2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT Review

With power and torque outputs that rival supercars, physics-bending handling capabilities, a luxurious, refined interior, and an incredible presence on the road, the Audi RS e-Tron GT is a true marvel of engineering… And Audi has given us the keys.

Well, you know the drill, we’ll be putting this thing through its paces, performance testing it including a 0-100km/h sprint, as well as seeing how well it will go up Saucy Corner! We’ll also be taking a close look at everything you get with the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT, the optional add-on packs, and how it compares to its slightly more aggressive cousin - the Porsche Taycan.

How much does the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT cost?

Supercar performance and styling come at a price, and the Audi RS e-Tron GT is no exception.

This RS version of the Audi e-Tron GT comes in at $264,888 driveaway, and then you add on the options.

The model we tested is fitted with the ‘Sensory’ pack, and includes such luxuries as massage seats, heated outboard rear seats, and an air quality booster, to name a few, and will set you back an additional $8400. 

So as tested, our Audi comes in at $273,288 driveaway.

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What do we think of the exterior looks of the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT?

The 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT is simply stunning. 

From the front, what differentiates the RS from the e-Tron GT is the black fascia, which contrasts nicely with the “Floret Silver” paint on our test model. Speaking of which, all eight paint finishes are gorgeous and available as no-cost options on both the e-Tron GT and RS e-Tron GT, except for Ascari blue and Tactical green, which are extra on the e-Tron GT. Up front, you will also notice the extensive array of cameras and sensors which are used by the fantastic kit of active safety features that come as standard on the e-Tron GT. This is surrounded by a geometric pattern on the blocked-up grille, while the sides have pretty aggressive aerodynamic lines and vents to direct air to the absolutely massive carbon ceramic brakes.

Coming to the side, our RS model came fitted with 21-inch alloys with an aerodynamic 10-spoke design, they look very sleek and futuristic on such a low car, and there are a few other options to choose from including other colours or a 5-spoke design. The side profile really shows just how low and long the e-Tron GT is, with its sweeping coupe lines and aggressive wine tunnel behind the front wheels. Again, simply stunning design.

The back of the car is also very distinctive because of the massive light bar that runs across the entire width of the car, all the lighting on the car is - expectedly - LED and in premium Euro style will do a little dance when the car is unlocked or locked. 

Audi also offers numerous options in the way of customisation, the RS can be equipped with a “Carbon and black exterior styling pack”, which our test model did not have; this replaces the glass roof with a carbon fibre roof, adds carbon mirror caps and blacks out all the badges at the front and rear. Personally, I would rather stick with the all-glass roof, as it really brightens up the black interior of the car. There are also a number of interior option packages which I will detail in the following section.

Overall the Audi RS e-Tron GT has a powerful presence on the road, but in a very different way from its Porsche counterpart. Where the Porsche has sporty, racer styling the Audi opts for a more subtle, polite, and refined exterior. That’s not to say that the Audi is ‘tame’ by any means, but what it lacks in sportiness it makes up for in maturity.

What’s the interior and connectivity like of the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT?

The interior of the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT is the German Rainbow - a sea of black and grey - though the materials used are a high-quality blend of real carbon fibre, Alcantara, and leather. This extends to the doors, which are soft-touch Alcantara and feel incredibly premium. The steering wheel is a beautiful leather unit and provides good grip while remaining comfortable. All the media and instrument cluster controls are also very well laid out and the instrument cluster itself is high resolution, responsive, and exactly what you would expect from a car at this price point.

Moving over to the infotainment system, it is impressively responsive and runs what Audi calls “MMI” multimedia interface, which is a minimalist, refined interface with satisfyingly tactile feedback with every touch. It makes use a pleasure, by making the screen feeling like a big button that vibrates happily when used. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are both wireless, and climate controls are physical buttons, which has our tick of approval. Interestingly the climate control system seems like an older version that what is found in something like an Audi e-Tron S SUV, which has an entire second display used for climate and other convenient functions. 

We also have our seat heating and cooling controls laid out, funny enough you can have both activated simultaneously… so I would assume they cancel each other out and you get a lukewarm lounge experience, either that or Newton was wrong about the laws of Thermodynamics. Additionally, you get a heated steering wheel, and even a massage function for the seats.

Coming to the seats, these are genuinely some of the most comfortable and supportive seats we have experienced, they can be adjusted in every direction through power controls, with additional bolstering adjustments available in the infotainment.

In the centre console there are a couple of cupholders, a small centre armrest that contains a wireless charger and USB-C ports, and a 12V socket. Storage is something that Audi has put thought into, you get a dedicated area near the shift knob as well as an ample glovebox that is felt-lined, to stop your expensive items from rattling around as you rapidly approach the speed of sound.

Finally, if you don’t opt for the Carbon package, you will have a massive glass roof that stretches the length of your Audi RS e-Tron GT, it is a quality piece of glass, not letting in any sound, and really helps to bring some light to the otherwise black interior of your four door super-EV.

What about the Back seats of the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT?

You get three luxurious, Nappa leather seats in the back, while the middle seat is a little cramped. It does serve as a fold down armrest with a couple of cupholders, and a pass-through to the boot for longer items.

Materials in the back are also as high-quality as up front, with soft leather and swaths of alcantara on the doors. You also get a third zone of climate control and a couple of USB-C ports. The back seats can also fold down to expand the storage in the back, in fact, let’s talk about it!

How much can it fit in the boot of the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT?

Given that the Audi RS e-Tron GT has a very slow roofline, the cargo space in the back is expectedly compromised in terms of height, while the width and height are adequate. It will be able to fit some small bags with a luggage capacity of 366L, just don’t expect to get any oversized items in the back.

This luggage space is supplemented by an 85L frunk - in the front, which is a good inclusion to see.

What’s powers the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT?

The 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT is powered by dual electric motors running in sync, with the front motor producing 175kW of power to the front wheels, and the rear producing 335kW to the rear wheels. This combines to a total output of 440kW, and 830Nm of torque to all four wheels, via a rear-wheel drive biased all-wheel drive system. The RS also gets overboost which boosts the power to a whopping 475kW.

Like the Porsche Taycan, the e-Tron GT also gets a two-speed transmission from the rear motor to the wheels, which means harder acceleration and a higher top speed.

The RS e-Tron runs off a 93.4kWh battery, which also supports up to 350kW fast charging, and has a WLTP of 447km.

How does the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT drive?

Driving the Audi RS e-Tron GT is an unparalleled experience, it has a combination of mind-bending performance, while still offering Grand Tourer levels of comfort. It is simply put, an incredibly versatile and refined car that is exactly as good as you would expect, sitting atop the entire Audi brand as their flagship product.

Despite weighing close to 2.5 tonnes, it accelerates instantaneously, delivering all 475kW and 830Nm into the tarmac through its advanced 3-motor power train and Quattro AWD system, and you can certainly tell that it is rear-wheel biased, occasionally shuffling the rear out of line while remaining composed and controllable in all conditions.

The handling is absolutely exceptional, which is a given in such a low-sprung EV, though some enthusiasts may observe that it is slightly less precise than something like a Porsche Taycan. It is clear that the differentiating factor between the two EVs - both built on the same platform - is that Audi engineers have tuned the RS e-Tron GT for a more relaxed drive, rather than the ultra-sharp performance possessed by the Porsche counterpart. Adaptive dampers and an air suspension system ensure that even when the car is in its most dynamic drive mode - aptly named ‘Dynamic’, the ride remains smooth.

Then while in ‘Comfort’ mode, you can kick back while the autonomous driving systems do most of the work, and enjoy one of the many massages available to you if you splurged on the ‘Sensory’ pack. Despite its power, the RS e-Tron GT is relatively efficient too, with a claimed 20.2kWh/100km, we did find this exceeded 25kWh/100km in real-world testing, however.

It must be noted that while testing this car, the conditions were shockingly wet and slippery. The Audi handled it with complete grace and ease, it was actually shocking at times how well the car maintained grip on the road. The electric engine also combines with the carbon ceramic brakes to slow the car down, which adds a layer of security to the experience of bombing it around Victorian country roads in the wet. You don’t even notice the two braking systems - it just works seamlessly.

This car is really just exceptional. The fact that it has supercar performance and you’d actually want to daily drive it is just incredible. The tranquility from the lack of engine noise matched with the quality of the materials in the interior, ludicrous performance, as well as the booming Bang and Olufsen sound system really justify the lofty asking price of close to $300k, at least from inside the cabin. 

Is the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT Safe?

The Audi RS e-Tron GT hasn’t been officially tested by ANCAP yet, though its close relative, the Porsche Taycan was awarded a 5-star rating from Global NCAP, and the Audi e-Tron SUV received a 5-star ANCAP rating back in 2019.

The standard suite of safety features included are:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Active Lane Keeping
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (front and rear)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Collision Avoidance Assist
• 360-degree camera system
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Audi Parking Assist
• Junction Crossing Assist

How much does the 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT cost to own?

The Audi e-Tron range is protected by Audi’s 5-year, unlimited km warranty.

The 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT is also covered by Audi’s 6-6-6 offer, which includes:

• 6 years / 90,000km of scheduled servicing (every 30,000km, or every 2 years) 
• 6 years free Chargefox subscription
• 6 years complimentary roadside assistance

Final thoughts - should you buy a 2023 Audi RS e-Tron GT?

A car worth close to $300,000 isn’t going to be for everyone. But, if you are someone with a bit of cash to splash on an ultra-high-performance EV, and you don’t feel like compromising on comfort and style, it is kind of hard to not recommend this car. 

Audi engineers have married the thrill of incredible performance with the opulence and tranquility of a luxury grand tourer. Exceptional power, fantastic handling, ultra-fast electric charging, and all the safety and comfort features you could need. That is what the Audi RS e-Tron GT offers in a sleek, beautiful package. Yes, it is expensive with all the option packages, but when you are sitting behind the wheel, you really do feel like Tony Stark.