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December 10, 2018
Audi Announces the "e-tron GT Concept," an EV GT Model | Audi
Audi e-tron GT concept
Audi Announces the "e-tron GT Concept," an EV GT Model
At the "Los Angeles Motor Show 2018" held in the United States, Audi unveiled the all-electric four-door Gran Turismo, the "Audi e-tron GT concept," to the world for the first time. The production version of this concept car will be handled by Audi Sport GmbH, Audi's subsidiary for developing high-performance models, and is expected to arrive in about two years.
Text by HARA Akira
A Typical GT Body with a Flat, Wide Stance and Long Wheelbase
The "e-tron GT concept" announced this time is the third model in the e-tron family, following the Audi "e-tron," which has already begun production, and the Audi "e-tron Sportback," scheduled for release in 2019. The four-door, four-seater coupe body measures 4.96 meters long, 1.96 meters wide, and 1.38 meters high, with a long wheelbase of 2.9 meters, embodying the classic Gran Turismo silhouette.
The body, featuring a multi-material structure combining a carbon roof, numerous aluminum components, and high-strength steel, was jointly developed with Porsche, also part of the Volkswagen Group. Meanwhile, the Sportback-style design with its flowing roofline contributes to fuel efficiency and carries Audi's DNA, according to the company.
Between the five twin-spoke, 22-inch front and rear wheels, prominent side sills hint at the location of the battery, the energy source for the e-tron GT concept. The arrow-shaped front section, more aggressive than in existing models, signifies the presence of LED headlights with laser high-beam and animation functions. The horizontal single-frame grille emphasizes that this car is a future model from Audi Sport GmbH. The body color is a dark shade called Kinetic Dust, resembling titanium.
The interior features a state-of-the-art, horizontal digital cockpit ergonomically optimized to surround the driver with controls and functions. The instrument panel display and the touchscreen on the center console are finished in a black panel style, allowing drivers to customize layouts for virtual analog displays, navigation with range information, infotainment, and more. Operation is via a touchscreen with haptic feedback.
Notably, all interior materials are plant-derived, with no animal products used. Specifically, synthetic leather is used for the seat and trim fabrics, recycled fibers for the seat cushions, armrests, and center console, microfiber for the headlining trim, and recycled nylon from used fishing nets for the carpets. As an advantage of EVs, it offers two luggage compartments: 450 liters in the rear and 100 liters of storage space under the hood.
Audi e-tron GT concept
Audi Announces the "e-tron GT Concept," an EV GT Model (2)
System Output of 590 hp Accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.5 Seconds
The permanent magnet synchronous electric motors (PM motors) mounted individually on the front and rear axles generate a system output of 434 kW (590 hp). It features an electric quattro all-wheel-drive system with no mechanical link between the front and rear axles, adjusting drive forces not only between front and rear but also between left and right wheels for optimal traction.
The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 12 seconds. To maximize range, the top speed is limited to 240 km/h. A sophisticated cooling system prevents performance reduction due to heat, allowing for repeated full-acceleration runs.
The lithium-ion battery, supplying the necessary drive energy, has a capacity of over 90 kWh, with a claimed range exceeding 400 km under the new WLTP mode. The regenerative system can extend the range by up to 30 percent.
This regeneration system offers three modes: manual coasting regeneration via paddle shifters, automatic coasting regeneration via predictive efficiency assist, and braking regeneration that smoothly transitions between electric and hydraulic braking. For deceleration below 0.3 G, only the electric motors are engaged. This regenerative braking, which does not use conventional brakes, accounts for 90 percent of all deceleration patterns, meaning energy is effectively returned to the battery with normal braking operations. For braking above 0.3 G, conventional wheel brakes are also used.
The e-tron GT concept supports an 800-volt charging system, significantly reducing charging time. Despite its large battery capacity, it takes only 20 minutes to charge to 80 percent, providing a range of 320 km. Charging can be done via a cable connected to the flap on the front left fender, or through contactless charging using Audi Wireless Charging, which utilizes a charging pad with a primary coil installed in the parking floor.
The production model of the e-tron GT concept is slated for release by the end of 2020, with the first deliveries announced for early 2021.







