Review: The 2024 Audi RS e-tron GT Will Warp Your Sense Of Reality | Carscoops

Long earlier than EVs hit the mainstream, automobile producers needed to spend tens of millions to extract extra grunt from high-performance engines, redesigning internals and becoming improved compelled induction methods. Things are slightly simpler with EVs. Case in level, the 2025 e-tron GT household.

In June, the modern electrical sedan obtained a mid-life facelift and fairly than benefiting from a small enhance in energy, Audi went all out, turning it right into a supercar destroyer. The new flagship RS e-tron GT Performance churns out a monumental 912 hp and might hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in simply 2.5 seconds.

Review: The 2024 Audi e-tron GT Is A Brilliant All-Rounder

As we look ahead to this new mannequin to succeed in showroom flooring, we jumped behind the wheel of the outgoing 2024 RS e-tron GT. While it has much less energy than the brand new entry-level 2025 S e-tron GT, it nonetheless affords extraordinary ranges of efficiency. It’s additionally one of many most interesting sedans we’ve ever pushed.

Quick Facts

Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Mind-bending numbers

It’s been a couple of years since Audi launched the e-tron GT household, however it wasn’t till 2023 that it turned obtainable in Australia. Before driving the RS mannequin, we lived with the e-tron GT. It proved to be a wonderful warm-up for the flagship mannequin, however not even it may put together us for what we had been in for.

First are the large numbers, and there’s a number of them. For starters, the RS e-tron GT is mighty costly. It begins domestically at AU$246,875 (~$166,000) earlier than supply charges and on-road prices. That makes it roughly AU$70,000 (~$47,000) greater than the bottom mannequin.

While that’s a hefty worth premium, it’s not unjustified. In the usual mannequin, the twin electrical motors high out at 350 kW (469 hp) and 630 Nm (456 lb-ft), whereas within the RS, they churn out 440 kW (590 hp) and 830 Nm (612 lb-ft) in regular driving. Enable enhance mode, and peak energy rises to 475 kW (637 hp).

Visually, there’s little to discern the RS mannequin from the common e-tron GT, which is slightly disappointing. Yes, it does come outfitted with distinctive 21-inch alloy wheels however the entrance and rear fascias are just about similar. Not even the wheel arches have been flared, as they’ve been brilliantly finished on different RS fashions.

While we predict Audi may have finished slightly extra with making the EV really feel like a correct RS, that doesn’t take away from the truth that this is likely one of the most lovely automobiles on sale. From each angle, this factor seems to be good. The strains movement, the physique sits low and large, and it’s undoubtedly one of many best-looking Audis constructed this century.

The good Audi inside?

Audi has finished a high-quality job of creating the cabin of the RS e-tron GT really feel particular.

Compared to the common e-tron GT, which earlier than choices feels slightly fundamental and has some cheap-feeling supplies, the RS may be very completely different. Our press automobile was outfitted with the AU$4,550 (~$3,000) RS design package deal in pink. This provides an extremely plush Alcantara steering wheel whereas the higher dashboard, heart console, and armrests are trimmed in Nappa leather-based, which is far softer than the leather-based of the common e-tron GT. This package deal additionally provides Audi’s Dinamica microfiber to the middle console, door inserts, and instrument panel cowl. Red distinction stitching can be discovered all through, as are new ground mats with pink accents.

Making the RS e-tron GT we examined all of the extra spectacular was the AU$8,400 (~$5,650) Sensory package deal. This takes the cabin to the following stage, including therapeutic massage capabilities to the entrance seats, heated outer rear seats, carbon fiber door sills with illuminated RS logos, and a headliner trimmed in black Dinamica.

Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The impact of those new supplies can’t be understated, and so they make the automobile really feel becoming of the value tag. However, it might be good if issues just like the microfiber and Nappa leather-based got here customary on the RS, and weren’t offered completely as choices. There’s loads of carbon fiber too, together with on the door panels and the dashboard. An intricate ambient lighting system provides to the premium really feel of the cabin, as does the usual panoramic glass roof.

Read: Someone Was Brave Enough To Modify This Audi RS E-Tron GT

On the expertise entrance, the RS e-tron GT is essentially the identical as the usual mannequin. It sports activities the identical 12.3-inch digital cockpit show, 10.1-inch central display, and a head-up show. The driving place is unimaginable to fault, and the massaging seats are among the many strongest we’ve ever skilled. Whereas most massaging seats really feel like a cat crawling up and down your again, these really feel virtually nearly as good as a skilled masseuse.

The RS e-tron GT could also be a five-seater, however the heart seat on the rear is tight, and there’s an enormous tunnel to cope with, limiting its practicality as a five-seater. As a four-seater, it’s good. In addition to the entrance seats providing good bolstering and loads of adjustment, the rear seats maintain passengers simply as tightly.

Forget what you thought sedans had been able to

While I had the usual e-tron GT to organize myself for the RS, the best way this factor strikes alongside the tarmac is scary. It’s one thing that needs to be felt to totally respect.

First is the straight-line efficiency. Yes, we all know, Audi’s 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of three.3 seconds within the 2024 mannequin might not appear all that tremendous when Tesla and Lucid have quick sedans that’ll hit the identical mark in beneath 2 seconds. But make no mistake, the RS e-tron GT is critically fast.

Watch: Ken Block Goes Drifting In His All-White Audi RS e-tron GT

Getting probably the most out of it necessitates utilizing launch management and watching the facility meter rise to 125% earlier than letting off the brakes. Without a touch of wheelspin, even in moist situations and with the traction management turned off, the automobile lurches ahead and builds pace at an alarming fee. Perhaps much more outstanding than the preliminary tempo is the second kick within the again you get when the automobile modifications into second gear at round 85 km/h (~53 mph). Using the automobile’s onboard timer, one of the best time I recorded was 3.1 seconds, and that was with two passengers.

Making the acceleration all of the extra spectacular is the repeatability. As lengthy as you might have greater than ~30% cost, the RS e-tron GT will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) within the low-3-second vary time after time, a feat that may’t be replicated by different similarly-powerful EVs, just like the Kia EV6.

If accelerating within the RS e-tron GT looks like driving on a bullet shot out of a gun, flinging it alongside a mountain highway is akin to driving on the Ferrari rollercoaster in Abu Dhabi.

The first a part of the spectacular dealing with package deal comes within the type of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tires, measuring 265/35 on the entrance and an enormous 305/30 on the rear. It additionally options double wishbone entrance and multi-link rear suspension with trick adaptive dampers. It is these dampers which can be maybe probably the most outstanding a part of the entire automobile.

They function three chambers on the entrance and rear axles. These chambers are activated or deactivated relying on the driving mode. For instance, in customary mannequin, all three work to melt the suspension, making the RS e-tron GT extremely supple and easy. During heavy braking and excessive acceleration, just one or two of the chambers are activated, decreasing physique motion and permitting the EV to take a seat flat by corners.

A rear-axle differential lock can be customary on the RS mannequin, and elective on the common e-tron GT. This diff may be actuated variably with a locking vary that extends from zero to 100%. It additionally permits the usage of focused torque vectoring and might brake the within rear wheel throughout cornering. All-wheel steering can be featured.

The results of these methods is unimaginable. The Audi will fly up a mountain go, and getting anyplace near the bounds of adhesion is just about unimaginable on the highway. Try as I’d, I may by no means get even the faintest trace of understeer, regardless of the automobile weighing 2,420 kg (5,335 lbs). Disable the traction management and hit the throttle with some steering lock, and the rear will rapidly break away, however it may be simply managed.

Like the usual e-tron GT, the RS affords 5 completely different trip heights and feels simply at dwelling cruising because it does being hustled by corners. It’s one of the vital snug automobiles I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving.

Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops

A faux soundtrack provides to the joys of the automobile. When switched into Dynamic mode, the RS e-tron GT emits a loud hum that may be heard from effectively over 100 ft away, and whereas it’s artificial, we appreciated it.

I take into account myself a real driving fanatic and love nothing greater than a robust inside combustion engine and a guide transmission. However, not as soon as throughout my week with the Audi did I really feel bored or let down by the actual fact it was electrical and didn’t have a thumping V8 just like the RS6. It’s that good.

Verdict

High-priced premium sedans don’t come significantly better than the RS e-tron GT. It could also be costly, however it’s lovely to have a look at, unimaginable to drive, and, most significantly, makes you are feeling particular everytime you get behind the wheel.

The facelifted e-tron GT vary guarantees much more extraordinary efficiency, however because of the launch of this new mannequin, in addition to cratering costs for present RS e-tron GTs on the used market, now could possibly be a wonderful time to leap on the classifieds and rating your self an distinctive deal for an ex-demo or calmly used 2023 or 2024 instance.

Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops