2021 Audi RS e-tron GT Prototype Review

[tigerbalm]

The animations here are interesting and likely identical to the Taycan.

https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en...-gt-thermal-management-and-fast-charging-5458

Sponsored

 

[JC Mann]

So this looks like an Audi, but the body colored grill insert to me makes it especially ill-suited for a white car. Unlike the Taycan, which looks especially good in white.

Also, really surprised by the approach to the door handles...

Looks better in silver

 

[KensingtonPark]

Looks better in silver

Totally agree. Very nice. Still surprised by the door handles. They must have decided the incremental aerodynamic drag was sufficiently minimal that they didn't want to have the complexity of motorized handles. This car has a couple of compromises from an aero standpoint that the Taycan does not (front face and door handles), so I would expect slightly lower range unless some kind of detuning makes up for it. It's a little more garish (which I like), so it will have its adherents. Plus it's very Audi on the inside. People who want a few more physical buttons than we have on the Taycan will like it. I certainly would appreciate the dedicated media skip/back buttons.

 

[taycan_sportturismo]

Honestly, I'm really happy with Audi have done with the e-Tron. My favorite part is how they seemed to listen to feedback with the Taycan's infotainment and actually included buttons instead of a bunch of screens in the interior! I really dig this level of a mix of futurism vs traditional car design.

I much prefer that approach to the futuristic, minimal vibe that Tesla (and unfortunately Porsche & Merecedes w/ the W223 S-Class) have gone with. I like having physical feedback instead of having to grope at a flat surface, and I'm sure a lot of people who enjoy driving feel the same.

For that reason, I would take the e-Tron over a Taycan any day.

 

[feye]

I agree with some commentary that this car is virtually exactly as they presented the prototype. Which already then was an Audified Taycan...... Sadly it has not changed a single bit on the exterior. There is quite a lot of re-work on the interior though........ mostly for the better.

I agree, interior could be better, software should be better, exterior I find ugly. It is as if the boss said, lets take Taycan and make a new design around it, and nobody really wanted to do the work.

 

[JC Mann]

Totally agree. Very nice. Still surprised by the door handles. They must have decided the incremental aerodynamic drag was sufficiently minimal that they didn't want to have the complexity of motorized handles. This car has a couple of compromises from an aero standpoint that the Taycan does not (front face and door handles), so I would expect slightly lower range unless some kind of detuning makes up for it. It's a little more garish (which I like), so it will have its adherents. Plus it's very Audi on the inside. People who want a few more physical buttons than we have on the Taycan will like it. I certainly would appreciate the dedicated media skip/back buttons.

I read the drag is 0.24

 

[Tay Tay]

Will those aero wheels fit the Taycan? They look way more interesting than Porsche's aero wheels.

 

[oalsaker]

Trying to post all the wheel options but something goes wrong after I include six photos. Will continue in another post.

 

[oalsaker]

 

[Kingske]

Five years from now, all wheels will be Aero-type >50%-closed ones. Just a matter of getting used to.

 

[oalsaker]

The price in Norway is out. The car is 900 000 barebones and with LED-matrix, air suspension, surround camera, heated rear seats and B&O, it rises to a million (divide by ten to get Euro).

https://www.audi.no/no/web/no/bilmodeller/e-tron-gt/audi-e-tron-gt/modellpakker.html

(link in Norwegian)

 

[PanameraFrank]

For better or worse, it's definitely the Audi Taycan.

I know many people, including my brother, that love love love Audi. Personally I like the exterior styling but the interiors are too cluttered for me. Carries through here.

The big difference is in handling. I've driven almost every one of the modern RS cars and IMHO Audi is probably the worst of the "big 5" in sporty luxury cars (ie.. BMW/Mercedes/Audi/Jaguar/Porsche). Handling is always meh and the quattro is overly intrusive. Even the R8 has probably the least inspiring handling of the "supercars".

It will be interesting to see if they improved that in the eTron GT but I doubt it. I'd imagine it will be a nice comfortable car, really good GT experience, but lack any sort of bite when pushed in sportier driving. Capable but boring.

So do you want a buttoned up luxury GT or a sportier, minimalistic GT? I think they complement each other well.

 

[oalsaker]

Would be fun to try it out, if they let me after I drive up there in a Taycan...

 

[chrisk]

The big difference is in handling. I've driven almost every one of the modern RS cars and IMHO Audi is probably the worst of the "big 5" in sporty luxury cars (ie.. BMW/Mercedes/Audi/Jaguar/Porsche).

I agree and I also find their steering feel disconnected.
But the biggest problem all the S and RS cars is too much engine weight on the nose which is not an issue with the e-tron.

 

[oalsaker]

Some nice colours on this car (continues in the next post)

Kemora grey

Suzuka grey

Tango red

Mythos black

Daytona grey