AUDI e-tron GT Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Audi introduced the RS e-tron GT, a more potent version of its S sibling. This four-door grand tourer could shame supercars and even some hypercars and, thanks to its electric motors, could do all of these silently.

Audi relentlessly charged ahead to dominate the competition by sharing its platform with the Porsche Taycan and benefitting from the experience of Mate Rimac, who created the Nevera electric hypercar. Neither of its traditional contenders, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, had such a high-performance EV in their lineups. The four-ring brand introduced the e-tron GT at the beginning of 2021 and updated it in 2024. Unlike that model, the new lineup was available exclusively with all-wheel drive systems since the automaker considered that the huge power figures and torque would shred the rear tires instantly if the skinny pedal was pressed to the floor. Furthermore, Audi had a long history with its high-performance quattro all-wheel drive vehicles that spanned over four decades to the early ‘80s.

At the front, the refreshed 2024 RS e-tron GT it looked almost identical to its less-powered sibling, the S version. But still, a keen eye for detail could notice the different lower bumper. It was still flanked by matrix-LED headlights and sported an angular-shaped trim on the upper side of the massive reversed singleframe grille, but the lower side scoops were new. They were broader and covered by a hexagonal mesh and emphasized by L-shaped shiny-black trims. While some of the piano-black decorations were available as a package for the S version, on the RS, these were standard.

From its profile, the 2024 RS e-tron GT kept its original shape of a four-door vehicle with a sloped back. At first sight, it looked like a hatchback, but the trunk’s lid didn’t open with the rear window, so it was a true four-door sedan—but with a sportier stance. The muscular look of the fenders was emphasized by creased lines extended over the doors. At the same time, behind the front wheel arches, the automaker placed exhaust vents that released the air trapped in the wheel wells to decrease lift forces. Furthermore, the side sills were designed to reduce the ground effect. Finally, at the back, the car sported refreshed LED taillights created to make the car look wider.

Inside, the 2024 Audi RS e-tron GT boasted a mix of luxury and sportiness. Unlike the S-version, which was more of a tourer, the RS was better prepared for track days. That’s why it featured high-bolstered sports seats with integrated headrests and RS badges on the seatbacks. Furthermore, the automaker installed a unique vegan upholstery for the car, while many other parts and pieces were made from recycled materials. In the back, the bench seat was profiled for two, albeit there were three headrests. The one seated in the middle had to deal with the center console’s ending, which limited knee room.

Audi introduced a new tri-motor setup for the e-tron GT range, and the RS version was right in the middle. In total, the vehicle sent 845 PS (833 hp) to both axles. At the front, the total torque of the motors was 305 Nm (225 lb-ft), while the rear axle pushed with an additional 590 Nm (435 lb-ft). The entire system was fed by a 105 kWh battery pack, ensuring a respectable range of 378 miles (609 km). Besides the RS e-tron GT, the automaker also provided customers with an even more impressive version named RS e-tron GT performance, which could accelerate from naught to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 2.5 seconds.

The electric revolution forced Audi to introduce new vehicles on the market, such as the 2021 e-tron lineup, which showed no mercy for its competitors.

Porsche stunned the world with the Taycan, and Audi tried to impress it with the e-Tron SUV, but its success was smaller than expected. That didn't make them quit and tried again, in 2021, with the e-tron GT, a sports sedan that could beat most supercars at their own game, as long as the game was on a quarter-mile run or not too many laps of the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife race-track.

The e-tron GT was wider and lower than the Audi A7 and looked much better. Its headlights featured the already known Audi signature lamps and the big singleframe grille. In this case, it wasn't needed to cool the engine since there was none inside. There were only a few vents to cool the batteries. From the sides, despite the coupe-like profile, it was a four-door sedan with a very sloped rear end. In the rear, a red LED strip stretched from one side to another. It worth mentioning the standard carbon-fiber roof, which could have been traded for a panoramic glass roof. On the trunk-lid, Audi installed a pop-out spoiler that was deployed over 50 mph (80 kph).

Inside, Audi installed a cockpit that resembled a race-car idea, with the driver isolated by the rest of the car with a tall center console and a tilted center stack. There were no analog dials or gauges everywhere. There was a TFT display with the Audi Virtual Cockpit in front of the driver, while on the center stack, the MMI display surrounded by a piano-black trim took center stage. Like most of the four-doors coupe on the market, Audi installed a pair of seats in the back with low-mounted seats to accommodate average-sized passengers.

Audi installed a 175 kW (238 hp) electric motor on the front axle and a 320 kW (435 hp) in the back. They worked separately or combined to provide maximum traction and safety.

Along with the e-tron GT, Audi introduced at the beginning of 2021 a sportier version, named RS, that could blow away an RS7 at any time.

Being part of a larger group, Audi benefited from a common research database, which Porsche used to develop the Taycan. And that helped the German carmaker from Ingolstadt introduce a sportier version of an already fast sports sedan, the RS e-tron GT.

Just by looking at an RS e-tron GT was difficult not to think about the Taycan, which was not a mistake. They both shared the same idea of a sports sedan with a GT aura around them, and both were flat and wide on the road. The RS e-tron shared more parts with its non-RS brother and featured the same singleframe grille, which was almost useless. There were only a few gaps at the bottom of it to help to cool the electric system. The side vents were needed to create a flowing draft and help the car reduce the drag on the sides.

Inside, Audi didn't mess with cheap materials and installed only the best it had. As expected, the instrument cluster was filled with a 12.3" Audi Virtual Cockpit screen. The MMI (Audi's infotainment system) featured a 10.1" display on the center stack surrounded by a piano-black trim. The carmaker made the sport seats covered in two types of leather. There was room for four adults inside.

From the technical point of view, the RS was more powerful than its non-RS e-tron GT version. It still featured the same 800 volts architecture and an 85 kWh battery pack, but it was powered by a two motors system that delivered 598 hp (440 kW). Like it sibling, the RS featured adaptive dampers and all-wheel-steering.