Audi introduces new entry-level trim for the e-tron GT

Audi has expanded its electric car lineup with the introduction of a new base version of the e-tron GT. The new Audi e-tron GT quattro makes entering the premium electric vehicle segment a little bit more appealing to a wider range of buyers. It joins the existing S e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT performance models.

This new version of the e-tron GT gets the least-powerful powertrain in the lineup. The 370 kW dual-motor setup can temporarily go up to 430 kW with Launch Control engaged. Powering this performance is a large battery with a gross capacity of 105 kWh (net 97 kWh), allowing the e-tron GT quattro to travel up to 386 miles on a single charge. The new Audi is quite quick off the line - it can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.0 seconds when using the Launch Control mode.

The on-board DC charger allows for fast charging of up to 320 kW. In ideal conditions, the new Audi can add approximately 177 miles of range in just ten minutes at a compatible charging station. The high-voltage battery can charge at full power across a wider temperature range, and the e-tron route planner offers smart preconditioning.

There aren’t many design changes to the e-tron GT quattro. The vehicle features large wheels, a sleek, coupe-like profile, and a long wheelbase, contributing to its sporty stance. Its aerodynamic design, with a low drag coefficient of 0.24 and controllable air intakes, helps with efficiency and minimal driving noise. At the front, a black mask highlights the inverted Singleframe grille, finished in the body color. The rear gets an elegant diffuser with vertical fins, providing a powerful visual accent.

The placement of the high-voltage battery in the underbody includes strategically designed recesses that serve as footwells, providing extra legroom and comfort for all occupants. The driver and front passenger get eight-way adjustable sport seats with integrated headrests. The rear seat backrest can fold either fully or in part, expanding the 14.3 ft³ trunk space, and the 2.72 ft³ front luggage compartment gives extra storage.

The intelligent quattro all-wheel-drive system provides optimal traction in various driving conditions by rapidly distributing the drive torque between the front and rear axles. The system analyzes the driving situation and adjusts power distribution within milliseconds for precise control. The new Audi e-tron GT quattro is also approximately 66 lb lighter than the S model, which should improve its dynamic performance and overall efficiency a bit.

Unlike its Porsche twin - the Taycan - that's made in Zuffenhausen, the e-tron GT quattro is manufactured at the Audi Bollinger Hofe plant in Neckarsulm, Germany. The entry-level model is available for order now, with prices starting at $127,600. That's nearly $23,000 less than the next in the lineup e-tron GT S.

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