Depending on the model, it delivers an output of 350 kW (476 PS) or, as an RS version**, 440 kW (598 PS); in overboost, the e-tron GT quattro can even briefly deliver 390 kW (530 PS) and the RS e-tron GT 475 kW (646 PS). The total torque is 630 Nm or 830 Nm. The RS model completes the standard sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. When the driver fully depresses the accelerator pedal from a standstill, the two-speed transmission on the rear axle engages first gear.

 

Thanks to its lightning-fast control operations, the electric all-wheel drive provides the e-tron GT** with maximum dynamism, stability, and traction in any driving situation. When the driver releases the right-hand pedal, the gran turismo usually switches to coasting mode. While braking, the electric motors perform decelerations alone up to around 0.3 g, i.e. the vast majority of all everyday driving situations.

 

Powerful and progressive: the e-tron sport sound

The e-tron GT (combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 19.60 (NEDC), CO2 emissions combined in g/km*: 78.40) is a work of art in terms of not only technology and design but also acoustics – that is, if the customer also ordered the e-tron sport sound, which comes as standard with the RS model (combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 19.39 (NEDC), CO2 emissions combined in g/km*: 77.56). Two control units and amplifiers generate a separate interior and exterior sound which is output by two loudspeakers each outside and inside the vehicle. The e-tron sport sound has a high-quality and progressive sound, and the driver can activate it and modulate its amplitude via the Audi drive select system.

 

Fast charging and long ranges: the high-voltage battery

The maximum range up to 488 kilometers that the e-tron GT** achieves is every bit as outstanding as its driving performance. Its high-voltage battery integrates 396 pouch cells with a flexible outer shell and provides a net capacity of 84 kWh (93 kWh gross). Its voltage level of 800 volts enables fast direct current (DC) charging with a maximum of 270 kW. Under ideal conditions, it takes only five minutes to charge for a distance of around 100 kilometers.

 

The thermal management of the e-tron GT** consists of four cooling circuits and keeps the battery and drive components at their optimum temperature levels. When the driver sets a fast-charging station as the destination in the navigation system, the battery is already cooled or heated to a temperature at which it can be charged as quickly as possible on the way to the charging station. The standard heat pump reduces the loss of range that the electric climate control causes in winter in particular. The free myAudi app allows the owner of the e-tron GT** to monitor and control the charging processes and pre-entry climate control from their smartphone.

 

Simultaneously dynamic and relaxed: the suspension

The Audi e-tron GT** suspension strikes a balance between dynamism and comfort. The installation position of the battery and the electric motor creates a low center of gravity and a balanced axle load distribution. The wheel suspensions are designed as a sporty wishbone construction, and almost all axle components – including the links and subframes – are made of lightweight aluminum.

 

Audi drive select, the driving dynamics system with four modes and controlled damping, comes as standard in every e-tron GT (power consumption combined in kWh/100 km*: 19.60 (NEDC), CO2 emissions combined in g/km*: 78.40). In the RS model (combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 19.39 (NEDC), CO2 emissions combined in g/km*: 77.56), the differential integrates an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that further improves agility and traction. The controlled three-chamber adaptive air suspension enables excellent ride comfort and a wide spread in terms of handling. The brake disks are coated with tungsten carbide, which further improves their already strong performance. All three features are standard for the RS e-tron GT in Singapore.

 

Extremely lightweight and fade-resistant carbon fiber ceramic brakes are available as an alternative for both models**. The all-wheel steering is another high-end option. At low speeds, it turns the rear wheels slightly in the opposite direction of the front wheels to increase agility and reduce the turning circle. At higher speeds, it increases handling stability by turning the wheels in the same direction. Wheels are in 20 inches as standard for the e-tron GT while the RS e-tron GT features 21 inch wheels.

 

Fully connected: controls, infotainment, and assist systems

Like all Audi models, the e-tron GT is connected extensively. The displays and controls operate via the digital Audi virtual cockpit plus that is controlled via the multifunction steering wheel and via the central MMI touch display. The third control level is the natural language control, which also accesses the knowledge of the cloud. The MMI navigation plus brings the online services from Audi connect on board. One of these is the e-tron route planner, which calculates the charging stops such that the driver reaches their destination as quickly as possible. A head-up display, is standard on both models.

 

Craftsmanship meets smart factory: production

The e-tron GT is the first fully electric car from Audi to be built in Germany. It rolls off the line at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe at the Neckarsulm site. The small-series production at this site was expanded and converted for its new task, in the course of which the skilled craftsmanship of the previous facility has been supplemented by digital processes and smart technologies. The electric gran turismo is assembled on a shared assembly line with the R8** high-performance sports car. The entire production process is net carbon-neutral. It uses 100 percent eco-electricity, with a combined heat and power plant fired with biogas providing the necessary heat.

 

Partnering to support customers in Singapore: SP Group

As part of the brand’s commitment to support customers’ journey towards sustainable mobility, all e-tron models bought through the official retail partner, Premium Automobiles, features a combination of charging options. These feature free home charger installations, which can include negotiations with building management (on behalf of strata title residents OR non-landed private residences), as well as charging credits of up to 18 months at all public charging points operated by SP Group. Information on the locations is available on the SP Utilities app.