The Audi RS e-tron GT Electric Saloon: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The All-Electric Audi RS e-tron GT Saloon

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Audi AG, a Bavaria (Germany) based luxury automotive manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group. Volkswagen AG is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years. Audi electric vehicles (EVs) include:

• Q4 e-tron
• Q4 e-tron Sportback
• e-tron
• e-tron Sportback
• e-tron S
• e-tron S Sportback
• e-tron GT
• RS e-tron GT
• Q4 Sportback e-tron

The Audi e-tron GT concept electric vehicle (EV) was shown in 2018 in Los Angeles. Images of the production model were released in late 2020. The EV shares a lot in common with the all-electric Porsche Taycan (Porsche is also owned by the Volkswagen Group).

The Audi RS e-tron GT pure electric saloon is manufactured in Germany (Böllinger Höfe facility). The battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has been on sale on since March 2021. The RS e-tron GT is a more sporty version of the e-tron GT.

If you are seeking high performance zero-emission electric driving, few models can deliver as well as the pure electric Audi RS e-tron GT coupé styled saloon. The electric vehicle (EV) can achieve 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. Impressive nevertheless, but more so given the weight of the electric vehicle, to include the onboard EV battery (2,276 kg).

The EV has a top speed up to 250 km/h, and can deliver up to 830 Nm torque. Do keep in mind that one of the benefits of electric driving is the access to instant torque! All-wheel drive is available as standard for this EV.

The RS e-tron GT Saloon also offers an impressive pure electric range. The electric car has a 93.4 kWh (800-volt lithium-ion) onboard EV battery with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 465 km (WLTP). Bottom-line enough EV range for most driving needs, to include, longer distance trips on the motorway.

The electric car also benefits from regenerative braking. Do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower than the claimed range, impacted by a number of factors, to include speed.

The EV offers DC charging capability up to 270 kW (5% to 80%: 23 minutes). Put another way: for every 5 minutes of DC charging, the range available increases by 100 km. For those fortunate enough to have three-phase power supply at home, the EV can be fully charged in 9 hours and 30 minutes.

For the rest of us with single-phase power supply, it will take 13 hours 30 minutes to fully charge the EV. We at e-zoomed encourage charging an electric car overnight, when the tariff rates are cheaper. We also encourage using green energy for EV charging.

In terms of practicality, let’s be honest, you are not buying this EV for its interior cabin space or boot space. Having said that, the four-door interior cabin space is what you would expect from a high performance car, and the boot space on offer is 350 L.

Of course, given the premium price tag, the interior quality, technology and equipment level is very good, to include: Audi pre-sense front, parking system plus, cruise control with speed limiter, reversing camera, lane departure warning and more.

For an additional payment, one can also get the Head-up Display. Also as standard are the: MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch (12.3” virtual cockpit display or the central 10.1” MMI touch display), Audi smartphone interface, Audi phone box with wireless charging etc.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Audi electric car is available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Fast (0-100 km/h: 3.3 seconds)	Expensive. Cheaper EV saloons available in the market
DC charging up to 270 kW	Limited rear-view visibility and rear headroom
Large EV battery and good pure electric range	Small boot

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The All-Electric Audi RS e-tron GT Saloon (credit: Audi)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body Type:	Saloon
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	Yes

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Trim (1 Option)
Audi RS e-tron GT (from Rs 2.05 Crore)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 93.4 kWh
Charging:	270 kW DC charging (5%-80%: 23 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0% – 100%: 9 hrs 30 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1396
Width (mm):	2158
Length (mm):	4989
Wheelbase (mm):	2900
Turning Circle (m):	11.6
Boot Space (L):	350

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RS e-tron GT
EV Battery Capacity:	93.4 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	465 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	21.5
Charging:	270 kW DC charging (5%-80%: 23 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0% – 100%: 9 hrs 30 mins)
Top Speed:	250 km/h
0-100 km/h:	3.3 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	475 (with boost)
Max Power (PS):	646 (with boost)
Torque (Nm):	830
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	4
Doors:	4
Unladen Weight (kg):	2,276
Colours:	8
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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India, like many other countries, is well positioned to benefit from the shift to zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. Road transportation is a major contributor to air pollution (over 30%), choking our towns, cities and villages across India.

Diesel vehicles, in particular, diesel trucks and diesel buses, are significant sources for tailpipe emissions. But given the rise in the standard of living, since liberalisation, the demand for privately owned passenger cars has increased at an unprecedented pace, further worsening the air quality. India has more than 3 crores (30 million) cars releasing tailpipe emissions on its roads!

Though we have seen some improvements in air quality during the ongoing pandemic (as a result of lower vehicle traffic), India’s shift to electric driving will be key in achieving long-term higher air quality.

Of course, apart from EVs, the continued development of green and renewable energy infrastructure will be key in achieving lower long-term air pollution. India has already demonstrated global leadership in regards to large-scale solar and wind projects! Hopefully, India will replicate the success with zero-emission electric vehicles.

Despite recent announcements and support from local and national government agencies in India, the EV market is still at a nascent stage, well, at least in terms of electric cars and electric vans. Two-wheel electric scooters and three-wheel electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) have demonstrated a strong uptake, and India is poised to become a global leader in electric scooters and electric rickshaws (e-tuk).

In fact, the ubiquitous e-rickshaw commands an impressive 83% of the Indian electric vehicle market. India currently has over 15 lakhs (1.5 million) e-rickshaws, with each EV playing a role in reducing tailpipe emissions on our roads in India.

Sales of passenger electric cars is still at an early stage. In FY2021, though the market witnessed a growth of nearly 110% from the previous year, the absolute volume of cars sold was only 5,905 electric cars. Currently there are less that 15 pure electric car models available on sale in India.

Tata Motors, the biggest automotive manufacturer in India has launched the Tata Nexon electric SUV. Mahindra Electric, another leading Indian automotive manufacturer, has also launched a number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), to include, the Mahindra eVerito electric car, Mahindra eSupro electric van and Mahindra e2o Plus compact electric car.

International manufacturers, like UK based MG Motors, have also launched the MG ZS electric SUV in India. Also available are the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV and the Hyundai Kona electric SUV.

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Benefits Of Electric Driving

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The benefits of electric driving are many, with significant advantageous over petrol and diesel internal combustion (ICE) engine cars, for all stakeholders. These benefits include:

• Lower to zero-tailpipe emissions
• Lower running costs
• Lower taxes
• Lower maintenance costs
• Lower noise pollution
• Convenience of charging at home
• Smoother drive
• Instant torque for acceleration
• Lower environmental impact

Below we have highlighted three of our favourite benefits of owning and driving an electric car.

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Improved Air Quality

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or all-electric vehicles do not have tailpipe pollution. In fact, such electric cars do not even have a tailpipe! Zero-emission electric driving has a real and immediate impact on local air quality i.e. improving air quality. While, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have reduced tailpipe pollution compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles.

The sooner we migrate to electric driving in India, the sooner we can improve air quality for all our cities, towns and villages. Lower air pollution will also result in a reduced number of health issues arising from inhaling toxic pollutants.

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Lower Maintenance & Running Costs

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper to maintain and drive. Pure electric cars have far fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The fewer the moving parts, the lower the probability of repair and maintenance. Moreover charging an electric car can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres! A full charge can cost between Rs 100 and Rs 200. Significantly cheaper than filling a tank of petrol or diesel!

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Lower Noise Pollution

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Yes, we in India are far more resilient to noise pollution than those living in the western world. We have certainly got used to horns blaring and engines roaring, day and night. But that does not mean we enjoy or welcome noise pollution. In fact, quite the opposite!

Though much focus has been on the advantageous of ‘air quality’ with an electric car, just as important, is the benefit of lower noise pollution. In fact, pure electric cars are silent, with an inbuilt ‘sound booster’ to increase road safety for pedestrians.

As our cities in India and across the world become densely populated with cars, the significant negative impact on ‘quality of life’ as a result of increased noise pollution from petrol and diesel vehicles, is just as dangerous, as increased air pollution.

Battery-electric cars are a perfect solution in reducing noise pollution and increasing the living standards for us all. Of course, one can only hope that the self inflicted ‘horn blaring’ pollution will also reduce!

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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