Audi's Electric e-tron GT Sports Car Is Set for a World Premiere on February 9

Audi has just announced that its production series model of the e-tron GT will be unveiled on February 9. Set to rival the likes of Tesla’s Model S and Porsche’s Taycan Turbo S, the e-tron GT is built on Porsche’s J1 platform and will also be produced on the same production line as the R8. The overall look of the production model will follow the prototype closely with its short overhangs and long wheelbase.

What do know so far is based on the Concept version which uses the same dual-motor drivetrain as the Taycan Turbo S, putting down 589 horsepower, or 637 horsepower in over-boost mode. That particular prototype RS version can sprint to 62 mph in just under 3.5 seconds. Giving fans a teaser, Audi has released a small photoshoot of the RS e-tron GT letting loose on a snowy mountain and has shared an interview with the Head of Audi Design, Marc Lichte, regarding his journey on working on the upcoming electric sports car.

Those interested in learning more about Audi’s new potential flagship can find an excerpt of the interview below. To read the interview in its entirety, head over to Audi’s dedicated page.

Question: Mr. Lichte, the wait will soon be over. Audi will introduce the e-tron GT on February 9. Is the presentation of such a model still exciting even after seven years of being the brand’s Head of Design?
Marc Lichte: The world premiere is a magic moment. That applies to the entire Audi Design team as well as to me personally. The presentation of a new car is the culmination of a development process that usually takes four years. It is a long road that involves a great deal of work, many discussions, and difficult decisions at times. However, in the end, we are all proud to present the result of our joint efforts.

Proud is the keyword here. With your assessment of the show car, you really set the bar high for the e-tron GT. What distinguishes the design of the car?
Lichte: Good design is achieved when a product is aesthetic and functional at the same time, and when it becomes part of a seamless overall experience. The foundation for aesthetics lies in the proportions: short overhangs and a long wheelbase combined with a lean cabin on a powerful body. The e-tron GT features all of the above.

Would it be presumptuous to refer to this car as the new design icon from Audi?
Lichte: Yes, without a doubt. After all, you cannot create a design icon on the drawing board. A car must acquire this reputation on the road – in an overstimulated environment that creates the will to strive for orientation. True design icons have something that is unmistakably clear: For example, it takes only three lines to characterize a VW Beetle or a Porsche 911. They stand for a clear attitude.

And what attitude does Audi want to convey with the e-tron GT?
Lichte: That is definitely “Vorsprung durch Technik” – or to quote our new brand strategy: “Living Progress.” Over the course of our history, certain models have shaped this claim in a special way: The A2 represented ruthless efficiency, the TT stood for formalistic design, and the R8 for uncompromising performance. The question with regard to the e-tron GT is therefore not whether it is a design icon but how exactly it expresses our attitude. In other words, the question is how it reinterprets “Vorsprung durch Technik.”

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