The 2025 Audi e-tron GT RS Efficiency has a particular means of welcoming you. As you strategy, it does the standard present of blinking headlights and tail lights, plus puddle lamps projecting purple RS logos on the bottom. That's nothing particular as of late. However if you get to the door and attain for the deal with the automobile actually rises to satisfy you, arising two full inches to ease your entry into this ultra-low, extraordinarily lengthy sport tourer.
At the very least, it should do this when you spend the additional $11,000 for the brand new lively suspension, a really worthy add-on to this $167,000 sports activities automobile and simply one of many dozens of upgrades Audi made to the large efficiency machine for 2025. And it's good that these upgrades are so substantial, as a result of from the skin, the automobile seems to be barely completely different than what got here earlier than.
Audi barely massaged the entrance grille, whereas the diffuser projecting from beneath the rear bumper seems to be far cleaner than earlier than. Nonetheless, you'd be hard-pressed to inform new from previous from a distance — or up shut, for that matter. The most important exterior change might be the roof of the e-tron GT, which is now accessible in your alternative of shiny or matte carbon fiber. Or, when you're extra thinking about sunshine than weight financial savings, you’ll be able to go for a brand new glass roof with 9 separate built-in liquid crystal panels that flip opaque on the contact of a button.
That makes for a enjoyable speaking level when you really feel the necessity to impress your mates, however the 912 horsepower on faucet will certainly handle that. Fireplace up launch management, and even essentially the most jaded motorheads might be left completely breathless. The e-tron GT RS Efficiency rockets from zero to 60 mph in simply 2.4 seconds, which is a world-class determine, however what's extra spectacular is the way it simply retains on going. I had an opportunity to run the automobile up previous 130 mph (on a closed observe) and the sensation was proper on the border between thrilling and terrifying. The forces squeezing me into the (fortunately fairly supportive) sport seat made my animal mind scream for candy launch.
That wasn't the one mindjob occurring right here, although. That new lively suspension might be set to really make the automobile lean into corners whereas additionally dipping the nostril below acceleration and reducing the tail if you hit the brakes. It's all in an effort to create a extra secure, predictable platform, enabling you to drive the automobile laborious with out your passengers dropping their persistence — or their lunches.
The capabilities of the RS e-tron GT Efficiency are positively outstanding in any situation. A fast twitch of your proper toe is sufficient to ship it leaping ahead, and for these particular moments, you will get about an additional 94 horsepower by urgent the large purple BOOST button on the steering wheel.
Sadly, that's about the one factor good concerning the wheel. For this new e-tron GT, Audi shifted to the kind of capacitive contact buttons that everyone hates on the Volkswagen ID.4, that are each difficult to make use of by contact and but simple to by chance set off. I saved elevating the amount on the stereo each time I made a left flip. That's no good.
The remainder of the interface is way the identical as earlier than, with the ten.1-inch touchscreen angled in the midst of the dashboard. It's working Audi's MMI software program although, which is a bit sluggish at occasions. Nonetheless, between the touchscreen, the Digital Cockpit digital gauge cluster behind the wheel and the HUD projected on the windscreen, you haven’t any scarcity of shows to admire.
The remainder of the cabin is essentially unchanged as properly, which isn't a foul factor. Seats up entrance are supportive but comfy, power-adjustable in all the suitable methods, heated and ventilated, and sit low sufficient within the automobile to supply loads of headroom. Seating within the again isn't dangerous both, with a bit of additional legroom supplied by a division within the battery pack, creating house for rear passenger toes.
That rear-seat format is similar as earlier than, however whereas the battery pack form is similar, crack it open and also you'll discover all kinds of newness. Audi modified the chemistry of the cells and that, plus some design revisions, has boosted power density, which implies extra capability in the identical house.
The battery now presents 105 kWh of whole capability (95 web), which is up from 93.4 earlier than, whereas different modifications have boosted charging velocity. The utmost charging present is as much as 320 kW from 270 kW earlier than, and the battery can now preserve that velocity at a wider vary of temperatures. The result’s an 80 p.c cost in simply 18 minutes. That's about 240 miles price of vary within the time it'll take to make a pit cease your self.
All these battery upgrades present as much as 300 miles of vary on the 670 horsepower S e-tron GT or 278 miles of vary on the sooner RS e-tron GT Efficiency. These figures signify a achieve of between 29 and 51 miles over the previous automobile, relying on which spec you select. That's a significant enhance in longevity, and since that new suspension is equally good at being mushy and cosseting as it’s sharp and thrilling, the GT makes for a remarkably good touring automobile. I spent most of a day idling my means out and in of Las Vegas in a single, and I’d’ve gladly accomplished many extra miles with out criticism.
However with all that energy and dealing with, the GT is happiest when it’s pushed to its limits. The one problem is your funds might be pushed, too. The 2025 S e-tron GT prices $125,500, whereas the sooner RS e-tron GT Efficiency begins at $167,000. Meaning all the brand new battery tech and brain-scrambling energy have added about $20,000 to the sticker costs of the earlier yr's automobile. And also you'll spend much more if you need all of the toys.
So, the RS e-tron GT Efficiency is costly, however spectacular too. We're nonetheless barely a decade into seeing what high-performance EVs can do, an engineering journey that can absolutely take us to new heights within the years to come back. However what this automobile can do immediately is outstanding, with acceleration so robust that it's uncomfortable, suspension so superior it could dance, and but all of the consolation and poise befitting an Audi.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/audis-refreshed-rs-e-tron-gt-performance-brings-shocking-speed-for-a-premium-price-130154710.html?src=rss
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