New Audi e-tron GT gets £28k price hike – but performance takes a big leap too

• Available in S, RS and RS Performance trims
• Up to 912bhp
• Prices start from £107,730

Audi’s flagship electric car, the Audi e-tron GT, has gone under the knife for 2024, receiving a wide-sweeping set of visual, chassis and performance upgrades, as well as a loftier price tag.

When it first landed on showroom floors in 2021, the base Audi e-tron GT would’ve set you back £79,900. Three years later, that starting price has inflated to £107,730 – an increase of nearly £28,000. That being said, it’s hard to compare the two cars like-for-like, as the new model arrives with a host of major upgrades, with up to 912bhp and 374 miles of range on offer.

14

Since the Audi e-tron GT’s initial debut, it's fair to say that electric performance cars have kicked up a notch. We’ve seen the likes of the new 905bhp Lotus Emeya and the lairy Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in that time, so Audi will hope that this round of upgrades is enough to keep the e-tron GT at the front of the pack.

What do I need to know about the new Audi e-tron GT?

The Audi e-tron GT shares the majority of its electrical hardware with the Porsche Taycan, which received its own facelift earlier this year. However, the new e-tron GT is now over £20,000 more expensive than the entry-level Porsche Taycan – although the latter can’t match the e-tron GT for performance.

The Audi e-tron GT range has expanded from two to three models for this facelift. The regular ‘e-tron GT’ has been dropped – buyers must now choose between the S e-tron GT, the RS e-tron GT, and the RS e-tron GT Performance, with performance stepping up at each level. None are slow, however, with the S e-tron GT getting 671bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 3.4 seconds. That’s 148bhp more and 0.7 seconds quicker than the outgoing entry-level e-tron GT.

The RS e-tron GT is a more serious piece of kit with 845bhp, while the Performance variant is the most powerful car that Audi has ever built. Its 912bhp is enough to launch it from 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds – 0.3 seconds quicker than the regular RS e-tron GT.

14

Like the latest Porsche Taycan, the e-tron GT gets a new 105kWh battery (97kWh usable) which Audi claims is far more energy-dense than the outgoing unit. Range has improved as a result; the base car can travel up to 374 miles, versus the old car’s sub-300-mile range. That’s certainly a big leap, but it can’t quite match the 421-mile range of the Taycan. Charging speeds have seen an upgrade, too, with a 10-80% charge taking just 18 minutes at 320kW DC.

A new standard-fit air suspension system has been designed to provide better body control when aggressively cornering, accelerating and braking, but also to deliver a smoother ride when you’re not in such a rush. Tick the option box for active suspension, and Audi claims that the air springs work with electronically controlled dampers to virtually eliminate any body roll. As a bonus, the system can raise and lower the whole car when parked to make it easier to get in and out of. To help bring the e-tron GT to a stop, there are larger brakes, while optional carbon-ceramic discs with giant 10-piston callipers can be fitted for a fee.

On the outside, the visual upgrades are minor for the Audi S e-tron GT, although its large black ‘mask’ and new 20-inch wheels set it apart from the outgoing model. RS versions get a more aggressive front bumper with L-shaped ‘blades’ helping to direct air flow, along with a new diffuser at the rear and a set of 21-inch wheels. Performance models add some ‘chopped’ carbon fibre trim to the mix.

14

The only major change inside the Audi e-tron GT is the new steering wheel, complete with orange ‘Boost’ and ‘RS’ buttons. Elsewhere you’ll spot new trim and upholstery options, while Performance cars get plenty of carbon fibre to match the exterior.

How much does the new Audi e-tron GT cost and when can I buy one?

Prices for the Audi S e-tron GT start from £107,730, which looks like a very sharp increase over the old entry-level model on paper. However, its performance figures are now on par with the outgoing RS e-tron GT, which started from around £111,000 when it went on sale in 2021. Upgrading to the ‘Vorsprung’ trim level brings a host of extra features, including the active suspension system, but adds £22,900 to the base price.

The new Audi RS e-tron GT costs £126,330 is its standard guise, with Carbon Black and Carbon Vorsprung trims costing £138,830 and £149,830, respectively.

To get behind the wheel of the most powerful Audi ever, you’ll need to hand over £142,830 for the RS e-tron GT Performance. In its most expensive – and longest-named – specification, the Audi RS e-tron GT Performance Carbon Vorsprung will cost you £166,330.

All models are on sale now, with the first customers expected to receive their cars later in summer 2024.
Read our list of the best four-door sports cars to find out which cars balance performance and practicality…