I’ve got a head-turner for you this week! This is the beautiful 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT, a super-fast all-electric sedan.
Performance
This sport sedan is powered by a 93.4-kilowatt battery with electric motors in the front and rear, essentially making it all-wheel drive. This gives the e-tron GT the equivalent of 637-horses and it will propel you from 0-to-60 in a mere 3.1 seconds, but some reviewers have clocked it in just 2.9 seconds. Either way, that is amazingly fast.
Looks
This Audi has caught people’s attention everywhere I’ve been with beautiful 21” wheels, red brake calipers, a deployable rear spoiler, a carbon fiber roof, and beautiful body lines. It sits low and has a very wide stance. It shares many of the same elements of its sister vehicle, the Porsche Taycan electric.
Interior
Inside, it’s all Audi with all the luxury you’d expect. The front Nappa leather seats are heated and cooled and they will massage you. The bolsters can be adjusted for snugness and are quite comfortable.
The gauge cluster is colorful and has a multitude of different configurations depending on what you want to see, including a 3D navigation screen. Your battery range in miles is always visible and there is a head-up display with sign recognition.
High on the dash is a 10.1” touchscreen that operates the Audi multi-media interface and controls the radio, media, your phone, navigation system, vehicle settings, and more. You can swipe left for even more choices. There are shortcuts if you swipe down, including raising the rear spoiler.
Under the screen are your air conditioning and seat climate controls. Keep going down and you’ll find the drive modes, parking assist and parking sensors, and a button to turn off traction control. Drive modes include efficiency, comfort, dynamic, and individual. Dynamic is awesome but will drain that battery range much quicker.
The center console houses a couple of cup holders, a round flush-mounted dial to adjust radio volume-which I find a little annoying-I just use the steering wheel volume dial. This is also where the gear selector sits: Push forward for reverse, and back for drive. Above that is the normal park button, or when you get where you are going, just hit the start button or open the driver’s door, it will automatically go to park.
Technically, this is a 5-passenger sedan and while back seat leg-room is good, I would not want to get stuck in the middle seat, it looks uncomfortable. There are back seat temperature controls and two somewhat hidden charging ports on the front side of the rear seat.
Trunk space is pretty good and the back seat does fold down for more space, but the cord case for the charger does take up some room. Also, don’t forget the frunk, the space in front where an engine normally sits that could house a decent size piece of luggage.
Equipment
Although electric, this is a true luxury car and comes with everything you’d expect except for a moonroof, due to the carbon fiber roof. It has Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, and a 3D Bang & Olufsen sound system that is terrific.
On the safety front, you get adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, forward collision alert, cross traffic warning, lane departure warning, parking sensors, and a terrific rearview camera.
Ride and Drive
The e-tron GT drives like a sport car, because it is. Acceleration is insane, it will literally throw you back in the seat. There is a launch mode that gives you a 2 and ½ second unlimited burst of power that takes the car to a new level.
I’ve said many times, most electric cars as they are would not work for me. Charging times are too long and range is not enough.
However, this one could work. The range on battery is 238-miles, not enough normally, but the charging time is exceptional. With a fast charger, which is becoming more readily available, or you can install one in your home, you can get an 80% charge in just 23 minutes. That would work for me. There are charging ports on both sides of the car, something I’ve never seen, but very handy.
Besides the acceleration, the e-tron GT handles fantastic and corners like it is on rails, thanks to four-wheel steering. Inside and outside there is a simulated noise-not actually an engine noise-it’s hard to describe, but it works and it warns pedestrians you are coming. It’s not obtrusive, I find it kind of cool.Radio Show
In EPA ratings, this Audi is rated as the equivalent of 81 miles per gallon. The MSRP as you see this one is $161,890 before the $7500 federal tax credit is applied. It also comes with 3-years of free public charging.
Verdict
I like electric cars and I love the power and quick charging time of the Audi RS e-tron GT, not to mention it is one good looking ride and best of all, it doesn’t look like an electric car, it just looks like a hot sports car.
- What I liked most: Looks, acceleration, and handling.
- What I would change: I wish it had more range.
- MSRP: Base price: $139,900; as equipped: $161,890.
- Fuel Economy: MPGe of 79 city/82 highway/81 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 5,100 miles.
- Weight: 5,171-pound curb weight.
- Spare Tire: Full-sized spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 196.4” long/85” wide/55.6” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: N/A.
- Official Color: Tango Red Metallic.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2022 RS e-tron GT in a few words: A beast of a car with amazing acceleration and wonderful handling, all wrapped in a luxury sedan.
- Warranty: 4-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty with 4-years of roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: Helbronn, Germany
- Manufacturer's website: Audi USA
Photo Credit: Audi.
