Despite it feeling like it was launched yesterday, the handsome Audi E-Tron GT has already been given a facelift. The headline is that the Porsche Taycan’s more straight-laced relative has taken a leaf out of its Stuttgart sibling’s book, and now comes in 912bhp RS Performance form.
The most powerful road car to ever wear four rings, this new version will knock out 62mph in a startling 2.5 seconds. All very impressive, but ask yourself: do you really need all that power, all that pace? It’ll be amusing to you perhaps once, then once again to your friends, after which you’ll spend all your time wondering why you spent so much on something that becomes physically unpleasant when you use its full potential.
Audi E-Tron GT – side
No, the smartest buy with these mainstream, premium electric cars is very often the most basic one. Instant electric power delivery means they still come with plenty of usable power, and they’re still modern luxury cars, so are never really left wanting in the tech department.
The E-Tron GT is a case in point. Yes, if you were a badge snob, you’d have always gone for the top RS version, but if you just wanted a quick, good-looking electric saloon car, why not save a chunk and go for the basic car?
Audi E-Tron GT – interior
You still got a motor on each axle kicking out a total of 469bhp, which sent the car to 62mph in 4.5 seconds. It’s easy to forget, but it’s not that long ago that these were supercar numbers. It had a solid claimed range of 303 miles, too.
It becomes an even more tempting buy when you factor in the unfortunate levels of depreciation hitting some of these luxury EVs, fuelled by the market being flooded with ex-company cars previously secured on low tax rates. Specific UK pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but don’t expect to pay any less than £100k for the new entry point to the E-Tron GT range, the S. The range-topping Performance will probably be closer to £140k.
Audi E-Tron GT – rear
Meanwhile, we’ve found a standard, 2022 E-Tron GT for an oddly specific £43,991. Granted, it’s done 33,000 miles, which is a fair amount for a car that’s less than two years old, and it’s in a resale-friendly but dull spec of black over black.
But that price isn’t only a huge chunk less than any of the new versions, it’s about half what the car would have cost new in 2022. And it’s still a high-end Audi, and one that’s still over a year from needing its first MOT.
Audi E-Tron GT – front
As a second-hand purchase then, it looks like it makes a lot of sense for anyone after a luxurious, quick and reasonably practical EV. You’ll thank yourself when you stamp on the throttle and don’t end up with your spleen somewhere between your shoulder blades.
