When in Germany you want to enhance the qualities of a new car, it is always mentioned that the tests took place on the north ring (Nordschleife) of the Nürburgring, a really demanding circuit, which is 22.834 kilometers long, with 172 curves of which 84 on the right and 88 on the left. This is what Jackie Stewart defined in 1960 - alluding to the surrounding woods - green hell. For the Italian debut of the new Audi RS e-Tron GT, the 646 hp 100% electric super sports car, an open road route was chosen and 'calibrated' on the autonomy of the 93 kW battery approved for 488 km, which has no nothing to envy compared to the Nordschleife, especially for the difficulties in maintaining high averages. This is the case of the first stage,the one with the departure from Milan Piazza Duomo to Milan Piazza Corvetto, a place - for those unfamiliar with the Lombard capital - which is identified with the start of the Autostrada del Sole. A journey of about 7 km, which in normal times ( but what are they?) can be traveled in 15-20 minutes but which, thanks to the traffic of the reopening of schools and the invasion of vans on the last mile, has put the car and driver to the test in a continuous stop & go and, given the 'racing' setting of this splendid 1 meter 41 high four-door coupe, with the concern of not being seen from the cabin of the tallest vehicles or not being 'heard' by pedestrians and cyclists. However, it is an opportunity to appreciate the comfort of the driver's seat, the position of the various controls, the functionality of an infotainment system which,although hyper-complete, it is always easy to operate. In the city, the Audi RS e-Tron GT really travels with a handful of electrons, and indeed the continuous braking increases the available range at some point.
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AUDI RS e-TRON GT
Like every Audi, the RS e-Tron GT is always connected to the network and this offers the guarantee of up-to-date traffic information through MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. Infotainment, Audi Connect and ADAS services which are at the top for usability and safety have been promoted with flying colors. Once you have taken the A1 towards Parma, here is the second tough (indeed very tough) test to overcome: compliance with the speed limits. Traveling at 140 km / h - just over the real 130 - behind the wheel of a car that is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.3 seconds and above all from 0 to 200 km / h in 10.9 seconds, and which reaches its maximum self-limited speed at 250 km / h in breath, imposes an iron will. But the transgression is not covered by the test, and so (cruise control on position 140 inserted) theAudi RS e-Tron GT highlights all the advantages of electric propulsion on this stretch of motorway, with a high quality of life on board and the almost total absence of noise. It should be remembered that in situations like this there remains the possibility - despite the 'saving' setting of the Drive Select - of being able to sink your foot on the accelerator if anything should serve to get out of the way in an overtaking, and then return to the area of legality. And the beauty of having set the speed to 140 per hour is that electricity consumption remains very low, especially if you learn to be 'light' on the accelerator because - as in cars with large petrol engines - a very small difference is enough. of pressure to reduce energy waste.
Everything changes, indeed it is revolutionized, as soon as you leave the E33, the Autostrada della Cisa, and take the SS62, that is the real Cisa, 'our' Nurburgring open to all road users. This strip of asphalt, loved by motorcyclists, runs from Berceto to Pontremoli and is 29.2 kilometers long, with a continuous alternation of ups and downs, curves, counter-curves and short straights. La Cisa is a fantastic gym for those who know the difference between driving and piloting. And it is obviously the ideal terrain for evaluating the dynamic qualities of the Audi RS e-Tron GT. On this track what counts are the 830 Nm delivered by the two electric motors and, above all, from the fact that this thrust is already available at a very low rotation speed. So, if you need to overtake, Audi's new road supercar takes powerful shots,with always impeccable traction thanks to the Quattro electric system which is based on the action of two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, one at each axle, assisted by a two-speed transmission. The electric Quattro drive adjusts the distribution of thrust between the axles in a fully variable way, with a speed that is 5 times faster than a mechanical system. Dynamic performance is enhanced by the adaptive triple chamber air suspension and electronic rear differential lock. It goes without saying that the impressive thrust in acceleration is matched by the great effectiveness of the braking system, which uses discs coated with tungsten carbide.assisted by a two-speed transmission. The electric Quattro drive adjusts the distribution of thrust between the axles in a fully variable way, with a speed that is 5 times faster than a mechanical system. Dynamic performance is enhanced by the adaptive triple chamber air suspension and electronic rear differential lock. It goes without saying that the impressive thrust in acceleration is matched by the great effectiveness of the braking system, which uses discs coated with tungsten carbide.assisted by a two-speed transmission. The electric Quattro drive adjusts the distribution of thrust between the axles in a fully variable way, with a speed that is 5 times faster than a mechanical system. Dynamic performance is enhanced by the adaptive triple chamber air suspension and electronic rear differential lock. It goes without saying that the impressive thrust in acceleration is matched by the great effectiveness of the braking system, which uses discs coated with tungsten carbide.Dynamic performance is enhanced by the adaptive triple chamber air suspension and electronic rear differential lock. It goes without saying that the impressive thrust in acceleration is matched by the great effectiveness of the braking system, which uses discs coated with tungsten carbide.Dynamic performance is enhanced by the adaptive triple chamber air suspension and electronic rear differential lock. It goes without saying that the impressive thrust in acceleration is matched by the great effectiveness of the braking system, which uses discs coated with tungsten carbide.
The Audi RS e-Tron GT also overcomes the difficulties of Cisa - including local drivers - and returns to the motorway for the final stage towards Forte dei Marmi. The overall travel time is consistent with compliance with the limits and with 'heavy' traffic in Milan and in other sections. But what is most surprising is the residual autonomy, always high and constantly verifiable - through the MMI plus navigation - in relation to the destination and the area reachable with the charge present. Thus the historic sign of La Capannina takes shape in front of the Audi RS e-tron GT with over 70 km still available. An excellent result if you think about the great power available (and used) and the non-optimal conditions encountered on the course.If you have to face a longer journey - thanks to the e-Tron Trip Planner - you can instantly check how many top-ups are needed to reach a destination. The system preconditions the battery by itself in anticipation of the 'refueling' at 800 Volts in direct current with powers up to 270 kW. It is thus possible to regenerate 100 km of autonomy in 5 minutes or recharge 80% of the energy in less than 23 minutes.It is thus possible to regenerate 100 km of autonomy in 5 minutes or recharge 80% of the energy in less than 23 minutes.It is thus possible to regenerate 100 km of autonomy in 5 minutes or recharge 80% of the energy in less than 23 minutes.
