With an energized driving demonstration and a world premiere featuring high-calibre participants, Audi has presented its new electric spearhead – the Audi e-Tron GT1. In two events on the digital Day of Progress, the Four Rings showcased the highlights of this fully electric Gran Turismo: dynamic driving performance, emotional design, and sustainability.
“The e-Tron GT1 is a stand-alone Gran Turismo, reinterpreted for the future. Its looks are a testament to premium automotive design. Bringing impressive driving performance, this is electro-mobility in the most emotive way. And with its sustainable concept, it takes a stand,” explains Markus Duesmann, CEO of AUDI AG. “Because it’s not just the drive concept that is sustainable. The entire production at our Böllinger Höfe site now has a carbon-neutral energy balance. This sends an important signal – for the site, our workforce and the future viability of Audi.”
Audi also set a new benchmark with the digital world premiere, the Day of Progress. Two digital events presented the Audi e-tron GT1: in the Sprint of Progress, the Formula E driver Lucas di Grassi and the sustainability entrepreneur and Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg demonstrated the dynamic driving performance of the Audi RS e-tron GT2 alongside the current Formula E racing car of the Four Rings, the Audi e-tron FE07. In a trip on the circuit of the Audi Driving Experience Center in Neuburg an der Donau, the spotlight was on the dynamic performance of the new model.
In the Celebration of Progress, the brand with the Four Rings introduced the Audi e-tron GT1 to the public for the first time. In the hour-long virtual show, Markus Duesmann and Hildegard Wortmann, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, together with further Audi protagonists such as Henrik Wenders, Senior Vice President for the Audi Brand, and Marc Lichte, Head of Design, presented the highlights of the new model.
A varied program emphasized the forward-looking attitude of the Four Rings brand. With reference to the importance of design, sustainability and performance, the actor and producer Tom Hardy, the designer Stella McCartney and Nico Rosberg added their personal insights. The musical accompaniment to the unveiling of the car was performed by the US-American singer and songwriter Janelle Monáe, while Steven Gätjen as moderator guided the audience through the show.
The GREENTECH FESTIVAL and Audi, a founding partner of this platform for sustainability, together presented the GREEN FUTURE Award for the first time as part of the world premiere of the Audi e-tron GT1. The prize, part of the festival’s GREEN AWARDS, is given to projects and persons that promote environmentally compatible urbanization and at the same time make an important contribution to improving the quality of life in urban infrastructure. The winner is the start-up Zencity, based in Tel Aviv, with an algorithm that collects and analyzes social media posts and local news from cities.
# Reinterpretation of the Gran Turismo philosophy: four-door coupé with an elegant and dynamic design and powerful electric drive; great confidence on long distances and in everyday driving
# RS e-tron GT** as the spearhead of electrification at Audi and Audi Sport GmbH
# Emotive signature car and a preview of future design
Exterior design, aerodynamics, and body
# Gran turismo design further developed under the flag of electric mobility: Sportiness and comfort meet sustainability
# Sporty proportions: large wheels, wide track, flat silhouette, long wheelbase
# Flowing design language as the new design feature: Aesthetics arise from efficiency
# Sculptural design: a low inverted Singleframe grille in vehicle color; highly distinctive Quattro blisters; a flat greenhouse with a sloping roofline; rear end with extreme indentations
# Low drag coefficient of just 0.24 enables high efficiency and a long-range; active aerodynamics with switchable air inlets for brakes and radiators, as well as a rear spoiler that extends in multiple stages; closed underbody and wide diffuser
# High rigidity and crash safety thanks to ultra-high-strength steel in the passenger cell and a reinforcing battery housing; aluminum outer skin
# Length: 4.99 meters (16.4 ft); width: 1.96 meters (6.4 ft); height: just 1.41 meters (4.6 ft); flat body line; luggage compartment with a volume of 405 liters (14.3 cu ft) in the rear (366 liters (12.9 cu ft) in the RS model**)
Headlights and lights
# Matrix LED headlights are standard in the RS e-tron GT** and available as an option with the e-tron GT quattro**
# Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light are available as an option for both models; they double the range of the high beam
# Rear lights with a light band; dynamic coming home and leaving home animations in combination with the top-of-the-range headlights
Interior design and interior
# Instrument panel with driver orientation and “monoposto character,” open feeling of space
# Low seat position and wide center console; rear seat bench is also suitable for adults
# Sustainability meets sportiness and comfort: leather-free interiors, upholstery made with a high percentage of recycled material
# There are three seat variants and a choice of multiple design packages
Drive and recuperation
# Electric all-wheel drive with one permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) each at the front and rear axles; two-speed transmission at the rear axle
# The Audi e-tron GT quattro** has a total output of 350 kW (476 PS) and 630 Nm (464.7 lb-ft) of torque (in boost mode 640 Nm (472.0 lb-ft)), while the RS e-tron GT** outputs 440 kW (598 PS) and 830 Nm (612.2 lb-ft) of torque; launch control provides a boost output of
390 kW (530 PS) or 475 kW (646 PS), respectively, for a maximum of 2.5 seconds
# 0–100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.1 or 3.3 seconds (RS model**), respectively
# Top speed of 245 km/h (152.2 mph) with the e-tron GT quattro** and 250 km/h (155.3 mph)
with the RS model**
# Intelligent control of coasting and recuperation, brake recuperation of up to 265 kW
Battery and thermal management
# Lithium-ion battery with a net energy content of 85 kWh (93 kWh gross) and a voltage level of 800 volts; 396 pouch cells in 33 modules
# AC charging with an output of 11 kW as standard and, shortly after market launch, optionally with 22 kW; DC charging with an output of up to 270 kW as standard
# Range of up to 487 km (302.6 mi) with one charge in the WLTP (Audi e-tron GT quattro**); very short charging times: just five minutes for a distance of roughly 100 km (62.1 mi).
# Sophisticated thermal management with four cooling circuits, efficient heat pump as standard;Pre conditioning for fast DC charging on the road
# e-tron Charging Service with around 200,000 charging points in Europe and attractive rates
Suspension
# Low center of gravity and excellent axle load distribution thanks to the installation position of the battery and the arrangement of the electric motors
# Standard: controlled damping, rear-axle differential lock, Audi drive select dynamic handling system
# Optional (standard in the RS model**): controlled rear axle differential lock and three-chamber air suspension adaptive air suspension; optional for both models: all-wheel steering
# Brake disks with tungsten carbide coating as an option (standard with the RS model**); brake disks made of carbon fibre ceramics optional for both models
# 19- to 21-inch wheels, most of which feature aero design; 20- and 21-inch wheels with aero blades
Driver assist systems
# Audi pre sense safety systems as standard; optional “Tour,” “City,” and “Park” packages; adaptive cruise assist, and (remote) park assist plus as highlights
e-tron sport sound
# Standard AVAS sound is already more sonorous than legally prescribed
# e-tron sport sound available upon request for additional exterior and interior sound (standard in the RS e-Tron GT**), adjusted depending on the Audi drive select setting
Controls and displays
# Audi virtual cockpit plus (12.3 inches) and MMI touch display (10.1 inches) as standard, plus natural voice control with online connection; head-up display optional; personalization as standard
Infotainment and Audi connect
# MMI navigation plus with Wi-Fi hotspot as standard, intelligent navigation with e-tron- specific functions
# Extensive portfolio of Audi connect services; e-tron route planner for calculating the fastest route with the shortest possible charging stops
# Audi phone box and Bang & Olufsen premium sound system (standard in the RS model**) available as an option
Craftsmanship meets smart factory
# Production of the e-tron GT** at Audi Böllinger Höfe at the Neckarsulm site, as a combination of smart factory technology and craftsmanship
# Carbon-neutral production, use of eco-electricity and biogas
# Independent, innovative body shop, shared assembly line with the Audi R8**
