In the electrified arena of high-performance sedans, the 2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance storms onto the scene with a staggering 912 horsepower, a redesigned suspension, and a refined aesthetic that makes it a formidable contender against the Tesla Model S Plaid, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, and Lucid Air Sapphire. Launched as part of a comprehensive mid-cycle refresh for Audi’s flagship electric sedan, the RS e-tron GT Performance is not just the most powerful Audi ever—it’s a statement of intent. After a first drive in Las Vegas, Nevada, encompassing city streets, twisty rural roads, and a short track session, it’s clear this EV super sedan blends blistering speed, daily-driver comfort, and grand-tourer poise like few others. Forget Plaid; Audi’s RS e-tron GT arrives swinging, ready to redefine the luxury performance EV landscape in 2025. This professional review explores its design, performance, technology, and real-world appeal, drawing from firsthand impressions and industry insights.
A Bold Evolution of Audi’s Electric Flagship
Since its debut in 2021, the Audi e-tron GT has been a striking alternative to the Porsche Taycan, sharing the Volkswagen Group’s J1 platform but wrapped in Audi’s signature blend of elegance and aggression. The 2025 refresh elevates the RS e-tron GT Performance to new heights, positioning it as the halo of Audi’s EV lineup. With a starting price of $168,295 (climbing to nearly $200,000 with options), it’s a premium proposition, but one that delivers supercar thrills in a four-door package.
Posts on X capture the buzz: “The RS e-tron GT is BACK! 925hp & 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds!” exclaims @carwowuk, while @AsifHus80321718 calls it “the Q-Ship GOAT” for its understated yet ferocious nature. MotorTrend hails it as a “912-hp crowbar between you and Porsche,” emphasizing its ability to challenge the Taycan’s dominance. InsideEVs notes its “warp-speed” acceleration, claiming it induces “tunnel vision” from the jump. With such hype, the RS e-tron GT Performance promises to blend Audi’s refined luxury with mind-bending performance. Let’s dive into what makes it tick.
Design: Subtle Refinement, Striking Presence
Exterior Styling
The 2025 RS e-tron GT Performance retains the sleek, low-slung silhouette that Motor1 calls “the best-looking EV on the market, bar none”. Subtle updates enhance its aggression without reinventing the formula. The front grille adopts a cleaner, three-dimensional honeycomb structure, while larger air intakes improve cooling for the 105-kWh battery. At the rear, a racier diffuser with vertical red reflectors—a new Audi Sport signature—adds a motorsport-inspired flair. Optional forged carbon-fiber elements on the diffuser, side skirts, and mirrors create a “striking but messy” look, per Edmunds, catering to buyers seeking a bolder aesthetic.
The RS Performance trim introduces an exclusive Bedford Green paint and a matte carbon roof, alongside nine other hues like Ascari Blue and Mythos Black. New 21-inch AVUS-inspired wheels, echoing a 1991 Audi concept, are finished in dark matte for a menacing stance. With a drag coefficient optimized for efficiency, the RS e-tron GT balances form and function, looking “sleeker than a French disco” while maximizing range. Compared to the Tesla Model S Plaid’s dated design, the Audi’s sculpted lines and purposeful stance exude modern sophistication.
Interior and Practicality
Inside, the RS e-tron GT Performance is a showcase of Audi’s craftsmanship, with premium materials and tight panel fits reassuring buyers of its $168,000 price tag. The cabin retains the dual-display setup: a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen, both intuitive and responsive. A new steering wheel shortcut button summons the RS menu, allowing quick adjustments to drive modes (Comfort, RS, Eco, Dynamic). The optional Full Leather Interior package adds massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, plus a heated steering wheel, elevating the luxury quotient.
However, practicality takes a hit. The 366-liter rear trunk and 85-liter frunk are modest compared to the Lucid Air’s 627 liters combined. Rear headroom is tight for tall passengers due to the sloping roofline, and the center rear seat is cramped. Carwow notes that accessing the rear requires “a bit of a contortionist act,” making it less family-friendly than the Model S. Still, the four-door layout and high-definition 3D parking cameras enhance urban usability, aided by standard rear-wheel steering.
Performance: Supercar Speed, Grand-Tourer Poise
Powertrain and Acceleration
The RS e-tron GT Performance is Audi’s most powerful production car ever, boasting 912 hp (680 kW) in Launch Control mode, up from 637 hp in the 2024 model. A new rear permanent-magnet synchronous motor, 22 pounds lighter and with increased copper density, pairs with a 236-hp front motor for quattro all-wheel drive. The result? A 0–60 mph sprint in 2.4 seconds (or 2.1 seconds on track, per InsideEVs) and a top speed of 155 mph. Kelley Blue Book suggests these figures are conservative, with test runs feeling “a little quicker”.
Engaging Boost mode via a red steering wheel button unleashes the full 912 hp for 10-second bursts, delivering “eyeball-popping” g-forces that Edmunds warns can “terrify passengers” if unannounced. Robb Report describes the acceleration as “rocket-like,” yet the 5,137-lb sedan remains composed, avoiding the “video game-like” feel of some EVs. Compared to the Model S Plaid’s 1,020 hp and 1.99-second 0–60 mph, the Audi’s thrust is slightly less brutal but more refined, with linear power delivery and no transmission lag.
Handling and Ride
The RS e-tron GT’s handling is a revelation, thanks to a new two-chamber, two-valve air suspension (standard) and an optional $11,000 Dynamic Plus package with active suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes. MotorTrend praises the active suspension for “soaking up bumps” at speed, though low-speed jiggles from 21-inch wheels persist. Autocar notes a “well-engineered” feel, with precise steering (2.5 turns lock-to-lock) and a low center of gravity, though it lacks the Taycan’s hydraulic Active Ride Control for ultimate agility.
On twisty Nevada roads, the RS e-tron GT feels “lithe” despite its 2.3-tonne weight, darting through corners with “remarkable grip,” per Motor1. Electrek highlights the quattro system’s drift capability, with Chief Technical Engineer Stephan Reil confirming it can “do donuts” and engage in “high-performance hijinks”. The brakes, upgraded with 10-piston calipers and optional ceramic discs, feel “natural, not numb,” per Kelley Blue Book. Compared to the Plaid’s floaty handling, the Audi’s poise and feedback make it a driver’s car, though it’s softer than the track-focused Taycan Turbo GT.
Technology: Fast-Charging, Future-Ready
Battery and Range
The 2025 RS e-tron GT Performance features a 105-kWh battery (97 kWh usable), up from 93.4 kWh, with optimized cooling and a 12% capacity increase. The EPA-estimated range is 278 miles, a 29-mile improvement over the 2024 model, though it trails the S e-tron GT’s 300 miles due to higher power demands. Real-world tests suggest 300+ miles in summer, dropping to 250–275 miles in winter. Top Gear reports 3.0 miles per kWh efficiency, competitive but not class-leading.
The 800-volt architecture supports 320-kW DC fast charging, achieving a 10–80% charge in 18 minutes on high-power chargers. Peak regenerative braking is now 400 kW, up from 290 kW, recapturing more energy during deceleration. Electrek praises the “incredible stopping power” of the 400-kW regen, though one-pedal driving isn’t available, as regen disengages just before a stop. Compared to the Model S Plaid’s 348-mile range, the Audi’s charging speed and regen efficiency make it a stronger road-trip companion.
Infotainment and ADAS
The MMI touchscreen and digital cluster are “easy to navigate,” with new battery and charging readouts enhancing usability. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates ensure future-proofing, though Electrek notes minor infotainment glitches in prototypes. The optional panoramic glass roof with dimmable smart glass adds a futuristic touch.
Audi’s Drive Select system offers five modes (Efficiency, Comfort, Dynamic, Auto, Individual), with Auto adept at adapting to road conditions. The standard DreamDrive suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring, with Level 3 hands-off driving planned for DreamDrive 2 Pro using Nvidia Orin-X processors. Car and Driver highlights the remote self-parking assist, controllable via smartphone. Safety features like forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking are standard, though NHTSA and IIHS crash-test ratings are pending.
Practicality and Value
Comfort and Usability
The RS e-tron GT excels as a daily driver, offering a “smooth, refined” ride in Comfort mode and a “quiet, comfortable” cabin, per Electrek. Robb Report praises its “tastefully appointed interior” and “solid feel,” ideal for long journeys. However, the Model S Plaid’s larger trunk and roomier rear seats make it more family-friendly. The Audi’s 8-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty matches Tesla’s, but two years of free Electrify America charging sweetens the deal.
Pricing and Competition
At $168,295, the RS e-tron GT Performance undercuts the Porsche Taycan Turbo S ($209,000) and Lucid Air Sapphire ($250,000), offering “Porsche-like performance for $60,000 less,” per MotorTrend. The Model S Plaid, at $94,990, is a bargain but “far less luxurious,” per CarBuzz. Kelley Blue Book sees the Audi as a “rosier” value proposition, blending daily comfort with supercar speed. However, Autocar warns of rapid depreciation, similar to the Taycan and Mercedes-AMG EQS 53.
Real-World Appeal: A Halo Car for Enthusiasts
The RS e-tron GT Performance is a “mind-bending halo car,” per CarBuzz, appealing to buyers who crave sports-car thrills in a practical sedan. Top Gear calls it a “handsome four-door GT” with “face-melting acceleration” and “comfy daily-driver” credentials. Its 278-mile range and fast charging suit road trips, while the quattro system and drift capability thrill on track days. Compared to the Plaid’s raw speed, the Audi’s refined dynamics, superior interior, and striking design make it a more complete package for luxury enthusiasts.
Electrifying.com sums it up: “The e-tron GT is proof an electric car can deliver the same driving thrills as an ICE car”. It’s not perfect—limited cargo space, tight rear headroom, and a high price tag are drawbacks—but it’s a compelling alternative to the Taycan, Plaid, and Sapphire, offering a unique blend of performance and poise.
Sample Driving Scenario
Picture blasting through Nevada’s desert highways in the RS e-tron GT Performance, as Robb Report did. In Dynamic mode, you engage Boost, and 912 hp catapults you past slower traffic, the horizon blurring as the speedometer climbs to 132 mph before a braking zone. On twisty canyon roads, the active suspension and rear-wheel steering make the 5,137-lb sedan dance, carving corners with surgical precision. In town, Comfort mode smooths out potholes, and the quiet cabin lets you enjoy the Bang & Olufsen audio. A 18-minute charge adds 200 miles, readying you for the next leg. This is the RS e-tron GT—effortless speed, everyday usability, and pure exhilaration.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance is a triumph, blending supercar speed, grand-tourer comfort, and cutting-edge technology in a package that outshines the Tesla Model S Plaid in refinement and driver engagement. With 912 horsepower, a 278-mile range, and 320-kW fast charging, it’s a practical yet thrilling EV super sedan. Subtle styling updates, a luxurious interior, and a sophisticated suspension elevate it above its predecessor, while its $168,295 price undercuts key rivals like the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and Lucid Air Sapphire.
For performance enthusiasts and luxury buyers, the RS e-tron GT Performance is a “monument to easy speed,” per Motor1, offering a near-perfect balance of excitement and usability. It may not match the Plaid’s raw acceleration or the Taycan’s track prowess, but its polished execution and striking design make it a standout. Visit audiusa.com to explore the e-tron GT lineup or reserve yours.
Buckle up—Audi’s electric flagship is here to swing.
Sources: MotorTrend, InsideEVs, Robb Report, Edmunds, Motor1, Kelley Blue Book, Car and Driver, Autocar, Top Gear, Electrek, CarBuzz, Automotive Daily, Electrifying.com, What Car?, Carwow, and posts on X.
