Audi e-tron GT quattro Review 2026: A Starship on Wheels from Norfolk’s Seals to London’s Royal Palaces

Having previously taken readers on adventures aboard some of Italy’s finest automotive machinery, including the magnificent Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, your correspondent decided that it was time for something rather different. Gone would be the glorious growl of a twin-turbocharged V6, the mechanical soundtrack and the occasional theatrical outburst. In their place came the Audi e-tron GT quattro, an all-electric German grand tourer promising extraordinary performance, cutting-edge technology and the sort of effortless refinement for which Audi has become famous.

An Electric Road Trip from London to Norfolk

The plan was straightforward enough: escape London for a weekend in Norfolk, explore the beautiful coastline around Holt and Blakeney, enjoy some good food and put the Audi through its paces on everything from congested city streets to winding country lanes. My travelling companions would also provide a useful second opinion. My eldest daughter, Marie, 23, accompanied me on the outward journey from London, while her younger sister Leonie, 18, joined me in Holt and became my co-pilot for the return. As it turned out, the Audi would generate rather more discussion than either of them might have anticipated.

Audi e-tron GT quattro Specs: The Numbers Behind the Starship

The 2026 Audi e-tron GT quattro produces 503PS, rising to 585PS with launch control, reaches 62mph in 4.0 seconds, tops out at a governed 152mph and has an official WLTP range of up to 386 miles from its 105kWh battery.

Audi e-tron GT Design: A Shark in a Tailored German Suit

First impressions are important, and the e-tron GT certainly knows how to make one. Its low, broad nose, aggressive headlights and muscular front end reminded me of a shark preparing to devour whatever might be unfortunate enough to cross its path. The message was unmistakable: don’t mess with me. Yet move around to the side and the character changes completely. Here the Audi reveals an exceptionally elegant, almost sculptural silhouette, with a sweeping roofline, pronounced shoulders and beautifully balanced proportions. The rear is comparatively understated, giving the whole design an interesting mixture of menace and sophistication.

I initially considered describing it as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but that would be doing the designers a disservice. There is nothing particularly sheepish about this machine. It looks fast even when standing still, although its silver finish lends it a degree of restraint that a more flamboyant colour might have sacrificed. Unlike some high-performance cars, which appear desperate to announce their capabilities to the entire neighbourhood, the Audi manages to communicate considerable power without shouting about it.

Inside the Audi e-tron GT: German Precision and a Heavy Door

Inside, the atmosphere is unmistakably German: clean, purposeful and beautifully assembled. The controls are generally intuitive, with a welcome absence of the unnecessarily complicated arrangements that increasingly plague modern cars. Switching between driver profiles proved more cumbersome than it should have been, however, and Marie was quick to remark on the considerable weight of the passenger door. Neither is a major criticism, but both remind you that this is a substantial piece of machinery, however elegantly it may be packaged.

Driving the Audi e-tron GT in London: Civilised Manners and Extraordinary Intentions

Negotiating London’s traffic in a low-slung, wide-bodied performance car might sound like a recipe for frustration, yet the Audi proved surprisingly accommodating. Visibility was manageable, manoeuvring was easier than its dimensions suggested, and the electric drivetrain made progress through the capital almost eerily smooth. There was no engine idling impatiently at traffic lights, no mechanical vibration and certainly none of the dramatic exhaust notes that would accompany the equivalent journey in an Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio.

Audi e-tron GT Acceleration: Dynamic Mode and Warp Speed

Once clear of the city’s restrictions, however, the Audi revealed a rather different personality. Selecting Dynamic mode transformed the experience from quiet urban transportation into something approaching science fiction. The acceleration was so immediate and so relentless that my initial reaction was hardly worthy of sophisticated motoring journalism: “Wow. Wow. Wow!” There is simply no waiting for the engine to build revs, no gearbox searching for the appropriate ratio and no accompanying mechanical crescendo. Press the accelerator and the car launches forward with a force that seems to compress both distance and time.

It brought to mind Back to the Future, although perhaps Star Trek provides the more appropriate comparison. Engage warp speed and the scenery appears to rush towards you at an entirely unreasonable rate, while the occupants remain surrounded by an almost surreal calm. The remarkable thing is not merely the acceleration itself, but the Audi’s composure while delivering it. The car feels planted, secure and astonishingly stable, almost as though travelling on rails. It is an extraordinary demonstration of what modern electric performance can achieve, although one suspects that enthusiastic use of the accelerator is not particularly conducive to maximising the available battery range.

Norfolk by Electric Car: Handling on Holt’s Country Lanes

Our destination was Mulberry House, a charming hotel in the village of Thornage, close to the attractive Georgian market town of Holt. Norfolk offers a wonderfully different landscape from the dramatic mountain passes and winding continental roads that have featured in some of my previous motoring adventures. Here, the attraction lies in the broad skies, gently rolling countryside, quiet villages and narrow lanes bordered by hedgerows. It is a place that encourages a rather more leisurely appreciation of one’s surroundings, even when the car beneath you is capable of turning distinctly unhurried journeys into very rapid ones indeed.

The contrast between the Audi’s futuristic character and the timeless atmosphere of rural Norfolk was delightful. Parked against the traditional surroundings of our weekend retreat, the e-tron GT looked like an unusually sophisticated visitor from another age, or perhaps another century. Yet it was on the local roads that its handling impressed me most. Despite the weight inherent in a large electric grand tourer, the car displayed remarkable agility and reassuring levels of grip. Through bends, it felt precise and unflustered, with an ability to follow the intended line that inspired considerable confidence.

Audi e-tron GT Driving Modes and Night Driving

The various driving modes allowed some adjustment of its personality. Efficiency and Comfort offered the more restrained approach, while Dynamic sharpened the experience considerably; Individual permitted a degree of personalisation. Unsurprisingly, your correspondent developed a particular affection for Dynamic, although there were moments when the more forgiving settings seemed a sensible concession to the condition of Norfolk’s roads. After dark, the excellent headlights and automatic high-beam assistance also proved particularly welcome on unfamiliar country lanes, where visibility and confidence are considerably more valuable than outright acceleration.

Blakeney Point Seals: Salt Marshes and a Rather Different Kind of Wildlife

No visit to this part of Norfolk would be complete without exploring its magnificent coastline, and Blakeney Point provided one of the highlights of our weekend. Famous for its seal colonies, the area combines expansive salt marshes, sweeping coastal scenery and an extraordinary sense of openness. Watching the seals in their natural habitat was a delightful change of pace from the technological excitement of the Audi. These rather contented-looking creatures appeared blissfully unconcerned with acceleration figures, driving modes or the future of the motor car.

There is something wonderfully restorative about this stretch of the English coast. The landscape seems to extend endlessly beneath the vast Norfolk sky, while the wildlife provides entertainment of a rather more relaxed variety than that encountered on the journey north. One could hardly imagine a greater contrast with the Audi’s almost otherworldly performance, yet that was precisely what made the combination so enjoyable. A proper grand tour should be about more than the car itself; it should also be about the places it takes you and the experiences encountered along the way.

Oysters at The Dun Cow Salthouse: Norfolk Seafood by the North Sea

Our culinary highlight came at The Dun Cow in Salthouse, on Purdy Street, a wonderfully situated coastal pub that provided an excellent excuse to linger over lunch. Seafood was very much the order of the day, including some delicious oysters, and the quality of the meal more than justified the visit. There is something particularly satisfying about enjoying fresh seafood so close to the North Sea, especially after a morning spent exploring the surrounding coastline.

The Dun Cow has precisely the sort of character one hopes to discover on an English country escape: welcoming, unpretentious and firmly connected to its surroundings. It provided a welcome reminder that some of life’s greatest pleasures have little to do with horsepower, torque or the latest automotive technology. The Audi might have transported us there with remarkable efficiency and rather more speed than strictly necessary, but once seated at the table, I was perfectly happy for time to slow down.

Audi e-tron GT Ride Comfort: The Grand Touring Paradox

For all its extraordinary qualities, the Audi revealed one weakness that became increasingly difficult to ignore over the course of the weekend: comfort. This is, after all, a car bearing the initials GT, or Gran Turismo, a designation traditionally associated with covering considerable distances at speed while leaving driver and passengers feeling suitably refreshed upon arrival. Unfortunately, the e-tron GT did not entirely fulfil that particular promise.

The seats, although supportive and attractively designed, felt surprisingly firm during longer journeys. After approximately an hour to an hour and a half behind the wheel, I began to experience discomfort in my lower back, which became more pronounced after two or three hours. The suspension, too, transmitted more of the road’s imperfections into the cabin than I would ideally have liked. Selecting Comfort mode helped, but did not entirely resolve the issue. My passengers initially seemed more forgiving, although even they eventually acknowledged the firmness of the ride over less-than-perfect surfaces.

This is not a trivial observation in a car designed for grand touring. Extraordinary acceleration and impeccable handling are undeniably impressive, but the ability to emerge comfortably after several hours on the road is equally important. Indeed, I would argue that it is fundamental to the GT proposition. The Audi’s suspension and seating may appeal to drivers who prioritise a particularly sporting character, but for someone accustomed to covering long distances across Europe, I would welcome a little more indulgence. It is a curious paradox that a car capable of making distance disappear so effortlessly can nevertheless leave its driver rather conscious of the time spent sitting in it.

Audi e-tron GT vs Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio: Electric Precision versus Italian Passion

Inevitably, comparisons with my beloved Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio machines came to mind. The Alfa Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio are gloriously emotional creations, their twin-turbocharged V6 engines providing a soundtrack that forms an integral part of the driving experience. They growl, snarl and occasionally behave as though they have consumed rather too much espresso. Their character is mechanical, visceral and unmistakably Italian. Driving one is not merely about getting somewhere quickly; it is about enjoying every moment of the journey, including the noises, vibrations and occasional imperfections.

The Audi approaches the same objective from an entirely different direction. Where the Alfa seduces through passion and theatre, the e-tron GT impresses through precision, composure and technological brilliance. Its performance is delivered with such apparent ease that it almost defies comprehension. There is no dramatic build-up, no rising engine note and no sense of machinery being pushed towards its limits. Instead, one experiences an extraordinary, almost supernatural surge of acceleration accompanied by little more than the muted sounds of the road and the passing air.

Which approach is more satisfying? That depends entirely on one’s priorities. The Italian in me (acquired through years of affection for Alfa Romeo, if not by birth) remains deeply attached to the emotional appeal of a great combustion engine. Yet it would be foolish to deny the extraordinary achievement represented by the Audi. This is a different kind of excitement, one that substitutes technological wizardry for mechanical drama. Whether it is ultimately more rewarding is a question I suspect motoring enthusiasts will debate for years to come.

A Royal Homecoming: The Audi e-tron GT at London’s Landmarks

Our return to London, this time with Leonie occupying the passenger seat, provided a fitting conclusion to the weekend. Having spent several days among Norfolk’s villages, coastal landscapes and wonderfully unhurried wildlife, we were once again surrounded by the capital’s bustle, traffic and architectural grandeur. Rather than returning the Audi quietly to its urban surroundings, we decided to give our futuristic German travelling companion a suitably ceremonial homecoming, taking photographs against some of London’s most recognisable landmarks.

Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial

Buckingham Palace provided the first magnificent backdrop. With the imposing royal residence on one side and the gilded Victoria Memorial on the other, the silver Audi looked remarkably at ease among the symbols of British tradition. Its elegant side profile was particularly striking against the palace’s classical architecture, the smooth, sculpted bodywork contrasting beautifully with the monumental stone façades. One could almost imagine the car awaiting an important royal passenger, although whether the Palace would appreciate the instantaneous acceleration of Dynamic mode is another matter entirely.

Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

From there, Westminster offered an equally memorable setting. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament provided a wonderfully theatrical backdrop, followed by the magnificent Gothic façade of Westminster Abbey. Here the contrast became especially pronounced: centuries of architectural craftsmanship confronting a machine that seemed to have arrived from the next century. The Abbey’s elaborate stonework, soaring towers and intricate detailing could hardly be further removed from the Audi’s minimalist design philosophy, yet the combination was visually compelling. It was also another opportunity to admire what I regard as the car’s finest feature: that beautifully proportioned side silhouette.

Modern London from the London Eye to The Shard

Our photographic tour then moved towards a more contemporary London, with the London Eye, the bold modern architecture around Vauxhall and finally The Shard offering a different perspective. Against these structures, the Audi seemed less like a visitor from the future and more like a natural inhabitant of the modern city. The progression from royal palaces and Gothic monuments to glass towers and modern engineering provided a rather appropriate visual summary of the weekend: a journey through Britain’s past and present in a car that offers a tantalising glimpse of motoring’s future.

Audi e-tron GT quattro Verdict: A Starship Worth Keeping?

By the time the Audi’s Norfolk adventure and royal London homecoming had concluded, I had developed considerable admiration for this remarkable machine. Its design is striking, its handling superb and its acceleration genuinely astonishing. It combines the sophistication expected of a premium German grand tourer with performance that, not so long ago, would have seemed the exclusive preserve of exotic supercars. That it delivers all this in near silence makes the achievement even more extraordinary.

There are reservations, of course. The firmness of the seats and suspension would give me pause before embarking on another lengthy continental adventure, and the temptation to exploit that extraordinary acceleration comes with the predictable consequence of reduced driving range. Nor does the Audi quite replicate the emotional engagement of a great Italian combustion-engined sports car. But perhaps it should not be expected to. This is a machine with its own distinctive character, one that offers a compelling vision of what high-performance grand touring may become.

When asked how I would persuade someone to buy it, my response was rather revealing: “I wouldn’t sell it. I would keep it.” That, perhaps, is the most eloquent compliment one can pay a car. After a weekend of Norfolk’s beautiful countryside, seals, oysters, two delightful travelling companions and a rather grand tour of London’s royal and architectural landmarks, the Audi e-tron GT had made a lasting impression. Whether I am quite ready to exchange the glorious soundtrack of my Italian stallions for the near-silent propulsion of a German starship remains another matter. But if this is what the future of motoring looks like, then I suspect we are in for a rather exhilarating ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Audi e-tron GT comfortable on long journeys?

Not as comfortable as a grand tourer should be. The seats are supportive but firm, and after an hour to an hour and a half at the wheel I began to feel it in my lower back, which got worse after two or three hours. The suspension also lets a fair amount of road imperfection into the cabin. Comfort mode helps but doesn’t fully solve it.

How fast does the Audi e-tron GT feel in Dynamic mode?

Astonishingly fast. The acceleration is instant and relentless, with no wait for revs and no gearbox hunting for a ratio. More impressive still is how calm and stable the car stays while it happens, as though it were running on rails.

What driving modes does the Audi e-tron GT have?

Efficiency, Comfort, Dynamic and Individual. Efficiency and Comfort are the gentler settings, Dynamic sharpens everything considerably, and Individual lets you set the car up the way you like it. On rougher Norfolk roads the softer modes were a sensible choice.

Is the Audi e-tron GT easy to drive in London?

Surprisingly so, given how low and wide it is. Visibility was manageable, it was easier to manoeuvre than its size suggests, and the electric drivetrain made stop-start traffic almost eerily smooth.

Does hard driving affect the e-tron GT’s range?

Yes. The acceleration is very tempting, and using it often eats into the battery range. If you want to cover the most distance on a charge, be gentle with the accelerator.

How does the Audi e-tron GT compare with the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio?

They take opposite approaches. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio win you over with the noise and theatre of their twin-turbocharged V6. The Audi impresses with precision, composure and near-silent acceleration. Which one you’d prefer depends on whether you want mechanical drama or electric wizardry.

What are the best and worst things about the Audi e-tron GT?

The best are its beautifully proportioned side profile, superb handling and extraordinary acceleration. The worst are the firm seats and suspension on long drives, a fiddly system for switching driver profiles and a very heavy passenger door.

Is the Audi e-tron GT good for driving on country lanes at night?

Very good. The headlights are excellent, and the automatic high beam was particularly welcome on unfamiliar, unlit Norfolk lanes.

Where can you see seals in Norfolk?

Blakeney Point on the north Norfolk coast is famous for its seal colonies. You’ll also find wide salt marshes and big skies there, and it’s an easy drive from Holt.

Where can you eat oysters near Blakeney?

The Dun Cow on Purdy Street in Salthouse is a welcoming coastal pub a short drive along the coast. Its seafood was the culinary highlight of our weekend.

Would I buy the Audi e-tron GT?

When asked how I would sell it to someone, I said I wouldn’t sell it, I’d keep it. Whether it could fully replace my Italian cars is another question, but it made a lasting impression.

Find out more about the Audi e-tron GT quattro.