Audi’s electric e-tron GT is instantly recognisable even with a black mask to hide sensors, air curtains and lights

THIS is how serious Covid has got – even cars are wearing face masks.

Without a flicker of humour (because he’s German), Audi designer Philipp Romers described the glossy bits on the front of this electric e-tron GT as a “mask”.

He said: “Audi has a strong history with the single-frame grille and even though electric cars need less air we said we have to do something with this face, we don’t want to throw everything away.

“So the frontal area is smaller and surrounded by a black mask where we hide sensors, air curtains and lights.

"This has a big advantage. From 100 metres away, you can clearly see it’s an Audi because it still has the single-frame but you can also see it’s electric.

“This is our e-tron face and when you see the Q4 e-tron in a few weeks you will see an interpretation of it in the SUV segment.”

I like it.

And he’s right.

The e-tron GT is instantly recognisable as an Audi.

Same innards as a Porsche Taycan?

Yes. But cheaper and no less beautiful.

For maximum eco points, you can have leather-free upholstery and carpet made from recycled fishing nets.

Now let’s talk performance because the figures are, quite frankly, hilarious.

The range-topping RS e-tron GT is 598hp – peaking at 646hp with 2.5 seconds of boost.

Yikes.

That’s more powerful than the R8 Performance with its 5.2-litre V10.

And the battery car has a lower centre of gravity.

The e-tron GT is instantly recognisable as an Audi

And a lower roof than an RS7.

It catapults from 0-62mph in a face-melting 3.3 seconds and has all the big-boy kit – all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and so on – to make Average Joe look pro.

If he has £110k, that is.

I wouldn’t be disappointed with the “entry” e-tron GT quattro.

That’s 476hp (530hp with boost) and can box off 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds.

That’s still serious pace. It also goes a little further (295 miles) and is £30k cheaper at £79,900.

Both versions have a 93kWh battery pack that can suck up 62 miles of juice every five minutes.

That’s all for now.

I’ll report back when I drive it next week.

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