This month FACT had an all-electric experience in Audi’s impressive new e-Tron GT Quattro.

With many high-end brands rapidly moving towards an all-electric future, premium car manufacturers, Audi, refuse to be left behind. In fact, they are one of the brands spearheading this paradigm shift in automotive focus.

The Audi e-Tron series is a range of electric and hybrid vehicles developed by the company over the last 15 years. Unveiling their first e-Tron concept vehicle at the 2009 International Motor Show in Germany, they only released a plug-in hybrid model, the A3 Sportback e-Tron, in 2014. It was in 2019 that they introduced the first fully-electric version.

Recently, FACT had the chance to test drive the latest generation (2024) Audi e-Tron GT Quattro, compliments of the team at Audi Centre Bahrain.

Distinguished Exterior Design

With a wide and flat body sitting on a long wheelbase, our first impression of the 2024 Audi e-Tron was that it has the proportions of a Gran Turismo.

Wherever our eyes rested on the e-Tron, we appreciated its aerodynamic design. From the intelligent air inlets at the front to the vented wheel arches at the sides, to the striking rear diffuser, this car has been configured to slice effortlessly through the air. Just looking at this modish coupé made us itch to get out on the roads. From head-on, the LED headlights with dynamic turn signal sit stylishly at the front of the indented bonnet, drawing the eye to the famous four rings – a promise to all would-be buyers of the exceptional quality of this vehicle.

We collectively agreed that the muscular fender flares help to endow the Audi with an athletic stance, as do the five-segment ‘Aero’ style wheels with platinum grey finish and our model’s 21-inch tyres. At the back end, an animated light strip runs across the car’s entire width, framed at its outer edges by individual V-shaped LED segments within the lighting units. Audi Centre Bahrain told us that this impressive double reversing light and indicator function is a first for the brand.

Overall, we found the sculptural design of the exterior to epitomise both power and performance, while combining the sportiness of a high-performance vehicle with the everyday usability of a four-door family car.

Gorgeous Interior

As we entered the vehicle, we were taken by the immaculate composition of the cockpit and overall cabin area, along with the abundance of natural light provided by the panoramic glass sunroof. The sportiness exuded by the car’s exterior continued inside, albeit combined with a sense of exclusivity and ultimate comfort. We were impressed by the comfy yet supportive nature of the 14-way power-adjustable front sport seats, with integrated head restraints and shaped seat side bolsters – providing excellent lateral support for sporty driving.

One of our favourite interior features was the elegant, driverorientated instrument panel with ‘monoposto character’ (a characteristic arched element) taken straight out of the R8 supercar. Yet another superbly designed element was the flat-bottomed, multi-functional Plus steering wheel, featuring shift paddles and electromechanical power-steering. The wheel felt perfect in hand and further urged us to get the car’s wheels spinning on the tarmac. Adding to the day-to-day practicality of the vehicle are the two luggage compartments that provide 85 litres of storage at the front and 405 litres at the back – a capacity considerably increased with the rear seating folded flat.

High-end Tech & Infotainment

Audi have long been amongst the front runners for in-car tech, a fact that is showcased in the new e-Tron GT.

The visually stimulating infotainment system housed in the new e-Tron may not be the most touch-orientated ever presented in an Audi model; however, it does contain an abundance of in-demand content and assists with navigation and communication, providing a wide range of important performance information. We accessed this user-friendly system through the 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen, which we operated through steering-wheel-mounted controls and via voice-recognition software.

Our additional must-mention tech features include the effective three-zone climate control system, the subscription-based wi-fi hotspot, the optional wireless charging and the superb standard Audi sound system.

Surprising Power & Performance

Despite the fact that electronic cars have often proven themselves as capable as their fuel-powered counterparts in terms of on-road or on-track performance, we were still pleasantly surprised when putting the new e-Tron GT through its paces.

This latest model from Audi packs a pair of potent electric motors that work together to create an electronic variant of the brand’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. This not only provides exceptional on-road handling – especially when combined with the adaptive three-chamber air suspension and an electronic differential lock on the rear axle – but also delivers a whole lot of power.

“From the intelligent air inlets at the front to the vented wheel arches at the sides, to the striking rear diffuser, this car has been configured to slice effortlessly through the air.”

The new e-Tron GT features exhilarating launch control and produces 530hp, along with an insane amount of acceleration.

As we applied pressure to the right foot pedal, we were instantly pressed hard against our seating, immediately grateful for the support provided. With ear-to-ear smiles delivered in part by the exhilarating experience and in part by the g-forces, we surged from 0-100km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds! Fortunately, the first-class braking system and overall sublime handling of the car always kept us in complete control of the driving experience.

Although electronic vehicles are generally known as quiet rides, Audi has composed a unique soundtrack for the e-Tron GT that we found both powerful and progressive. These sounds emanate from speakers integrated within the vehicle’s architecture and change according to the driving behaviour – another automotive first from this trailblazing brand.

Audi have also included a full suite of state-of-the-art driver assistance and safety features to ensure the well-being of both driver and passengers.

Impressive Range and Easy Charging

The new e-Tron GT Quattro has a range of up to 488km when fully charged, thanks to its battery, which has a net capacity of 93kWh – a range similar to a full tank on many fuel-powered vehicles.

Recharging this GT isn’t a hassle, with a typical charge of 5% to 80% taking an average of 22.5 minutes on a high-powered charging (HPC) column. If in a hurry, a mere five-minute charge will deliver a 100km range. ✤

GO: CALL AUDI CENTRE BAHRAIN ON 1745 9933 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK AN ELECTRIFYING TEST DRIVE OF YOUR OWN.