There is still a little anxiety in people about getting into a fully electric car, I won’t lie even I had a little. The thoughts of how far will it go, where will I charge it, how long will that take, if I run out of juice what happens next? Hopefully, you’ll read through this article and probably feel different. Your confidence in electric cars may just increase. For a start, I do feel Audi is certainly preparing us and re-adjusting our perceptions and methods of thinking, and for sure driving electric needs it.
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Audi, has kept things a little more understated, coming into the market with a wide range of electric cars under the e-tron name, and they do not deliberately jump into what we believe the future of cars should be. Keeping this understated approach is allowing a gentle but progressive appreciation of what electric motoring really has to offer now, while giving us an idea of the direction cars may take looking forward, and Audi’s electric range of cars most certainly expresses this.
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When jumping into the RS, you find an almost familiar environment. Small advances have been made to the original format and style of the equivalent RS5 or 6 for example. Therefore, all Audi drivers would be able to simply jump in and go pretty much, with little need to find their way around. The seating is near perfect. Audis for me generally always seem to design the furniture of their cars with a slightly fuller figure in mind. Me, well I am quite the slim chap, still, luckily the same waist size as I was when leaving high school, but that said, the seats and steering adjust to suit the shortest to the tallest whether driver or passenger and do hug very nicely. Even the rear seats accommodate even the tallest, with one minor flaw that may affect the taller of you out there. The entrances front and rear are a little on the narrow side, thus getting in and out needs to be done slowly if you’re a 6-footer. Once in, this is a space you’ll love regardless of your height.
Ergonomics has most definitely been high on the design list. The seats we have mentioned with great flexibility and movement. Tune this in with steering wheel adjustment, buttons, and functions, and everything is within comfortable reach. Furthermore, intuitive and clear to use. As briefly highlighted, functions are in familiar places if you are already an Audi owner.  This model came with soft leather and Alcantara vented and/or heated sports seats. Red pentagon-shaped stitching adorns the centre panels of the seats. The same thread holds the Alcantara around the steering wheel. Alcantara also runs along the top of the door cards and near the sills, and a little more to cover the speedometer surround.  Oh and talking of speedo, you can even change the way the speedo looks, with about 4 or 5 different configurations to play with.
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Small thing and expected of most cars today, but got to mention the 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Such a low reverb, thumpy bass, and crisp treble sound that works so well with all types of music. I have quite an eclectic mix on my phone from Andrea Bocelli to bassy motivational house and it handled it all. The unit also works with Carplay, Pairable via Bluetooth and/or cable, with a couple of USB-C connections under the armrest in the centre console.
"Just look at the muscle"
A powerful car needs a powerful look, and the Audi design team didn’t disappoint. They have been flexing their fingers in the studio. Just look at the lean muscle on this thing. As with all Rs models, there needs to be muscle too, but this chap has been dropping the carbs and glutens, targeted the flabby bits, and now has muscle popping. Sharp-looking nose and powerful-looking raise over the wheel arches.Â
It goes without saying that in general electric cars are quick, and the RS is no exception. 560hp will definitely get you and you’re shopping from a to b at lightning speed. And should lighting speed not quite be enough, there is always an extra boost to 640hp and a launch control system. 0-100 in 3 seconds. Now you’re heading back to the future. When using the launch though, it is quite wise to place your head on the headrest. When engaged the power of Zeus propels the car into the next generation, and if your head is not already back against the headrest, well you may need a collar for the strain afterward. All said, I personally like that the launch doesn’t have the aggressive drama many others seem to have, and great for getting rid of those facial lines. It pulls hard yes, but the car pulls straight, seamlessly, and with such a smooth linear delivery of torque.
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The RS has a Quattro system. Now, of course, this is not the same in construction as the Quattro system on regular motors. However, the system is amazing. It still maintains a smooth 4-wheel drive from the two electric motors on the car, that take you around the twisties, corners, and roundabouts like spiderman is under each arch of the car. Aided by the electronics, it doesn’t intrude on the experience. No hopping about like a hot hatch. Clean acceleration too, the electronics again do not intrude too much on the power delivery of the car when in a turn.
Safety is paramount, and Audi has all the tricks to keep you safe on the road. Cruise control is generally expected, though paired up with a lane assist, to keep you in the lane. Start dosing and the car will warn after two corrections. Distance control or forward collision warning also. Set the distance you wish to have between you and the car in front, and the car will keep that. Should someone dart across your nose, then the car will of course brake and distance itself. Then there is the blind spot monitoring. A very clear orange rectangle lights up on the mirrors to warn of any vehicles in your blind spot areas. Useful given the narrow nature of the rear window.
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I have left this bit till last. The charging. Well, charging and living with this car is surprisingly easy. The RS on a full charge from a 22 Kwh charger, generally found around the city and or as fitted maybe at home, will take about 7 hours. This will give you a 672-kilometre range. Of course, that range is dependent on the amount of lead in your shoes. Much like a petrol car, the harder you push it the more juice it drinks. However, as a daily drive, this is more than respectable. Just for thought, how many of you have a performance petrol car that will cover the distance on a tank of fuel?  Charged while you sleep, you have more than enough juice to get you around the city. And here in the UAE, that’s enough to drive from Abu Dhabi to RAK and back again. There are new chargers being scheduled for installation in some places around Dubai and higher kwh between cities also. High kwh basically means less time waiting. But that said a 22kwh at home and you’re covered for any lack of chargers in places you may wish to visit.Â
The best way to think about it is like your phone. Every time you see chargers for your phone or a plug to top it up for power you plug in. The Audi as with any of the world’s rolling power banks sees a point to charge, just plug it in. Every little bit helps, and many places are free.
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Overall then the Audi RS e-tron GT shares an understanding of the direction of motoring, without the need to make a car look like it’s just come from another planet. Keeping things familiar and intuitive. It is powerful and demands your concentration, but definitely not difficult to drive. Moreover, change your perception and attitude to topping up the batteries and there is no reason why you couldn’t use this car as a daily runner and then as a track car at the weekends.
James has a most positive and illuminating view of the world, finding soul and animation in our ever-manufactured global environments.
A traveler by nature, James has grown his professional and diverse career in Supply Chain, Photo-journalism and Digital Marketing management by acquainting himself with different traditions and cultures of more than 35 countries around the world. Capturing memories, creating identities, and gaining great perspectives.
In addition, James takes on the recent challenge of founder and creator to push his internationally recognized freelance and corporate experiences into new and exciting times with the advent of Brand Command. A brand and marketing company recognizing the creative talents of others around the world and placing soul and emotion into the image of its clients.