Audi e-tron GT VS. Tesla Model S: How Do They Compare?

Tesla is no longer the only game in town.

Tesla has had the all-electric luxury sedan and crossover market to itself for too many years now, at least that’s how automakers like Audi feel. At this year’s LA Auto Show, Audi unveiled its e-tron GT concept, which heavily previews the production version set to arrive for the 2021 model year. Assuming the production version will closely mirror the specs of the concept, then the Tesla Model S have something to worry about? Well, let’s compare some numbers. But first off, we’re using the Model S 75D version because there’s a greater chance e-tron GT buyers will cross shop with that variant. So let’s get started.

Range

The 2021 Audi e-tron GT will come with a 90 kWh battery good for a range of 248.5 miles under WLTP rules. The Model S has a 75 kWh battery with an EPA-rated 259 miles. Believe it or not, EPA range testing is said to be a bit more accurate than the European method. Therefore, the Model S has the advantage here, but remember: both Audi and Tesla will continue to improve their respective range-related technologies by the time the production-spec e-tron GT arrives.

Charging Times

The e-tron GT concept can reportedly charge to 80 percent in 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the Model S can recharge to a 170-mile range in 30 minutes with a DC fast charger, but using a Supercharger will likely better than time. It's also important to bear in mind that by the time the Audi goes on sale, Tesla will no almost surely improve its batteries and Supercharging network even more. As for home charging, the Model S comes with a 11.5 kW onboard AC charger that needs to be plugged in, while the e-tron GT has an 11 kW wireless charging system.

Performance

Without question, the Audi has the advantage. It will go from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and tops off at 149 mph. The Model S 75D does the same deed in 4.2 seconds and 140 mph. Audi also notes its EV can continue to perform at its peak without the driver having to make driving concessions (meaning to take it easy). The Tesla, meanwhile, automatically begins to cut back power following hard usage.

Seating And Styling

There’s no question with this one. The Tesla Model S can seat five comfortably and also has those optional rear jump seats. The Audi e-tron GT, however, has seating for four. But remember, this is the concept version. The production e-tron GT may gain a fifth seat.

As far as everything else goes, namely styling inside and out, it’s purely one’s personal tastes. To us, the Audi is the better-looking vehicle, but we need to bear in mind it’s still a concept and styling is always toned down somewhat for production. Also, the Tesla Model S is six years old, so it’s okay to say the design might be somewhat dated, but we still think it looks great today.

Audi e-tron GT Concept Arrives Before Official Debut

It looks spectacular in the metal.

Set to make its official debut here at the 2018 LA Auto Show, the Audi e-tron GT Concept was revealed to a select few media last night in downtown LA with Robert Downy Jr. doing the honors. Yes, we were there, alas no-one was permitted to take any pictures, but these images of a camouflaged model have now been released. You'll have to wait for images of the car - which looks spectacular - when it premieres to the world tomorrow.

Audi has been teasing what will soon become a Tesla Model S fighter over the past couple weeks, but specific details remain scarce. What we do know is that it shares much of its general underpinnings with the also upcoming Porsche Taycan. Remember, both Porsche and Audi are part of the VW Group.

While the e-tron is an SUV crossover, the e-tron GT takes the shape of a sleek four-door coupe, with a similar silhouette to the A7, sleek athletic lines, a muscular rear end and bags of supercar performance.

We’ve long been huge fans of the liftback body style. It’ll reportedly have a 248-mile range on a single charge and 80 percent of its battery can be recharged in less than 12 minutes as it’ll be the first Audi EV equipped with batteries capable of charging at 350 kWh. In other words, don’t worry about range anxiety because it won’t be a problem. Performance details are yet to be confirmed but Audi told us 0-60 mph will happen in 3.5 seconds.

The e-tron GT, once it reaches production, will be the second pure electric Audi and the German automaker plans to have a total of 12 EVs on the market by 2025.

The few Audi e-tron GT concept images you’re looking at show the vehicle covered in a camouflage wrap of sorts, very similar to what was used to slightly disguise the e-tron SUV concept last summer. The production version is expected to arrive sometime in 2020. We’ll learn a ton of new details starting tomorrow and along with additional images and live shots then as well.

Audi A3 e-tron Bites The Dust

Strict new WLTP emissions regulations strike down another plug-in hybrid Audi.

The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) was introduced this year in an attempt to bring manufacturer fuel consumption claims and real-world results closer to each other. The far stricter testing procedures have highlighted large discrepancies between these two figures in a number of vehicles and Audi’s e-tron range has now suffered its second casualty in the UK.

According to UK publication Autocar, the A3 Sportback e-tron has now been dropped from Audi’s UK lineup joining the recently discontinued Q7 e-tron.

An Audi spokesperson told Autocar that: “We will introduce new engine models during changes of generation or product upgrades. Introducing them at this stage in the product lifecycle is not constructive in economic terms.” A new A3 is due in a year and a half so re-engineering the current car does seem a bit pointless, but this does mean that there are now no Audi plug-in hybrids available to UK customers.

It is not only Audi’s models that have suffered at the hands of the WLTP regulations, a number of other plug-in hybrids from rival manufacturers have also been discontinued. The recent removal of the UK Government grant for plug-in hybrids has not helped matters either. The all-electric e-tron SUV, a model that we already get, is still slated for a UK introduction in early 2019 as are a number of upcoming Audi EVs.

US customers can still order the $39,500 A3 Sportback e-tron for the time being, its combined 204 hp and 258 lb ft of torque allied with good fuel economy are still competitive in its segment.

But the all-new all-electric $74,800 e-tron Crossover is where the market is moving. With a planned 12 all-electric Audi models due by 2025, there will also be an estimated 8 plug-in variants, but they were always going to be a stopgap on the way to full electrification.

Audi Shows its A3 e-tron Prototype

Audi is expanding their e-tron lineup of electric technology with their next-generation prototypes. Before they begin to hit the road in the next few years, we're now being given an even clearer preview of what to expect with the future A3 e-tron. The car feature a straightforward electric drive system consisting of an electric motor that drives the front wheels and produces a total of 134 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque.

This allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 11.2 seconds (contain the laughter) and has a top speed of 90 mph (let the laughter begin). However, the car has an 87 mile range on a single charge of its 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. Charging time for the battery will take roughly nine hours using a regular household power outlet or about four hours when using a special 400 volt rapid charger. The exterior of the A3 e-tron looks identical to the regular gasoline and diesel cars.

However, the prototype receives a new instrument cluster, Alcantara trim, a heated windshield, and a lower power consumption air conditioning unit. Audi hasn't announced an official production date, but the automaker's first expected all-electric e-tron car will be the R8 e-tron. It's expected to go on sale in the U.S. sometime in 2013.

Audi e-tron GT Concept's LA Debut Is A Huge Party

Even Ironman was invited.

Following yesterday’s lightly camo-covered teaser images, Audi has released full details and photos of its all-electric e-tron GT concept, which is slated to enter production in about two years. Chances are, the production version won’t differ much from the concept you see here. And because this is the LA Auto Show, the concept’s debut was also a huge star-studded party. Even Ironman himself, Robert Downey, Jr. came for the festivities.

The e-tron GT will be Audi’s next all-electric production model, following the e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback. Described as flat, wide and with a long wheelbase, the e-tron GT has the proportions of a classic Grand Turismo, though it’s described as a four-door coupe.

To help offset the weight of the battery powertrain, the concept’s body is made of lightweight materials, specifically carbon fiber and generous doses of aluminum. Audi outright admits development was done alongside sister VW Group brand Porsche, which makes sense consider this concept shares much of its underpinning with the also upcoming Porsche Taycan. But Audi is also quick to point out the e-tron GT is still very much an Audi.

With its sportback body style, the e-tron GT concept very much reminds us of the Audi A7. Both have a sloping roofline that extends well into the rear, a design trait Audi promises we’ll be seeing more of with future models. Its wheel arches and shoulders are beautifully sculpted, thanks to the genius of Audi design boss Marc Lichte. Also notice how the cabin tapers strongly toward the rear.

The concept also spent time in the wind tunnel as the shape of the air vents, wheel arches, and solid rear diffuser were all dictated by this. Even the 22-inch five twin-spoke wheels were designed with function in mind. They also look pretty darn sweet. Up front is, of course, Audi’s trademark single frame large grille, with the top half painted in body color and the honeycomb pattern featured on RS models. The LED headlights feature laser high-beam and a new visual signature that will soon find its way to future production models. Those large air inlets help cool the assemblies, battery, and brakes. Even the hood’s surface was sculpted in a way to better help with airflow.

The interior can accommodate up to four passengers in style. Although what you see here will be toned down some for the production version, the general design won’t deviate that much. The center console and large touchscreen make the driver and front passenger seat a wonderful place to be. Even the sports seats were inspired by motor racing.

Audi also specifically points out that absolutely no animal-based products were used. The entire interior is vegan, featuring synthetic leather on the seats and trim surfaces. The fabrics for the seat cushions were made from recycled fibers, while a microfiber material adorns the headlining and window pillar trim. Heck, even the floor carpet is made from recycled fishing nets.

And because there’s no internal combustion engine, the e-tron GT features a trunk and a ‘frunk’, with 15.9 cubic feet and 3.5 cubic feet of storage, respectively. As for performance (we knew you’ve been waiting for this part), Audi claims the e-tron GT produces a total of 590 hp thanks to a pair of electric motors mounted to the front and rear axles. Torque is put down to all four wheels.

The electronic control system coordinates the drive between the axles as well as between left and right wheels, meaning optimum traction and just the desired amount of slip. Audi predicts a 0-62 mph time in about 3.5 seconds and 0-100 in just over 12 seconds, while top speed is regulated to 149 mph.

The concept can already achieve a range of over 248.5 miles thanks to a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the floor between the front and rear axles. As with all EVs with this layout, the e-tron GT has a very low center of gravity. There’s also an energy recuperation system that increases range by up to 30 percent. Charging can be done in a few ways, such as simply using a cable and plugging it in to a charger. Because it’s fitted with an 800-volt system, an 80 percent charge can be achieved in only 20 minutes. Wireless charging, via a charging pad on the ground, is also possible.

If all goes to plan, Audi will begin production of the e-tron GT in 2020 with first deliveries expected in 2021. Word has it Ironman has already placed an order.

Audi Promises New e-tron GT Concept For LA

The electric "supercar" concept will probably have four (or five) doors

Audi has a raft of new products to show us at the LA Auto Show this year. And most of them are vehicles we've seen. But it does have one trick up its sleeve, and from what little we know, it looks like it could steal the show.

The German automaker says it will unveil a new e-tron GT concept at the Californian expo next week. And though it hasn't released much in the way of actual details, it does refer to the show car as a “fully electric supercar concept” that will bring electrification to the Audi Sport lineup for the first time.

The term “supercar” typically refers to a two-door coupe or convertible. And we won't be surprised if that's the form the concept ultimately takes. But from everything we've seen so far, we've come to expect a sedan (or four-door coupe), borrowing its underpinnings from sister-brand Porsche's forthcoming Taycan and previewed by the above teaser image released this past summer.

In addition to the new e-tron crossover, Audi has applied the handle to a succession of concepts in recent years – including the e-tron Sportback concept revealed in Shanghai last year, and the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo racer designed for the popular PlayStation game.

Ingolstadt also showed the PB18 e-tron concept earlier this year up the coast in Monterey, and did a couple of R8 e-tron concepts that applied electric powertrains to its mid-engined supercar. Whatever the shape the new concept takes, it'll be joined on Audi's show stand by the new A6, A7, A8, Q8, and the aforementioned e-tron crossover – all of which are fresh for the 2019 model year and are now reaching dealers. So we don't expect any surprises there, but the new e-tron GT ought to attract its share of attention when it's revealed next Wednesday, November 28, at 1:05 pm Pacific time.