A legacy of speed meets electric ambition
The Audi e-tron GT, first introduced in 2021, was Audi’s first step into the realm of high-performance electric vehicles. But to truly understand the significance of the 2025 RS e-tron GT, one must acknowledge the legacy of Audi’s RS performance division. For decades, the “RennSport” badge has signified the pinnacle of Audi engineering: blistering speed, razor-sharp handling, and a healthy dose of Germanic aggression. Think of iconic models like the RS 2 Avant (the first RS Audi ever), the RS 4, and the RS 6, vehicles that combined practicality with performance that could embarrass dedicated sports cars. Now, that same ethos has been electrified, and the result is a car that aims to not only be fast for an EV but fast, period.
Kyle Edward
More power, more performance, more everything
For 2025, Audi has given the e-tron a substantial overhaul. The new lineup introduces the S e-tron GT, which boasts 670 horsepower and rips to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, quicker than the outgoing RS e-tron GT. Then there’s the updated range-topping RS e-tron GT performance, which turns the dial past eleven. We’re talking headline figures like 912 horsepower (with launch control) and a staggering 0-60 mph time of just 2.4 seconds, making it the quickest accelerating production Audi ever built.
Kyle Edward
Beyond the sheer grunt, there’s a larger, yet lighter, 105 kWh battery pack (up from 93.4 kWh) boosting range (up to 300 miles for the S, 278 for the RS performance), and significantly faster charging speeds, now peaking at 320 kW, capable of a 10-80% charge in about 18 minutes under ideal conditions. Audi has also focused on enhancing driving dynamics with serious hardware upgrades, including a new 2-chamber/2-valve air suspension and an optional active suspension system designed for a more engaging and precise experience.
Kyle Edward
A modern take on a seductive silhouette
The e-tron GT’s design has always been a head-turner, a prime example of the sleek, muscular four-door coupe silhouette that blends grand touring elegance with undeniable sex appeal. You can thank the Audi A7 for really cementing this fastback style within the brand’s modern lineup, proving that four doors didn’t have to mean sacrificing visual drama. The e-tron GT carries that torch beautifully, balancing aerodynamic necessity with pure aesthetic desire.
Kyle Edward
For 2025, Audi has subtly refined the look, giving the RS models a more aggressive edge via unique front and rear fascias and new wheel designs that fill the arches with intent. Audi’s mastery of LED lighting is on full display here, with illumination so crisp and precise that it evokes the clarity of an autumn morning in the Alps. Finishing touches like distinctive B-pillar badging and optional matte carbon roof or forged carbon elements (exclusive to the RS performance) add layers of visual intrigue and lightweight purpose.
Kyle Edward
High-quality cockpit, high price, high expectations
Inside, the e-tron GT delivers with a low seating position and a wrap-around dash that creates a cockpit-like feel, and the materials – supple leather, Alcantara, and meticulously crafted trim – are undeniably premium. For 2025, the RS models get a new flat-top-and-bottom steering wheel that feels great in the hands and looks sharp, complete with handy satellite buttons for drive modes and the “push-to-pass” boost function. However, aside from specific trim options like the available forged carbon, there isn’t a huge amount of differentiation inside to separate the RS from its S sibling.
The 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit and central touchscreen hardware are excellent – crisp, clear, and well-integrated. But the native MMI interface itself feels a touch dated compared to the bleeding edge; thankfully, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and provide the slick interface most drivers will likely default to. Add in the trick panoramic glass roof with its adjustable transparency, and it’s certainly a high-quality, comfortable place to spend serious time. Still, for a car knocking on the door of $200k, you might expect a bit more visual drama or unique flair inside.
Kyle Edward
Under the skin
- Motors: Both the S and RS e-tron GT models receive more powerful electric motors. The rear motor, in particular, has been significantly upgraded with increased copper density in its hairpin windings and a lighter, more compact rotor. This translates to increased power and efficiency.
- Battery: The battery pack has been upgraded to 105 kWh, a 12% increase over the previous 93.4 kWh unit, while its weight has decreased by 25 pounds. This means more range and faster charging.
- Recuperation: Braking recuperation has been increased to 400 kW, allowing for a maximum deceleration value of 0.45 g. Coasting recuperation has also been enhanced, widening the gap between dynamic one-pedal driving and efficient coasting.
- Thermal Management: Audi has implemented a new U-flow cooling architecture and a two-layer cooling plate for the battery pack. This system improves cell temperature homogeneity, which is crucial for maximizing both charging and performance. The cooling of the electric motors, interior, and battery pack can now be controlled more independently.
- Charging: DC fast-charging capability has been increased to 320 kW, allowing the battery pack to charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 18 minutes under ideal conditions. The maximum charging current has also been increased to 400 amps, and up to 1,100 amps can be engaged during Launch Control.
Kyle Edward
Poise and precision
The e-tron GT models benefit from a new air suspension system that replaces the previous setup with a 2-chamber/2-valve design. This provides a better balance between ride comfort and handling performance. A new active suspension is also available, actively managing body movements to keep the chassis level during acceleration and braking, reduce pitch and roll, raise the vehicle for easier entry, and even lean the car into corners. The steering has also been sharpened, with a new, more direct steering ratio available when combined with all-wheel steering.
Kyle Edward
The Audi drive select system offers a range of driving profiles, including the usual efficiency, comfort, and dynamic modes, along with two individually configurable RS-specific modes (RS1 and RS2) for the RS models. The RS e-tron GT performance model also boasts an exclusive “RS performance mode,” designed for track use or particularly demanding roads. This mode optimizes vertical wheel forces, drive torque distribution, and adjusts the characteristics of the anti-slip control, torque vectoring, suspension, aerodynamics, and cooling system. In this mode, the transmission also prioritizes first gear for maximum acceleration.
Beyond ludicrous speed
All this engineering wizardry translates directly to the driving experience. Audi gave me the opportunity to test the RS e-tron GT Performance just outside Las Vegas, climbing over 2,000 feet along twisty mountain roads overlooking the Nevada desert – the perfect place to put this machine through its paces. The standard 2-chamber/2-valve air suspension provides an excellent baseline balance between comfort and control, but the real star is the optional active suspension. My biggest takeaway was just how incredibly planted the car felt at all times. This system actively manages body movements, keeping the chassis remarkably level during hard acceleration and braking, minimizing pitch and roll, and even leaning the car into corners. It’s uncanny how well it controls the mass of this relatively heavy EV (estimated at around 5,250 lbs).
Kyle Edward
Yes, the headline numbers are insane: 912 horsepower and a 0-60 mph sprint in 2.4 seconds put it in hypercar territory. But let’s be honest: Tesla’s Model S Plaid has been hitting similar acceleration figures for a while now, and it’s undoubtedly a key competitor. Where the RS e-tron GT performance truly sets itself apart is in the corners and in the cabin. The sharpened steering (especially with the optional all-wheel steering), the sophisticated torque vectoring, the customizable RS drive modes (including the track-focused RS performance mode), and that active suspension all contribute to handling dynamics that feel precise, engaging, and confidence-inspiring in a way raw acceleration alone can’t replicate. This isn’t just about straight-line speed; it’s about the complete dynamic package, coupled with Audi’s benchmark interior quality and construction.
Pricing reflective of engineering excellence
Exceptional engineering comes at a premium, and the RS e-tron GT performance starts at $167,000. Optional packages like the Forged Carbon package ($8,400) introduce striking forged carbon exterior trim, mirror housings, door sill inlays, and interior inlays. The Dynamic Plus package ($11,000) is geared towards driving enthusiasts, offering ceramic brakes, active damper control suspension, and high-performance summer tires for track-focused capability. Additionally, bespoke RS design packages ($1,900 each) customize interior aesthetics with Dinamica-trimmed surfaces and unique seat stitching colors. Fully equipped models approach $190,000, and while unquestionably impressive, the price tag feels notably steep.
Kyle Edward
Final thoughts
Let’s cut to the chase: the 2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance is a serious piece of engineering. That 2.4-second 0-60 time is just the headline; clever tech like the new U-Flow battery cooling ensures performance is repeatable and charging stays rapid. My time pushing it through the mountains outside Vegas and briefly on track at Speed Vegas confirmed it’s more than just ludicrous speed. Audi has blended that performance with genuine luxury and cutting-edge tech into one incredibly sleek package. It’s undeniably exciting and rewarding to drive, even if it lacks the raw, mechanical soul of a combustion-engined RS car – but that’s not the point here. They’ve successfully translated the RS spirit into the electric era, creating a grand tourer that sets a new benchmark for what a high-performance electric GT can be.
