This side of an Audi R8, you won’t sit closer to the road in one of the firm’s cars. The E-tron GT’s Porsche roots are on display front and center here: the cosseting driving position places you at the center of the action, especially so given the panoramic view forward offered by the wraparound windscreen (the shallow side and rear glass is less conducive to a good view out).
There’s a wide range of seat and wheel adjustment, while the pedals are arranged well, with the centrally located brake allowing comfortable use by either the right or left foot. The steering wheel has a nicely thin rim, while metal paddles on the back of the spokes give quick access to the three-stage regenerative braking. Ahead of you is the brand’s trademark Virtual Cockpit.
Given Audi’s recent obsession with touchscreens, it’s gratifying to see that the E-tron GT (arguably its highest of hi-tech offerings) has ditched the multiple TFT screens of lesser models for a better balanced combination of glossy infotainment display and more traditional push-button climate control unit. Yes, the blocky temperature display graphics look a bit old hat, but it’s a price we’re willing to pay for an intuitive heating and ventilation system that’s a doddle to use on the fly.
Sitting above this is the large 10.1in MMI infotainment screen, which is also fairly straightforward to use, with crisp graphics and a logical menu layout. There are no hot keys or rotary controls whatsoever, though, and if you want to skip musical tracks or adjust the volume without using the screen, you have to use a bizarrely small touchpad that that sits on the transmission tunnel behind the gear selector and wouldn’t look out of place on a cheap MP3 player (remember those?).
It’s generally a quiet and relaxing place to pass the time, with wind noise well checked and road roar only becoming noticeable on coarse surfaces. Of course, the motor is unobtrusive, but over bumps this only highlights the surprising amount of creaks from the interior trim; perhaps a corollary of being made as light as possible to offset the weight of the motor and batteries. The materials all look like they’re up to Audi’s top-notch standards, but squeeze and poke a little and you’ll discover they’re underpinned by fairly flimsy materials – much like the set on Neighbours or Crossroads.
Given its generous external dimensions, the E-tron GT is no more than adequately practical, matching its close relation the Porsche Taycan, but both fall behind the roomier Tesla Model S.
There’s plenty of room for the driver and passenger, while even those sitting in the second row get more space than you’d think, especially for a car with such a low-slung roofline, although those over six foot might find their head just scraping the ceiling. Oddment stowage isn’t particularly impressive, running to a couple of cupholders in the center console, a small compartment under the armrest between the front seats and shallow door bins.
The 405-liter boot is a decent size, however, even if the opening is narrow, while the rear seats can be folded flat quickly and easily. Under the bonnet is a small area for overflow luggage, plus it holds the tire mobility foam and compressor, as well as the first aid kit.
