AUDI RS E TRON PATCH

The little audio touchpad on the right side of the console, however, is something I don't think I'd ever get used to or actually use, especially when there's a scroll wheel for volume and two buttons to move through audio tracks within easy reach of one's right thumb on the steering wheel. The sliding gear selector on the center console is kind of weird the first few times you use it, but once you've got the muscle memory down, it's a cinch. It's a little busy, but all the switchgear and climate controls are easy to locate and operate. Current recommendation: Nothing drowns out gimmicky piped in Sport Sound like Canadian pop-punk.Īural preferences aside, the E-Tron GT's interior is typical Audi fare. Then again, I also like blasting my tunes over a bangin' stereo. It's a personal preference, I know, but I love the pleasant serenity of a hushed EV interior.

But I do wish you could turn that sound off completely - even in its quietest setting, you'll always hear that noise. The E-Tron Sport Sound piped into the cabin doesn't feel out of place in Dynamic mode, with a low-end growl reverberating in the seats to nicely accompany the futuristic electro-whirrs from the electric powertrain. You can opt for red leather, or go totally leather-free. Conversely, the RS E-Tron GT manages better driving range: The EPA says you'll get 232 miles per charge, compared to the Taycan Turbo's 201. The Porsche also feels ever so slightly more buttoned-up while pushing hard, though I suppose that could also be a demerit if you err on the side of hooliganism. Crucially, the Taycan's steering is a lot better, with a more progressive buildup of weight and a whole hell of a lot more feedback. Is it exactly like the Taycan? Not quite.

AUDI RS E TRON PATCH

Even on the occasional wet patch of pavement, the RS E-Tron remains wholly unflappable. The E-Tron GT's optional rear-wheel steering virtually shortens the wheelbase, just like it does in Audi's RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback, and this thing dives into corners with the fluidity and precision of a maestro's baton. The wide stance and ultralow center of gravity keeps this thing flat as pancake through hairpin turns, the torque-vectoring tech shuffling power left and right, getting all that instant thrust down to the tires with the most grip. Putting the RS E-Tron GT in Dynamic mode, the dampers stiffen as the air suspension hunkers down and the power delivery gets more aggressive. This car is more exciting to drive than any other new EV - aside from the Taycan, anyway.

But along some of my favorite roads draped across the Santa Monica Mountains, the E-Tron GT absolutely shines. Outright quickness is part and parcel of the EV experience, and Audi is far from the most impressive in this regard (hello, Tesla).

Audi rs e tron