Long-distance electric road trips in South Africa were once accompanied by a degree of anxiety. Would there be enough range? Would the next charging station work? Would charging add hours to the journey? Thanks to the rapid expansion of reliable fast-charging infrastructure, those concerns are finally beginning to fade.
To discover just how far electric grand touring has come, I packed my family into Audi South Africa’s most powerful production vehicle ever built – the breathtaking Audi RS e-tron GT performance – and pointed its nose from Johannesburg towards one of KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) most sustainable luxury retreats, Brahman Hills in the Midlands.
The Journey Begins
Finished in striking Bedford Green Metallic, the RS e-tron GT performance looked every bit the futuristic grand tourer as we departed Johannesburg just before midday. Our plan was simple: enjoy the journey, stop only when necessary to recharge and arrive at Brahman Hills before sunset.
An accident on the N3 brought traffic to a standstill for almost an hour, delaying our progress. Yet, once the congestion cleared, the Audi immediately settled back into its element, effortlessly devouring kilometres with remarkable composure.
This is where the RS e-tron GT performance truly excels. Audi’s suite of advanced driver assistance systems transforms long-distance driving into a far more relaxing affair. Adaptive lane guidance, semi-autonomous driving assistance, and adjustable regenerative braking made the long highway stretches particularly relaxing, while Efficiency mode helped maximise every kilometre before our first charging stop.
First Charge, First Impressions
Our destination was Zero Carbon Charge’s Leeukop Padstal station off the Reitz roadside interchange. We arrived with approximately 175 kilometres of remaining range. Forty-five minutes later, after charging at speeds reaching an impressive 232kW, the battery was back to 100 per cent, delivering a projected driving range of more than 500 kilometres. The charging session cost R584 – a small price to pay considering the performance on offer.
Equally impressive was the charging experience itself. Clean, efficient, and remarkably straightforward, it reinforced just how practical long-distance electric travel in South Africa has become.
With renewed energy – both ours and the Audi’s – we continued towards the rolling hills of the KZN Midlands.
A Sustainable Stop in the Midlands
Brahman Hills proved to be the perfect reward after a day on the road. One of the region’s leading sustainable luxury escapes, the estate blends understated elegance with breathtaking natural surroundings. We checked into the beautifully appointed Duiker Villa – one of the property’s newest premium villas designed for guests seeking privacy – where expansive living spaces, personalised hospitality, and sweeping views over the mist-covered valleys proved an idyllic place to unwind.
The Scenic Route Home
The following morning, sunlight illuminated the estate’s landscaped gardens and the rolling hills from which Brahman Hills takes its name. After a leisurely breakfast, it was time to begin the journey home.
Our remaining range stood at around 210 kilometres, and a precautionary charging stop at Zero Carbon Charge’s Three Towers Farmstall station near Tugela topped the battery back to around 90 per cent in just 45 minutes.
Instead of simply retracing our route along the N3, we opted for something considerably more memorable. The magnificent R74 via Oliviershoek Pass offered the ideal opportunity to experience the dynamic side of Audi’s flagship electric RS model. With the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains standing proudly alongside us, I switched the car into Dynamic mode before activating RS Performance. The transformation was immediate.
Performance Beyond Expectations
Despite weighing well over two tonnes, the RS e-tron GT’s performance disguised its mass with astonishing agility. Every corner was dispatched with surgical precision as Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system intelligently distributed torque between the axles. Steering remained beautifully direct while the adaptive suspension kept the car remarkably composed over the twisting mountain road.
With the Drakensberg disappearing into the rear-view mirror, we rejoined the N3 for the final stretch towards Gauteng. As before, the journey was broken by a well-timed recharge at Zero Carbon Charge’s Leeukop Padstal. The return charging stop proved equally seamless. In just 45 minutes, the RS e-tron GT performance was replenished to 98 per cent, giving us more than enough range to comfortably complete the final leg back to Johannesburg. By this stage, any lingering range anxiety had completely disappeared.
Rather than a conventional exhaust note, acceleration is accompanied by a futuristic soundtrack reminiscent of a high-performance jet preparing for take-off – a fitting accompaniment to what is undoubtedly one of the fastest production Audis ever created.
Performance figures only tell part of the story.
With outputs of up to 680kW available through Launch Control, the RS e-tron GT can sprint from 0–100km/h in as little as 2.5 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Yet what impressed me most wasn’t outright speed – it was how effortlessly the car transitioned between exhilarating performance and refined long-distance comfort.
Luxury Meets Technology
Inside, Sport Seats Pro, a panoramic glass roof, and Audi’s intuitive digital cockpit created an atmosphere befitting a flagship GT, while the practical rear seating proved surprisingly family-friendly.
Technology plays an equally important role. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus, head-up display, intuitive MMI Navigation Plus, and immersive Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System transformed every kilometre into a premium experience.
Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light turned the return journey after sunset into a masterclass in nighttime visibility, intelligently illuminating the road ahead without dazzling oncoming traffic.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature on our test car, however, was the optional Matte Carbon Camouflage Package – a first for Audi. Inspired by the world of exotic supercars, each panel features crushed carbon fibres encapsulated within resin, creating a unique pattern that ensures no two vehicles are ever identical.
Electric Touring Comes of Age
By the time we rolled back into Johannesburg, one conclusion had become clear. The Audi RS e-tron GT performance is far more than an astonishing performance machine. It is a genuine electric grand tourer capable of effortlessly covering long South African distances while delivering breathtaking performance, exceptional luxury, and remarkable refinement.
Equally encouraging was the reliability of Zero Carbon Charge’s ultra-fast charging network. Efficient, dependable, and strategically positioned, it removed the final psychological barrier many South Africans still associate with electric road trips.
The era of electric grand touring has truly arrived. If this journey proved anything, it’s that travelling from Gauteng to the KZN Midlands in one of the world’s most exhilarating electric performance cars isn’t merely possible – it is an experience every motoring enthusiast should place firmly on their bucket list.
