The stylish and contemporary Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront set the stage for the launch of six new all-electric Audi models. The reimagined structure, carved out and splendidly represented, was the perfect setting for the address by Audi South Africa head, Sasha Sauer, and Audi Global Senior VP, Henrik Wenders as they dived into the ideology behind Audi's approach to electric mobility.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Audi e-tron GT
Their message was clear; future is an attitude. It was, however, difficult to focus on their message as outside, in the forecourt of the Zeitz, sat a slew of the latest offerings from Audi, not a single one powered by an internal combustion engine. Presented to us, for a brief 10-minute test drive on the roads in and around the V&A Waterfront, were Audi's latest entrants into the local electric vehicle market.
The e-tron range
Audi e-tron 55
While there were technically 6 models launched on the night, the lineup consists of two core designs. For practical, everyday use there's the e-tron SUV in both regular and sportback flavour. Three e-tron 55 models are on offer in Advanced, S-Line, and First Edition variations while you have a choice of two Sportback e-trons; the 55 Sportback S-Line and the e-tron S Sportback.
We've sampled the Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro S-Line and found it to be a fantastic offering with ample range and execution that doesn't stray too far from the Audi Q recipe. This will make it easier for current Aud Q owners to transition to a full-electric model without major disruptions to what they know and love. This is an opposing approach to those taken by the competition who have capitalized on the flexible EV architecture to extract maximum use of the flexibility granted by it. Time will tell which approach works best.
Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT
For those looking for a little extra spice, a little something special, there's the Audi e-tron GT and the RS e-tron GT. This 4-door sedan is the more traditional approach that lovers of the sedan shape will fawn over. Sharing a platform with the Porsche Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT shares 40% of its architecture with the Taycan and offers executive sedan customers a sporty and stylish alternative to the electric SUVs that have been presented so far.
Attractive styling is only part of the package and the e-tron GT produces 350 kW of power with 630 Nm but this is overshadowed by the supercar-like performance of the RS e-tron GT that churns out a colossal 440 kW and 830 Nm, making the later good for a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of only 3.3-seconds. This is what you get underfoot at all times but for a brief moment, an overboost function can be accessed to give you an additional spurt of power. The overboost feature bumps the power output to 390 kW and 475 kW respectively.
On the night I was able to quickly sample the e-tron GT and being a fan of sedans myself, I revelled in the opportunity to get to grips with this EV offering, having previously been unable to drive the Porsche Taycan (the only other EV sedan offering locally at the moment). A low slung driving position and lengthy proportions immediately lend itself to spirited driving and the levels of grip provided by the wide tyres and quattro drivetrain help ensure that the e-tron GT behaves as a sports car should.
Mash the throttle (we're going to have to find another word for it) and there's the familiar EV rush of power followed by a noticeable shove as overboost is activated. Brisk is not the word you would use to describe the acceleration - it's downright fast. And this isn't even the RS version.
Prices
The entire range, including the limited edition First Edition, is covered by a five year/100,000km Audi Freeway Maintenance Plan and an 8 year/160,000 km battery warranty.
| Model | Price |
| Audi e-tron 55 First Edition | R1 745 000 |
| Audi e-tron 55 advanced | R1 990 000 |
| Audi e-tron 55 S line | R2 045 000 |
| Audi e-tron 55 Sportback S line | R2 115 000 |
| Audi e-tron S Sportback | R2 425 000 |
| Audi e-tron GT | R2 715 000 |
| Audi RS e-tron GT | R3 300 000 |
