The 2021 Audi RS E-tron GT is without a doubt one of the best electric vehicles I’ve ever driven, and I won’t mince words about that. Although it is stunning, smart, and extremely powerful, it is also extremely pricey.
The E-tron GT is the ideal illustration of why it can occasionally be advantageous to be a member of a large conglomerate like the Volkswagen Group. Audi simply took Porsche’s EV architecture and utilized it to build the Taycan, its first all-electric sports vehicle, instead of attempting to shoehorn its pre-existing EV architecture into a sportier packaging.
The end result is everything an electric sports sedan should be: quick, luxurious, and a little bit obstinate in sticking to conventional design. The Audi E-tron GT is interested in being a car first, unlike some electric vehicles that are simply high-end computers in a car body. Nothing that should cause somebody with a large enough bank account to hesitate before clicking “yes on a purchase” exists, not even an oppressively large touchscreen or a poorly designed semi-autonomous safety system.
Some could claim that the E-tron GT is simply a Taycan with a new body, and they would be completely correct. What is wrong with it, then? The Taycan is an excellent electric sports car as well. They were created concurrently and have a remarkable 800-volt architecture that allows for rapid charging. Depending on the model, the dual electric motors in the E-tron GTone in the front axle and one in the rearcan produce between 522 and 637 horsepower. They also work in tandem with a cutting-edge two-speed transmission to enable breath-taking takeoffs.
However, all that grace and might don’t come cheap. The Taycan, the Tesla Model S, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS are less expensive than the Audi RS E-tron GT, which has a starting price of $140,000. Additionally, it costs more than the Audi RS7, a sumptuous speed demon in and of itself. As far as I can tell, it costs more than the majority of premium EVs, a fast expanding market.
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How much does an Audi RS e-tron GT cost that is entirely electric?
RS e-tron GT by Audi The entry-level RS e-tron GT is priced at $139,900. This particular model likewise has two motors, but they can produce a combined 637 horsepower. To 232 miles, the driving range also decreases marginally.
How much does the electric Audi R5 cost?
- Driving an electric automobile for the first time was amazing and at times terrifying.
- This summer, the 637-horsepower RS E-Tron GT will debut on sale with a starting price of $139,900.
In the days and hours leading up to my test drive in the 2022 Audi RS E-Tron GT, I kept replaying in my thoughts a viral video of a Porsche Taycan accident.
The blurry video shows a $100,000+ Porsche EV pulling into a driveway, stopping briefly, and then blasting full-bore into another vehicle, down a cliff, and onto an SUV parked in the street. I was confident I would suffer a similar fate as my date with one of Germany’s fastest and most technologically advanced electric vehiclesa close relative of the Taydrew closer.
You know, I had never driven an electric vehicle before when Audi allowed me to test-drive its impending flagship EV for around an hour earlier this month. In addition, I had never driven a speed demon with the 637 horsepower of the $139,900 RS E-Tron GT or its equally nimble Porsche sibling.
And if the tragic Taycan video taught me anything, it’s that high-performance EVs can behave somewhat like a rocket ship in a child’s hands when in the incorrect or even merely distracted hands.
Because I write about transportation and EVs for a living, I was aware that electric cars, from commuter Kias to sporty Teslas, deliver nearly instantaneous, gut-punching acceleration unlike any gasoline-powered vehicle, and they do so without the auditory and tactile cues of a combustion engine, given that EVs’ elasticky pedals are met with nearly silent acceleration. That probably contributed to the unfortunate Taycan falling from a neighboring precipice.
I also understood that the RS E-Tron GT’s 637 peak horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque are a lot, and that its claimed acceleration time of 3.1 seconds to 60 mph places it squarely in the supercar category. But because I had never personally encountered such things, I didn’t know what to anticipate.
I made the decision to pursue it after hearing some supportive remarks from my coworkers. One staff transportation editor who was wise beyond her years advised me, “Don’t drive it off a cliff.”
When I got there and discovered I’d start my guided drive from a mountainside residence, which meant I’d have to first make my way down a steep, narrow drive with lots of tight twists and turns, it didn’t exactly allay my anxieties. It provided the ideal backdrop for the popular YouTube video “IDIOT WRECKS $140K AUDI [LOST HIS JOB & DIGNITY].”
I started out slowly in an effort to allay my worries and prevent me from going viral. However, the Audi filled in for me where I fell short. Its smooth power delivery was reasonable and not at all abrupt, despite the fact that I had some difficulty seeing the road over the sedan’s long hood from my low seat. I still managed to complete the descent without colliding with any trees or falling off the edge of the mountain, so I considered that a success.
The real test would be if I could increase my speed to more regular levels without crashing this $140,000 carwhich I did not owninto a guardrail.
I swung onto the main road and started running. My anxieties turned into a kind of insane glee once I repeatedly put my foot down. The E-Tron GT’s raw speed and violent torque were so overwhelming that it made me feel genuinely ecstatic as someone whose usual modes of transportation are a bike and a 30-year-old Volvo that is just marginally faster than said bike. Despite being on a rocket ship, I managed to steer it.
A classic car accelerates by rumbling up to speed gradually and by hearing the engine turn at increasing RPMs. However, the E-Tron GTor has none of that accumulation compared to comparable EVs. When you hit the accelerator, the car immediately accelerates and the only sound is an unnatural, futuristic whine that Audi pumps through the speakers.
Every push of the throttle propelled the car ahead and sent me flying back into my seat. I laughed. I was a child in a candy shop that was traveling at breakneck speed down the motorway.
The RS E-Tron GT had a comfortable feeling about it by the time I reached the halfway point of my trip. I changed the setting from “Comfort” to “Dynamic,” which is Audi’s term for a sporty setting, and started pushing the car harder and making turns a little bit quicker. As I became more at ease, my handswhich had been balled up in a sweaty death grip for a large portion of the driverelaxed somewhat (albeit they still were sweaty).
Even though the acceleration was completely absurd and out of the ordinary, it eventually looked almost controllable because it was predictable and consistent. I had the confidence to stomp on the throttle when necessary since the all-wheel-drive E-Tron GT felt firmly planted and grippy as it navigated the winding mountain roads of the Hudson Valley.
The car’s strong brakes and regenerative-braking system, a typical feature in EVs, made it effortless to slow down in order to make a sharp bend. As soon as the accelerator is released in an EV or hybrid, regenerative braking kicks in to begin slowing the vehicle down in order to collect energy and recharge the battery.
However, I didn’t need to travel very quickly to have a blast in the E-Tron GT. I had a lot of fun putting my foot down at almost any speed thanks to the quick, always-available torque that’s present in most EVs but is turned up many, many levels in the Audi. That, I’m told, is made possible by the sedan’s two-speed transmission, which is unique to the Taycan among contemporary EVs.
The E-Tron GT’s head-up display, which projected your speed onto the windshield in front of you, came in quite handy when I did need to open it up. The ability to check my speed without taking my eyes off the road was a pleasant feature considering the car’s capacity to swing from slightly fast to fully reckless endangerment in a couple of seconds.
As my drive came to an end, I was more disappointed that I, a mere scribe, would probably never, ever possess the six-figure luxury tourer than I was worried about breaking it to pieces. Driving the E-Tron GT, however, allowed me to personally comprehend why some of their owners are so enthusiastic about switching from dinosaur goo to battery power. Electric cars are, nonetheless, rapidly becoming more affordable.
If you enjoy that type of thing, the appeal of a speedy EV that livens up a morning commute or supermarket run is clear, even when taking into account the challenges of charging and extended excursions. From a more pragmatic standpoint, it’s also convenient to have enough electric torque available to quickly pass a truck or a driver weaving in and out of traffic. These benefits, along with a more environmentally friendly power source, increase the allure of EVs.
But for the time being, I’ll get by with my bicycle, my dingy old station wagon, and hopefully the odd afternoon with something a little more thrilling. And if I ever appear in a popular YouTube video, I only ask that you do one thing:
What is the price of an Audi RS?
The 2022 Audi RS 5 4dr Hatchback AWD is the most affordable model of the 2022 Audi RS 5. (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A). Its Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), which includes destination fees, is around $76,200. Other models include the $46,200 starting 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A).
What does an Audi electric cost?
The basic model Premium of the 2022 Audi e-tron costs $66,995. Additionally, a Premium Plus trim level is available for $75,895. The Chronos Edition, a high-end trim level, is available for $84,495 in total. A tax credit of up to $7,500 is also offered for the e-tron.
What is the cost of the 2021 Audi e-tron GT?
Although the pricing of a 2021 Audi e-tron GT hasn’t been disclosed or verified, we anticipate it will start at roughly $75,000. That is around the same beginning price as the most recent Audi e-tron SUV vehicle that is currently being built.
The Audi RS e-tron GT’s top speed.
“0-60 in 3.0 seconds (2.8 when you account for one foot of rollout) and through the quarter mile in 11 seconds flat at 125.8 mph; the RS e-tron GT certainly goes, and it stops just about as well.
RS e-tron GT by Audi is electric, right?
Through contrasting stitching in express red, the RS design package, red enhances the inside of the vehicle with eye-catching details.
With the RS design package, steel grey stitching and high-quality inside materials work together to subtly contrast with grey to highlight the interior design of the vehicle.
Turn yourself into a designer by making your Audi RS e-tron GT as distinctive as you are.
The flat underbody’s integrated 800-volt lithium-ion battery provides incredibly high performance when driving and while charging. According to the WLTP measurement process, it offers a range of up to 481 kilometres when used in conjunction with the recuperation system.
Impressive power delivery is provided by the Audi RS e-tron GT’s fully electric quattro all-wheel drive. It can provide up to 440 kW of power with an electric drive on the front and back axles.
Increased driving dynamics and agility
Convincing deceleration is guaranteed by an optional high-performance brake system with ceramic brake discs covered in tungsten carbide or strengthened with carbon fiber.
Aerodynamics features
Through two settings for the rear wing and the front cooling air inlets, the aerodynamics may be actively changed depending on the driving circumstances.
What will the price of the Audi e-tron be?
The starting price of the comparable 2021 e-tron is $65,900, which is a little higher than normal for the luxury electric SUV segment. See if your local Audi dealer is participating in our U.S. News Best Price Program for fantastic savings. On our page of Audi offers, you can also find fantastic manufacturer incentives.
How much will RS3 cost in 2022?
The price of the updated compact sedan with the turbo five-cylinder is $2800 higher than the outgoing model. The base price of the 2022 Audi RS3 is $59,995. It boasts an all-wheel drive system and a 2.5-liter inline-five engine with 401 horsepower.
What Audi RS has the best speed?
One of the newest additions to the Audi RS range, the Audi RSQ8, which can reach 190 mph, might be for you if speed is your main priority. The Audi RS3 Sportback, Audi RS3 Saloon, or Audi RS5 Coup all have a top speed of 174 mph, which is equally amazing. The peak speed of the other models in the lineup is around 155 mph, which is hardly a meager top speed.
Some drivers may be more interested in Audi RS performance, such as how quickly the Audi RS range reaches 0-62 mph, due to UK road law prohibiting the Audi RS range from reaching their highest speed:
What will an Audi e-tron cost in 2022?
The starting price for the electric SUV Audi e-tron in 2022 is $65,900. The starting price for the e-tron Sportback is $69,100. There is a $7,500 federal tax credit available, as well as several state incentives and a free charging scheme.
Anticipated trends of electric cars
EV trends appear to be focused on hands-free technologies and AI as the EV market develops. In 2022, as electric car technology advances and people acquire confidence in autonomous piloting technology, we might witness a rise in the prevalence of self-driving vehicles. While other automakers are only now starting to deploy their own versions of the Autopilot software, Tesla released its initial version back in 2015. Volvo recently unveiled Ride Pilot, its own autonomous vehicle technology, which would let drivers drive on highways without keeping an eye on the car, allowing them to dine or watch a movie.
Although battery-powered electric vehicles are now the most popular kind, German automakers, such as Audi and BMW, are also working on hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Without emitting harmful emissions into the atmosphere, these vehicles internalize the conversion of hydrogen into energy. Since hydrogen fuel cells can store more energy than lithium-ion batteries, they might be more prevalent in 2022. However, detractors claim that the battery electric vehicle business is more lucrative than the market for hydrogen vehicles. It’s just incredibly tough to generate hydrogen, store it, and use it in a car, Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO, said.
Most anticipated EVs for 2022
While Tesla dominates the electric vehicle market in terms of sales, a number of rival automakers are generating excitement for their upcoming 2022 models. This year, consumers eagerly anticipate the following automobile releases:
- The electric Tesla Cybertruck Tesla Cybertruck’s introduction is anticipated for later in 2022, which is later than pre-ordering customers anticipated. The majority of buyers surveyed by Business Insider claimed that they were willing to wait for the six-passenger truck despite the fact that it has four motors and four-wheel steering, which enable the vehicle to make incredibly tight bends.
- BMW iX: The electric vehicle BMW iX has appeared in magazines including Car and Driver, Car Magazine, and Edmunds’ lists of the finest electric cars and best electric SUVs. The vehicle has roomy seats, a wide trunk, and a luxurious cabin.
- Chevy Equinox EV: In 2023, General Motors will introduce an electric version of the well-liked Chevy Equinox. With a starting price of roughly $30,000, potential EV buyers might be persuaded to hold off on making a purchase until the SUV is released.
- Nissan ARIYA: Arriving in the fall of 2022, the Nissan ARIYA sports a twin motor, an enhanced range of up to 300 miles on a single charge, built-in Alexa, and intelligent blind spot intervention.
- Toyota bZ4X: Toyota’s new all-electric SUV has a driving range of up to 250 miles, Apple CarPlay, and improved safety features. It can also be charged at home.
Average cost of an electric vehicle
Initially, electric automobiles are more expensive than gas-powered ones. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average cost of an EV is $56,437, which is about $5,000 more expensive than the average cost of a base-model, high-end, gas-powered car. However, the gas savings might offset the difference in sticker price. According to a Consumer Reports study, gasoline costs are reduced by about 60% for EV drivers compared to gas-powered vehicle drivers. According to CNBC, the entire cost of a gas-powered automobile would be $94,540 over the course of its 200,000-mile lifespan, whereas the cost of an equivalent EV would be $90,160.
Additionally, federal tax incentives that can reduce the cost of your vehicle by as much as $7,500 are helping to cut the sticker price of EVs. Additionally, because to advancements in battery and technology, EVs should become much more affordable in the upcoming years.
Average cost of car insurance for EVs?
All vehicle types combined, full coverage auto insurance in the U.S. costs an average of $1,674. The price of car insurance for electric vehicles varies, however. High-end EVs have higher insurance costs. For instance, the average cost of complete coverage for a Tesla Model S is $3,802, while the average cost of full coverage for a Fiat 500c is $1,463. However, costs will change depending on your unique traits, the make and model of your car, and the insurer you pick. You might wish to research businesses that specialize in EV insurance.
In general, insurance for electric vehicles is more expensive than for conventional vehicles. Why? Generally speaking, electric vehicles are more expensive and require more frequent repairs. Insurance firms may increase the cost of car insurance for EV owners in anticipation of these higher repair costs.