If it’s good enough for Iron Man, is it good enough for you?
Audi has officially revealed the e-tron GT, after giving us a sneak peek prior to the 2018 LA Auto Show. Of course, this follows the e-tron SUV’s reveal a couple months ago. Now, we have more official information on this upcoming model. Before we get to that, though, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on how good it looks. It doesn’t look too tomorrow’s world, but it does look like a futuristic Audi A7. Four-door coupes are often striking to the eye with their gently sloping roofline. The Audi e-tron GT is certainly no exception.
With that out of the way, let’s dig into the numbers. The Audi e-tron GT concept is slated to go into production in late 2020. That means it will head out to dealers as a 2021 model. The e-tron GT is 16.3 feet (195.2 inches) long, 6.4 feet (76.8 inches) wide, and 4.5 feet (54 inches) tall. Those dimensions ring remarkably close to the Audi A7. The key difference here is that the e-tron GT concept is lower and wider. Audi used high-strength steel, aluminum and carbon in the concept’s construction. That coupled with the layout of an electric drivetrain means a low center of gravity, which ought to make the driving experience more fun.
Cargo capacity is split between two compartments. While the rear compartment does have a tailgate, it offers up 15.9 cubic feet of space. The front trunk provides 3.5 more cubic feet.
What about performance?
Well, that and Audi’s quoted 590 horsepower helps too. Two electric motors, one at each axle, put that power down to all four wheels. Rather than linking those axles together, an electronic control system works out how much power to call up from each motor, and how to balance the power between the left and right wheels. That sort of power and instantaneous torque means the e-tron GT can sprint to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, according to Audi. 0-124 mph comes up in just over 12 seconds, and the top speed is pegged at 149 mph.
Range and charging
The Audi e-tron GT’s 90-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is good for 248.5 miles, on the new WLTP standard. As with more electric cars these days, the battery cells are mounted low in the floor. Audi hasn’t quoted the concept’s exact weight yet, but hopefully we’ll know more about as it nears production. The Audi e-tron GT also has high-performance ceramic discs to bring the car to a quick halt. what’s more, it can provide up to 0.3g of decelerating force using the electric motors as part of the regeneration system. That way, if you gradually slow down, you don’t actually have to use the brakes at all.
The Audi e-tron GT concept also brings wireless charging to the table. Using an 11kW induction charging pad, owners can charge their cars overnight. An 800-volt system also lets owners charge their car up to 80 percent in 20 minutes on a DC fast charger.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more coverage from the 2018 LA Auto Show!
