An EV machine – Audi takes the wraps off its e-tron GT

The electric Audi e-tron GT Concept debuted at the LA Auto Show back in 2018, and now three years later, the German OEM has unveiled the production version. It closely resembles the concept – cutting a slick silhoutte with some very pleasing design details.

The model is available in two main variants: the e-tron GT and the RS e-tron GT. There is no difference in design, but the RS e-tron GT has a more powerful rear motor capable of producing 450hp. Combined with the front motor, the RS e-tron GT can distribute a total of 637hp to its four wheels – 115hp more than the entry level e-tron GT.

At the front, Audi’s inverted ’Singleframe grille’ area is finished in the same colour as the body and mimics grilles used on combustion engine vehicles. It includes a textured effect that is close to the traditional honeycomb pattern. Two sensors are tucked underneath the ‘grille’, and above it, the Audi rings are positioned on a slight groove that acts as an extension to the bonnet.

But between the rings and the bonnet is a dark ‘Manhattan grey’ strip, joining the two headlamps together. The metallic strip continues to run below the lamps and extends out as a tiered structure, framing the vertical air intakes that sit far left and right. Several grooves running from the A-pillars push down to the grille area, and a large indent at the bonnet’s centre makes the light catch it at a different angle.

Strong lines start from the top edges of the headlamps and run along the sides of the car. They have a subtle arch to them before they fade under the wing mirrors, reappearing halfway through the rear doors with a greater intensity to ensure the shoulders are broad and pronounced. These lines ensure the wheel arches are emphasised, but they also forge a relationship between the front and rear, as does the long sloping roof line – a feature that could have been lifted from the Porsche Taycan (which shares a platform with the Audi e-tron GT).

The light signature on the front is busy. It includes an arrow-like pattern as well as a blue designer trim of the option Audi laser light. Although the rear lighting was heavily criticised when the concept was launched, Audi has decided to stick with it on the production version, with the arrows pointing out to in getting gradually smaller before a thin light strip dissects the boot lid.

Bucking the minimalist trend, the inside of the e-tron GT is a riot of buttons, switches, varying textures and patterns, as well as ambient lighting strips.

Audi says its main point of focus for the interior was on the use of quality sustainable materials. Seats can be upholstered in a combination of artificial leather and Dinamica microfiber, or artificial leather and a wool-like material called Kaskada. With the latter option, each upholstery set consists of 119 recycled plastic bottles. Floor carpets and mats are made from recycled nylon fibres found in old fishing nets or remnants of old fabrics.

The upholstery of the sport seats pro is made of a combination of two types of leather. The RS design package comprises microfiber material on the hood of the instrument panel carrier, the steering wheel, and the center console trim, with red or gray stitching adding highlights. The floor carpet and floor mats are made from Econyl in both models. This material consists of 100-percent recycled nylon fibers from production waste, fabric and carpet remnants, or old fishing nets.

Detailed stitching outlines the edges of multiple surfaces, including the upper lip of the dash, the hood above the driver’s instrument cluster, several ledges on the doors and numerous parts of the centre console. A long, textured section of the dash can be finished in ’graphite grey’, ’palladium silver’, ’open-pore walnut wood’ or with ’silk matt carbon’. There is also an optional extra ambient lighting package that includes light effects on the loudspeaker bezels in the doors and projections on the ground when the doors are opened.

Audi says its e-tron GT has been designed as a flagship for all its electric vehicles to come. The following models will likely use a similar front end, with the company’s inverted Singleframe grille, as well as aerodynamic profile. Stay tuned.