RS EXPRESS (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_audirsetrongt_2022

By Jonathan Crouch

In this improved form, Audi's RS e-tron GT has taken a very fast step forward. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 63

This improved version of Audi's RS e-tron GT is the car we ideally would have had from the start. Thanks to a bigger battery, the original model's extremely modest EV drive range has been much improved, plus there's a smarter look and a trick new air suspension system. And vastly more performance, particularly if you pay the extra for the uber-rapid 'performance' version.

Backgroundword count: 121

Once exclusively reserved for throbbing petrol powerplants, Audi's RS badge these days be found adorning a car with no fossil fuel addiction at all - this one, the RS e-tron GT. It was first launched in 2020 as the faster of Audi's two offered e-tron GT models and a direct Ingolstadt interpretation of this car's close cousin, the Porsche Taycan Turbo. Most of the same technology is inevitably shared between the two cars but this Audi has always had its own distinctive look and feel, which for many will set it apart. In mid-2024, the brand announced a far-reaching package of changes to this car, offering better EV range and more performance. Creating the model we're going to look at here.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 471

Get ready for lots of numbers. There are now two versions of the RS e-tron GT; a standard one that now offers 856PS and a range-topping 'performance' version that develops an impressive 925PS. In the latter case, that's enough to make this the brand's fastest car ever, able to accelerate to 62mph in just 2.5s on the way to 155mph. An even more important change is the installation of a larger 105kWh battery, replacing the 93kWh unit used before. That's improved driving range substantially to 369 miles (up from 280 miles before); or 365 miles in the 'performance' version. The other key change is the adoption of a redesigned two-chamber air suspension system featuring dual-chamber springs and dual-valve dampers, said to widen the band-width between soft and sporty ride settings. With the priciest 'Vorsprung' level of trim, there's now an Active Ride version of this system, which is supposed to be able to keep the car almost horizontal during cornering (by raising the corner of the car on which the G-Forces are acting). Plus it has a 'comfort entry' feature that raises the car's ride height to 77mm when parked (55mm higher than normal). As previously, all the basic engineering is shared with this car's VW Group cousin, the Porsche Taycan Turbo (which you can't really blame Audi for because it's extremely complex). There's 4WD, courtesy of motors at front and rear, the back one connected to a 2-speed gearbox that's used only for launch control and some dynamic modes. One of the few dynamic areas in which Ingolstadt could distance this car from its Porsche cousin was the steering, making it lighter than a Taycan and more familiar to customers graduating to this car from another Audi. Various drive modes adjust steering weight - and of course ride comfort too, via the adaptive damping system. There are lots of other engineering changes with this updated model. Like modified power electronics on the front axle with a revised pulse inverter for even higher discharge currents. And a newly developed electric motor on the rear axle that's also a permanent-magnet synchronous motor. Despite the significant increase in power, Audi was able to reduce the weight of the electric motor on the rear axle by around 10kg by redesigning components such as the lighter rotor and stator and optimizing the cooling system. A new standard boost function allows the RS e-tron GT and the RS e-tron GT performance to provide a noticeable 95PS increase in power while driving. The driver can activate the boost function with the left control satellite on the steering wheel. The boost activates for ten seconds, as indicated by a countdown in the cockpit. The RS e-tron GT comes as standard with tungsten carbide-coated brake discs; carbon ceramic discs are fitted as standard on the RS e-tron GT performance.

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