Audi, a pioneering brand with a solid commitment to an all-electric portfolio by 2033, is confidently driving towards its electric future.

The German carmaker has announced its intent to solely roll out electric vehicles (EVs) from 2026 onwards, leaving its diverse array of combustion-powered models to reach the end of their respective lifecycles.

Not limiting its electrification journey to SUVs, Audi plans to bring its celebrated line-up of sporty sedans into the electric age. With this strategy in place, we're delighted to confirm the long-anticipated arrival of the E-tron GT, Audi's electric super-sedan, in Australia. Now available in the standard model ($180,200) and the RS variant ($248,200), the liftback-style saloon made its grand debut in Canberra recently, with some buyers already taking possession of their cars.

The Australian roll-out was notably delayed due to Audi's strategy to prioritize markets where significant tax levies are imposed on petrol vehicles, resulting in a delayed local release compared to the European debut in March 2021 and New Zealand's unveiling in August of the same year.

Despite this, Audi Australia's General Manager, Jeff Mannering, has revealed that the top-tier E-tron GT is resonating well with Australian consumers, with nearly 20 cars being delivered as of December 2022. This can be considered a commendable achievement for a high-end performance model. The 350kW E-tron GT, priced at $180,200 excluding on-road costs, and the majority of the deliveries in December were of the even more powerful 350kW RS E-tron GT, which is priced at $248,200 excluding on-road costs.

Sharing its platform with the already well-received Porsche Taycan, a high-performance EV with over 1,000 sales in Australia, it's clear that the E-tron GT has a fierce contest ahead in the high-performance EV segment. The burning question now is, has Audi done enough to tip the scales in its favor? Only time will tell.

What are the prices for the Audi e-tron GT range？

The Audi e-tron range starts with the e-tron GT quattro priced from $180,200 plus on-road costs, while the faster RS e-tron GT costs $248,200 before on-roads.

2023 Audi e-tron GT pricing:

Audi e-tron GT quattro: $180,200

Audi RS e-tron GT: $248,200

Prices exclude on-road costs

What’s under the bonnet? 

The Audi RS e-tron GT and the standard e-tron GT quattro both harness the power of a 93.4kWh battery (with a net capacity of 83.7kWh), utilizing dual electric motors – one positioned at the front and one at the rear – providing all-wheel drive via a two-speed transmission (a feature mirrored in the Taycan).

Ordinarily, the entry-level e-tron GT delivers a robust 350kW of power (with 390kW available in boost mode) and 630Nm of torque, propelling it from 0 to 100km/h in a swift 4.1 seconds.

On the other hand, the high-powered RS e-tron GT generates a staggering 440kW (475kW when in boost mode) and 830Nm of torque, with the 0-100km/h sprint clocking in at a mere 3.3 seconds.

Audi announces a range of 540km (NEDC) for the base e-tron GT and 504km for the RS e-tron GT, with both versions boasting a WLTP driving range of 488km.

According to the local specifications, the standard e-tron GT consumes energy at a rate of 19.2kWh per 100km, while the RS e-tron GT comes in slightly higher at 20.2kWh per 100km.

Audi provides e-tron GT owners with a 7.2kW single-phase wall charger box as standard, while a 22kW three-phase charger is offered as an upgrade, which enhances the car’s onboard charger as well as the external charger to a capacity of 22kW.

Thanks to the e-tron GT’s 800V electric setup, it can accommodate up to 270kW DC fast charging. This allows for the acquisition of 100km of range in just five minutes or a boost from five per cent to 80 per cent battery capacity in 22.5 minutes.

In an exciting addition, Audi offers all e-tron GT owners a complimentary six-year membership to the Chargefox charging network, offering unlimited access to its ultra-rapid, fast, and standard charging stations.

How does the Audi e-tron GT drive? 

The driving experience of the Audi E-Tron GT can be encapsulated in one word: exceptional. We had the opportunity to test drive both the titular E-Tron GT and the RS E-Tron GT at launch, and both models left us thoroughly impressed.

Firstly, the E-Tron GT is equipped with two electric motors, situated at each axle, contributing a cumulative 350kW and 630Nm. These impressive figures are channelled to the wheels through a two-speed automatic transmission. It's crucial to note that the front electric motor operates on a single gear, with only the rear motor availing the advantage of the second gear. The dual-speed transmission is engineered to provide sharp acceleration from the start. True to the design, when you press down on the accelerator, the response is immediate and remarkable.

We're all aware by now that electric vehicles deliver the kind of acceleration that petrol-fuelled cars can only aspire to. But regardless of how many times you experience the exhilarating speed of an electric vehicle, it always manages to catch you off guard.

The acceleration is immediate and entirely predictable. Although it's an exciting feature, focusing solely on it wouldn’t do justice to the rest of the car's impressive attributes, which are ingenious, composed, and strikingly exceptional.

Drive it at a relaxed pace around town, and the E-Tron GT is a comfortable and effortless daily car. It operates with minimal disturbance, navigating the streets in an almost silent manner that's hard to resist.

The story is similar on the highway, with an easy gait that gives the impression that the E-Tron is operating without any effort at all. Which, indeed, it is.

However, the surprise lies in the E-Tron GT's adeptness at handling dynamic driving. Despite weighing over 2.3 tonnes, the E-Tron GT handles like a much lighter car, with pinpoint accuracy when cornering and delivering the full impact of its phenomenal acceleration out of bends.

The grip is outstanding, with Audi's all-wheel drive infrastructure working tirelessly to maintain the E-Tron GT's stability and adherence to the road.

Comfort isn't sacrificed, with the three-chamber adaptive air suspension providing a smooth ride, even in its most dynamic setting.

There are three driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Dynamic – and even in Dynamic mode, typically associated with rigid handling, the E-Tron GT maintains its smoothness while delivering stability and assurance at the wheel.

Thanks to the E-Tron GT’s low centre of gravity, body roll is virtually absent, instilling a sense of confidence when driving.

The steering is slightly light, but that in no way hinders its precision and accuracy. Four-wheel steering is an optional feature on the E-Tron GT, a system that enables the rear wheels to align with the front ones in two ways – at speeds below 50km/h, the rear wheels align with the front ones to provide sharper turning, perfect for narrow city roads and easier parking.

At higher speeds – above 80km/h – the rear wheels rotate by 2.8-degrees in the same direction as the front ones, enhancing the E-Tron GT’s ability to corner and its stability.

This configuration comes as standard on the RS E-Tron GT, which is the model to choose if you value performance above all else.

The car’s speed is simply awe-inspiring, and yet it stays comfortably within its performance capabilities. A 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.3 seconds doesn’t truly reflect the RS E-Tron GT's power. It feels much quicker, with a speed that is breathtakingly swift.

But, as with the regular E-Tron GT, focusing solely on one aspect of the RS’s performance would not do it justice.

Indeed, it’s incredibly fast, but it’s also exceptionally easy to handle. Drive it gently, and there’s no sign of the impending performance, with the RS as manageable around town as any standard sedan. However, when its full potential is unleashed, it's truly astonishing just how sophisticated and refined this vehicle is.

The standard four-wheel steering plays a crucial role under strenuous driving conditions, keeping the RS on the right trajectory and enabling sharp turn-in and effortless cornering capability.

The adaptive air suspension smooths out any road irregularities and maintains a pleasant feel at the wheel.

The technological prowess of the RS extends to an electronic torque vectoring function that imitates the performance of a mechanical locking differential quite convincingly. When needed, it readily adjusts the amount of torque delivered to each of the rear wheels, further enhancing stability and grip in this sporty RS trim, weighing in excess of 2.4 tonnes.

We didn't test the standard tungsten brake package in the RS; our launch test car was equipped with the optional $12,500 ceramic brakes. Nonetheless, it is fair to say that decelerating the RS E-Tron GT from high speeds is just as effortless and confidence-inspiring as accelerating it in the first place.

Despite the absence of the auditory drama typically associated with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, Audi has invested considerable effort in giving the RS E-Tron GT a semblance of a soundtrack. Although artificial, it is played through the car’s internal speakers to simulate the auditory experience of an ICE vehicle, making the drive even more enjoyable.

What is the Audi e-tron GT like on the inside?

Our exploration was primarily conducted from the driver's seat of the top-tier RS e-tron GT, yet both versions of Audi's all-electric four-door coupe come exceptionally well-appointed with a plethora of premium standard equipment and features – the cabin is profoundly opulent in every aspect.

The intriguing point is, it exudes the aesthetics and comfort akin to other high-end Audis with similar price tags, ensuring that Audi owners transitioning from ICE vehicles to EVs will immediately feel comfortable in the e-tron GT.

This offers a different experience from the Porsche Taycan, which carries its futuristic external design into the cabin, creating a cohesive next-generation ambiance, albeit without the outright luxury offered by the Audi e-tron GT.

That said, there is value in the familiarity of features and ergonomics when transitioning from one Audi to another, or indeed, from any other ICE branded car to a luxury EV like the e-tron GT.

The blend of brushed alloy accents, expanses of Alcantara with contrasting red stitching, and some of the finest Nappa leather sport seats on the market make an enticing proposition on any day.

Audi's signature dual-screen layout includes a large configurable digital instrument cluster, a heads-up unit, and a touchscreen infotainment display.

The 16-speaker B&O audio system, standard even on the base model, delivers exceptional sound clarity and a wide range of tonal highs and lows.

The interior follows the tasteful elegance we've come to expect from high-end Audis. I appreciate Audi's electronic shifter design, but finding sufficient console space upfront for personal items like keys, wallets, and sunglasses might be challenging.

A somewhat hidden wireless charging cradle exists inside the center-console bin – you'll require some practice inserting your phone a few times before you master this operation without looking.

I'm not usually a fan of Alcantara steering wheels (they can be too firm and offer less grip than a good leather-wrapped version), but the flat-bottom version in our RS e-tron test model excels in both aspects.

The driving position itself is deeper and lower than you might anticipate for a speedy Audi EV, but given its rapid performance capabilities, you'll appreciate it once you settle in and prepare for an exhilarating journey on winding roads. The entire design and feel is very driver-centric and somewhat reminiscent of a Porsche.

The expansive bonnet provides an excellent forward view, allowing for precise vehicle positioning on the road. However, the view through the rear window is limited, making parking sensors and cameras crucial in confined areas.

While there is ample legroom and elbow space in the second row, taller individuals over 190cm may find the headspace insufficient.

Boot space, while not exceptionally spacious based on the listed capacity (350L for the RS e-tron & 405L for the regular version), was able to accommodate multiple soft bags during our drive.

Is the Audi e-tron GT safe? 

The Audi e-tron GT has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Standard safety equipment includes:

AEB with pedestrian, junction assist

Adaptive cruise control with stop/go

Traffic jam assist

Lane keep assist

Lane guidance assist

Collision avoidance assist

Blind-spot monitoring

Surround-view camera

Front, rear parking sensors

Front, side, curtain airbags

Driver attention monitoring

How much does the Audi e-tron GT cost to run? 

The great advantage for purchasers is that the Audi E-Tron GT is bundled with six years of complimentary servicing. This is included in Audi's '666' offer, which also incorporates six years of free public charging (through Chargefox), and six years of roadside assistance.

The E-Tron GT series is safeguarded by Audi's five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. In addition to this comprehensive coverage, Audi provides a 12-year warranty against body corrosion, along with an eight-year warranty specifically for the battery.

Yeecar’s Take on the Audi e-tron GT 

The Audi RS E-tron GT stands out as a formidable performance vehicle first, with its EV nature taking a secondary role. In contrast to many contemporary electric cars that strive to strike a balance between speed and efficiency, this Audi gives primacy to nimbleness. The absence of exhaust emissions is simply an additional perk.

Although the RS E-tron GT shares its foundation with the Porsche Taycan, it embodies the essence of an RS-badged Audi. The extraordinary levels of traction, rapidity, and refinement underscore this attribute.

The only area where it lags behind its Taycan counterpart is the overall sportiness in performance, but this characteristic is emblematic of Audi vehicles in recent times.

Beyond its dynamic capabilities, the RS E-tron GT is a delight to drive daily. The ride quality offered by the air suspension is superior, and the interior effortlessly marries performance and luxury, ranking amongst the finest.