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1,000 miles in the new Audi RS e-tron GT, on mountain passes, the autobahn and the race track
Mar 29, 2025
[Ad] The new Audi RS e-tron GT Performance is a 912bhp grand tourer at the forefront of EV technology, but what sort of car is it? evo Contributing Editor Adam Towler embarks upon a 1,000 mile road trip across Europe, from mountain pass to race track, to discover its true soul.
Discover the New RS e-tron GT performance https://bit.ly/4i1hNT1
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0:00
I feel like I'm on top of the world. It's crazy
0:30
This is the home of Audi Sport in Germany, and Audi recently launched a new RS model
0:43
It's this, the RS-Eatron GT performance. It has 912 brake horsepower. 912
0:54
Unsurprisingly, it's quite fast. Quite fast in a nought-62-mile. an hour in around two and a half seconds fast
1:06
So the RS ETRON GT is fabulously fast. That much is obvious
1:12
But what's it really like to live with over the course of a typical Evo-style 1,000-mile road trip
1:19
Is it a true Grand Tourer? Can it morph into a convincing sports car on an alpine mountain road
1:26
How about on a circuit? And most of all, is it a car with a car
1:29
soul with personality. I think there's only one way to find out
1:35
But before that, let's go and talk to the man that knows this car better than most
1:41
That man is Stefan Bamberger. He is Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport
1:46
So let's hear what he has to say on the development of this new model and what makes, in his eyes, this a true Audi RS
1:55
One of the key qualities of an R.S. car. Many people think it's a big secret
2:02
It's not such a big secret. It's when you walk to your car, you have to see it
2:07
It's an R.S. That's the most important thing. And then the next step is going to the car, open the door, sit into the car, starting the engine
2:14
For sure, this is an electric car. But the starting process of a car is a quite important thing
2:19
How the car sounds, how the car feels, how the car and the engine vibrates is really, really important
2:25
the accelerating and the driving dynamic itself. It has to always be precise, it has to always be safe
2:31
but it has to always be fun. The sound gives you the last sense in orientation
2:36
which kind of driving situation you are moving the car. So for us, the sound will always be important
2:43
It doesn't matter whether it's a combustion engine or electric car. All the RS customers like the car as a daily driver
2:52
and they also enjoy it to be able to be able. to be able to drive fares with the car
2:57
So that's a secret behind all the RS models. Okay, so we hit a bit of a snag
3:07
because, well, the weather's not looking that great and we have one 912 brake horse power RS ETRon GT
3:15
on summer tires. And there's a possibility of about 40 centimeters of snow
3:20
So lots of phone calls going on to try and get a set of winter
3:24
tyres, who would have thought it, but there are no winter tires it would appear for an
3:28
RSE-E-T-T performance in the whole of southern Germany. That is until, of course, you know the boss man, and he makes one phone call, and then amazingly
3:37
there's a set of wheels with winter tyres winding their way to us right now
3:47
Our GT has disappeared for a moment to have its winter tyres fitted, so while we're waiting
3:52
around, why don't we go through here? and have a look at where they build the car. It's after hours, everybody's gone home
4:00
Follow me. Okay, so the road trip for real starts now
4:33
We pulled onto the autobahn and obviously still in comfort mode. I hadn't messed about with anything on the car
4:40
Slightly squeezed the throttle and we appeared to have reached about 140 mile an hour. I mean it was absolutely absurd
4:46
I just don't know where to begin with that level of performance
4:51
As a GT car, I think that's my first impression. is obviously it's very quiet
4:58
Road noise seems quite low. I can hear the spray, but wind noise, not so much
5:04
It's a very, very comfortable place to be. Well, I think we've got about five hours now
5:09
We've got to get around Stuttgart first. We'll have to recharge at some point
5:14
It's showing about, what is it, it's 308 kilometres of range. We'll see how that goes
5:21
It's time for our first charging stop, and it's a routine that will become familiar as the trip progresses
5:27
We're using IONETI Chargers and enjoying their 350 kilowatts of grunt, planning our route around their locations
5:36
Put simply, we find that to hike the RS ETRon GT's battery charge up from around 10% to 80% takes as little as 20 minutes
5:53
912 brake horse path narrow mountain road what's this going to be like
6:23
First thing what mode shall I put it in Well you know what I going to put it straight into performance mode kind of a maximum attack And the reason ESP Sport the reason I going to do that is because the roads are so smooth
6:46
They are so smooth with that really fine grain you get in countries like Austria
6:52
Now, I've driven up this road earlier, so my mind is full of thoughts
6:59
Now obviously the first one is 912 brake calls power is a lot
7:06
It's a lot, it's an awful lot. My word, you just flex your toe and it shrinks time and space
7:15
And I'm not sure when the point comes that you actually get used to it, if at all
7:21
It does slightly tail off, obviously, at higher speeds, as is the norm with an EV
7:27
but that initial thrust is just outrageous. As all the views, I have to concentrate here
7:36
because there's some big stops. And sheet ice as well. That's the thing
7:42
You've got to be careful with the throttle, and it is a different kind of driving
7:48
It puts a lot of emphasis on the throttle, actually. You have to meter it out
7:55
Now, when you first drive this car, I'm sure probably most people will want to just get full beams
8:01
And you feel that 900 plus brake horsepower and, of course, it's spectacular
8:06
But you soon learn that you can't use all of it all the time, nowhere near
8:13
And the modulation of it is absolutely crucial. Now, the good news is that the way that's calibrated is actually quite progressive
8:25
It's got this sort of robotic, sci-fi, techy sort of sound when you're in the sportier modes
8:38
I think without the sound it would just be weird. The human just needs something to base their impression of speed on
8:46
It's a very precise sort of drive. And this new steering setup they've got, I mean, it has made a big difference to the car
8:54
The car feels a lot more precise and wieldy than it ever did
8:59
I think that's genuinely a really good improvement. Body control is great
9:05
And that active suspension setup, I mean, it's not just a gimmick
9:09
You can tell it does really resist the pitch from strong braking and strong acceleration
9:18
The car stays very flat. As it does in the corners as well, I like this driving position
9:24
in this car. It just feels really right. You've got the B pillar here, you're just tucked in
9:31
And of course with these cars you sit low, don't you? I mean that's part of the architecture of the car. You do sit really low
9:38
Driving is great. Steering wheel, nice Alcantara rim. It feels good. It feels nice
9:44
I suppose the question is, is it fun? I mean, it's exciting. It's exciting. Is it enough for a very fast
9:54
big GT car, yes it is. Yes, it is. I think I'm discovering its personality
10:00
It does have a personality. I think I am discovering its soul
10:04
I'm in awe of its capabilities in certain areas. And I think it's a very clever thing
10:24
So we've arrived at Audi Centre Fortsime this morning to get the wheels and tyres
10:36
change back over. Mr Bamberger would like his winter's back and we want to experience the car
10:42
on the wheels and tyres that it came with these P0s. So that's going to happen in the workshop now
10:48
and we should be back on the road very soon. The performance of the RS ETRon GT on the autobahn is staggering
11:05
Now I never really thought of this kind of high-end EV as being a real autobahn car, but the RS
11:14
it's got so much power instantly. I mean, here we are, doing 170 kilometres an hour
11:20
But that's now 200km. That's now 200 kilometres an hour. I'm going to hit the boost button just for maximum effect
11:29
We've got 10 seconds of boost. Three, two, one. Go, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200
11:36
210, 210. It's a level of performance in this particular environment. I don't think I've ever really experienced before
11:48
Even some kind of heavy hitters like the M5s and E60, 3 AMGs and R6
11:53
Well, you certainly don't get that instant kick, of course, because with a car like this
11:58
you're getting everything instantly. Something to make progress in this environment. I cannot think of anything that can just rinse past traffic with the same sort of authority
12:10
It's completely mind-blowing. The way it just puts on speed is outrageous
12:17
That's 150 mile an hour. Two-late autobahn is always a little bit more, how can we put it, focuses the mind and the three-lane stuff
12:32
Having said that, though, with this car, with these brakes on this particular version, the big ceramics
12:38
they really do pull the speed down quickly and that does give you quite a bit of reassurance and you need it
12:42
because the car puts on speed so quickly. Anyway, we're on our way to the Nuremberg Ring and certainly one of my favourite places in the world
12:56
I'm sure the same goes to many of you watching this as well. We're just going to have a little mosey around
13:03
Sometimes it's nice to just go there and soak up the atmosphere. We might see some things going around
13:09
Definitely good a call in at the petrol station As they say it has to be done doesn it
13:27
Well, we've arrived here. I don't think I need to say where this is I'm sure you can guess
13:34
It's been a long day of driving. We've made our way up through southwestern Germany
13:38
after our impromptu tyre exchange this morning. We've hit the speed limiter more times than I can remember on the autobahn
13:47
and we've also had to stop, I think, twice for charging as well. But look, personally, I cannot drive through this part of Germany without stopping here
13:56
There's nothing going on. I mean, it's getting dark now. There's nothing on the track. It's got a very strange, eerie atmosphere
14:03
But I think this place remains one of the ultimate kind of pilgrimages for
14:08
car enthusiasts that are left in this world. And you just have to come here
14:13
You've got to soak up the atmosphere and feel what this place is all about
14:17
For Audi, it has a very important history, really. I mean, if you go back to the 1930s and the German Grand Prix
14:25
Hand Stux Senior won the race in 1934, Bern Rosemeyer was successful at the wheel of an auto union in both 1936 and 1937
14:35
And in more recent times, well, in the N-24, our race, race, Audi has won seven times in the last 20 odd years since those sort of GT3 rules came into being with R8 based cars
14:49
So it's a special place, we'll have a drive around tomorrow, see a few things, but for now I think it's time just to relax after a long and enjoyable days driving
15:08
Right, we've just pulled out of the surfaces. We're only about, I think, just about five minutes from the Belgian border
15:16
We've just had another charge, another one of these Ionity 350 kilowatt charges
15:22
I think this car charges at about 320 kilowatts. So we rocked up with about 30-something percent charge
15:30
And by the time we've had yet another box of Schnitzel, we have got 80% charge
15:36
And you know what? That actually works fine. I mean, it's quite easy to fit that into your journey
15:54
So here we are on the familiar surroundings of the shuttle somewhere under the English Channel
16:00
It's been a long day today, a lot of miles. We started at the Nerva Grinks. It was wet, it was misty, it was foggy, it was foul, it still felt great to be there
16:08
And then we had a rather less eventful drive through Belgium in pretty grey, miserable conditions
16:14
But you know what, actually, RST ETR GT is in its element on those sorts of journeys
16:21
It's got GT in the name and it really is a good GT car. It's quiet, it's really refined, it's comfortable and I have to say special mention to those seats
16:31
They're really good as well. Now, when I think back over the last few days and all the miles we've done
16:36
I think perhaps the journey that stands out the most for me was the journey from Germany
16:41
through to Austria on the Monday night. Now that was in terrible conditions, but we were able to keep a really good speed up on the
16:48
Autobahn and then when we got into Austria it was late. It was about one or two degrees
16:53
It was really slippery. The four-wheel drive traction and sort of stability of this car made that journey, well
17:00
what can I say it, just sort of ate it and swallowed it whole. It was really impressive
17:04
But I think most of all when I think about this car, I do think about that extraordinary power output
17:10
And you know what, despite having a lot of experience of it now, you never really get used to it
17:16
Chalken of power, once we've got out of here, our next stop is Thruxton Race Circuit
17:22
where we'll see what 912 brake horsepower on a circuit really feels like
17:33
We've made it to Thruxton. A real staple of the British national racing scene
17:38
In fact, the self-proclaimed fastest circuit in the UK. For me, it always makes me think of great British touring car championship races
17:46
including with this lot back in 96 with their A4 quadrope. Now, while we've been away, the weather in the UK has changed significantly
17:56
It's a beautiful day, but temperatures are hovering around about zero degrees
18:01
In fact, there's a lump of ice I just picked up off the circuit
18:04
Nevertheless, it's a circuit that we've got all to ourselves and we've got Quattro 4 wheel drive
18:10
And if it thaws out a little bit more with the sun after lunch, maybe we'll try and set a benchmark time for the quickest EV lap at Thruxton
18:34
Right, what have we got here? Already got it set up in performance mode
18:41
Got my RS monitor on the screen. Seats all right, let's go
18:45
Thruxton, here we come. Campbell Cobbysgrave. Breaking a straight line
18:55
Keep looking through. That turns out so nicely. Okay, get that one over
19:04
Get the exit, get it drift out, get on the power. Whoa
19:10
The power is so strong. Wow. Wow. Okay. That focuses the mind
19:20
Right, the dark tarmac. Here we go. That's Goodwood. Well, just like Goodwood, that's quite senior
19:29
Let it drift out. Here we go, let it drift out. Then try and fight it
19:33
Right, here we go. Now the mighty church. The first lab get it turned in
19:41
There we go. Missions of all those 90s super tourers hopping a wheel A straight line braking Here we go Clubs chicane Now this is where it feels really slippery Not much confidence in the braking
19:55
Right, I'm getting it turned in. Oh, I love the way it changes direction
19:59
The rotation there is really good. Straight, hard on the power. Lining up for Allard
20:05
Can I just relooks that straight? Oh my, what? Oh. A third boy building
20:14
a wide building get it back round breaking the straight line hold of the brakes
20:21
are holding up nicely feels really rear drive coming out of there but let it go
20:26
right out to that green curve there we go that's a bit matter yeah that's better
20:29
there's a little bit more on the table but that's get a bit better tell you what for a
20:35
big GT car standing up well right Should you be able to do that in an RSE-Tron GT
20:54
I don't know. It's a lot of fun though. I mean there's a fair amount of mass on the move there, but
21:01
once you get into a groove with it, yeah, you can build a rapport with it
21:06
Well, I'll tell you what, I don't think it's going to get any warmer or the track any drier today
21:12
So I think we might as well come in, try and set a time
21:20
benchmark at least. Let's go back to the pits. Now for reasons that I won't bore you with
21:29
of a tedious nature, by the time I drive out of the pit lane
21:33
it's getting dark, the ambient temperature is down to about two degrees
21:38
and there isn't much in the way of tyres left, particularly on the left-hand side of the car
21:44
Anyway, that's just a lot of excuses, isn't it? We haven't come this far to now not set a time
21:51
So join me on a slightly surreal quick clap of Thruxton Circuit
21:56
To you watching, I'm sure it seems oddly silent, almost maybe serene
22:03
To me, feeling the weight balance shifting, the grip ebb and flowing
22:07
all that power just to toes flex away and trying to judge entry
22:11
speed correctly without much in the way of sensory information. I assure you it was really quite exciting
23:55
To give that lap time some necessary context, it's just two seconds off the pole time when the UK Audi TT Cup visited Thruxton recently and their pure race cars running slick tyres
24:16
What was the time? 126.7. Oh, that's not bad. I'll take that
24:24
I'll tell you that. Wow, yeah. Well I think that's pretty amazing really, a car that's taken across Europe
24:32
Been a great GT car. We've come here. I haven't changed your tyres. I haven't done anything
24:38
Set a lap time like that. I think that's very impressive. All those miles, memories, moments. It feels like an eternity since I've clambered into the RS-E-Tron GT on a
24:54
dark, rainy night nearly a week ago and set the navs destination for a mountain road in Austria
25:02
During that time the car has been a fascinating companion, a shockingly fast yet superbly refined
25:08
GT, a big coupe able to hold its own on a great road and a surprisingly rapid car on a circuit
25:17
Then there's been the experience of charging on a long distance trip for me for the first time
25:23
not without its frustrations granted, but when the infrastructure is there, well, surprisingly easy too
25:30
After all of that, I do feel something of an emotional connection with it, regardless of it being an EV
25:37
As ever, after a proper road trip, the RSE-E-T-T-and-I and now buddies, the Bond forged as usual through shared miles
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