REVIEW: All-Electric 2023 Audi RS e-tron GT

I have a real beauty for you this week!  This is the stunning 2023 Audi RS e-tron GT, a super-fast all-electric sedan.

Performance

This sport sedan is powered by a 93.4-kilowatt battery with electric motors in the front and rear, essentially making it all-wheel drive.  This gives the e-tron GT the equivalent of 637-horses and it will propel you from 0-to-60 in a mere 3.1 seconds, but I actually clocked it at under 3 seconds.

Exterior

This Audi has caught people’s attention everywhere I’ve been with beautiful 21” wheels, a deployable rear spoiler, a carbon fiber roof, and beautiful body lines.  It sits low and has a very wide stance.  It shares many of the same elements of its sister vehicle, the Porsche Taycan electric.

 

 

 

Interior

Inside, it’s all Audi with all the luxury you’d expect.   The front Nappa leather seats are heated and cooled and they will massage you.  The bolsters can be adjusted for snugness and are quite comfortable.

The gauge cluster is colorful and has a multitude of different configurations depending on what you want to see, including a 3D navigation screen.  Your battery range in miles is always visible and there is a head-up display with sign recognition.

High on the dash is a 10.1” touchscreen that operates the Audi multi-media interface and controls the radio, media, your phone, navigation system, vehicle settings, and more.  You can swipe for even more choices.    

 

 

Under the screen are your air conditioning and seat climate controls.  Keep going down and you’ll find the drive modes, parking assist and parking sensors, and a button to turn off traction control.  Drive modes include efficiency, comfort, dynamic, and individual.  Dynamic is awesome, but will drain that battery range much quicker.

The center console houses a couple of cup holders, a round dial to adjust radio volume-which I find a little annoying-I just use the steering wheel volume dial.  This is also where the gear selector sits:  Push forward for reverse, and back for drive.     When you get where you are going, just hit the start button or open the driver’s door, it will automatically go to park.

Technically, this is a 5-passenger sedan and while back seat room is not great, I would not want to get stuck in the middle seat, it looks uncomfortable.  There are back seat temperature controls and two somewhat hidden charging ports on the front side of the rear seat.

Trunk space is pretty good and the back seat does fold down for more space, but the cord case for the charger does take up some room.  Also, don’t forget the frunk, the space in front where an engine normally sits.

Standard Equipment

Although electric, this is a true luxury car and comes with everything you’d expect except for a moonroof, due to the carbon fiber roof.  It has a 3D Bang & Olufsen sound system that is terrific.

On the safety front, you get adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, forward collision alert, cross traffic warning, lane departure warning, parking sensors, and a terrific rearview camera.

Ride and Drive

The e-tron GT drives like a sports car, because it is.  Acceleration is insane, it will literally throw you back in the seat. It has rear-wheel steering, which makes handling amazing, especially in curves.

I’ve said many times, most electric cars as they are would not work for me.  Charging times are too long and range is not enough.

However, this one could work.  The range on battery is only 232-miles, not enough normally, but the charging time is exceptional.  With a fast (Level 2) charger, which is becoming more readily available, or you can install one in your home, you can get an 80% charge in just 22 minutes.  That would work for me.  There are charging ports on both sides of the car, rare on electrics, but very handy.  Just know that only the right port will handle the fast charger.

Besides the acceleration, the e-tron GT handles fantastic and corners like it is on rails, thanks to four-wheel steering.  Inside and outside there is a simulated noise-not actually an engine noise-it’s hard to describe, its more of a drone, but it works and it warns pedestrians you are coming.  It’s not obtrusive, I find it kind of cool.

In EPA ratings, this Audi is rated as the equivalent of 81 miles per gallon.  The MSRP for this one is $164,890. 

Verdict

I like electric cars and I love the power and quick charging time of the Audi RS e-tron GT, not to mention it is one good-looking ride and best of all, it doesn’t look like an electric car, it just looks like a hot sports car.

1. What I liked most: Crazy acceleration, the looks and handling.
   
2. What I would change:  I'd give up some horses for more range.
3. MSRP:  Base price: $143,900; as equipped: $161,890 with transportation.
4. Fuel Economy:  Rated at 79 MPGe city/82 MPGe highway/81 MPGe combined.   
5. Odometer reading when tested: 1,000 miles.
6. Weight:  5,126 pounds.
7. Spare Tire: N/A
8. Length-Width-Height: 196.4” long77.3” wide/54.9” high.
9. Fuel Tank Capacity: N/A. Charging ports on both sides.
10. Official Color:  Kemora Gray Metallic.
11. Towing Capacity: N/A.
12. 2023 Audi RS e-tron GT in a few words:  A true driver's machine that will pin you to the seat stepping on the gas, yet is a very comfortable daily driver.
13. Warranty:  4-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance, 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
14. Final Assembly Location: Heilbronn, Germany
15. Manufacturer's website: Audi