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“I usually drive in ‘efficiency mode’”

Tom Kristensen was a successful race driver for Audi for more than two decades. Yet he never drove fully electric in his races. However, in this episode of Audi e-tron stories, he provides insight into his – now electrified – everyday automotive life.

Text: Patrick Morda - Photo: Robert Fischer Reading Time: 6 min

Tom Kristensen gets out of an Audi RS e-tron GT.
In the “Audi e-tron stories”, drivers tell what excites them about electric mobility. This part is about the former Audi race driver Tom Kristensen and his Audi RS e-tron GT.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

One is always surprised how quiet it can be at the Audi Motorsport Headquarter in Neuburg an der Donau. Some distance away, a bird stands in the wind above the test track, lurking, as an Audi RS e-tron GT comes to a futuristic whirring halt at one of the charging stations next to the test track.

“I love the sound”, Tom Kristensen says as he plugs the Daytona gray Audi into the charging station. It's safe to say, he adds, that the Audi RS e-tron GT isn't exactly what you would call the quietest electric vehicle there is. You would clearly hear the "RS" in its name, which stands clearly for Audi Sport. “It's not necessarily my first electrified vehicle. Actually, my first one was a golf cart. I even had a road permit”, he continues. The contrasts could hardly be greater: The very functional golf cart in mind, before eyes the emotional Gran Tourer. At times the race driver Tom Kristensen, who, among other things, has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans nine times, seven of which with Audi, talks about efficiency, torque curves and weight distribution. For the racetrack, he says honestly, he would like the Audi RS e-tron GT to be lighter. But then there's the Tom Kristensen, who ended his active career in 2014. The family man who, as he says, “enjoys the serene travelling mode” in his Audi RS e-tron GT, which is also Daytona gray, in Hobro, Denmark. “It's impressive how confident and unagitated the GT is on the road in everyday use.” The e-sports car's weight actually benefits it.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

The Audi RS e-tron GT is a production vehicle that is not designed or suitable for use on the racetrack or in a rally.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

The Audi RS e-tron GT is a production vehicle that is not designed or suitable for use on the racetrack or in a rally.

Tom Kristensen leans against an e-charging point while the Audi RS e-tron GT charges.
Ten charging points are available on the site in Neuburg for Audi driving experience vehicles¹. At home, Tom Kristensen charges his Audi RS e-tron GT at the wallbox at home, partly fed from his own photovoltaic system.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

¹The Audi driving experience training takes place on a closed-off track under the guidance of professional instructors. The driving techniques taught during the training sessions may only be used on public roads if they are compatible with road traffic regulations.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

¹The Audi driving experience training takes place on a closed-off track under the guidance of professional instructors. The driving techniques taught during the training sessions may only be used on public roads if they are compatible with road traffic regulations.

Then it gets loud after all. On the dynamics area not far from the charging station, a group of an Audi driving experience¹ learns to master special driving situations. “I highly recommend it,” Kristensen says. “An e-vehicle in particular can and should be driven differently,” he notes. Particularly in terms of efficiency, he says, it is helpful to know about “sailing”, that is decoupling the electric motor, or recuperation, that is the recovery of braking energy. He, too, would have had to gain experience first. “However, I would like to be able to have even more influence on the recuperation system so that more gradations were available. I'd love to talk to the engineers about that,” comes Kristensen, the racing driver through again. To note in the same breath: “I usually drive in “efficiency mode” in everyday life. My wife too.” For a little bit, especially at the beginning, they would have been worried about the next charging possibility, even in the well-developed Denmark. But that, too, assures Tom Kristensen, is all a matter of experience.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

¹The Audi driving experience training takes place on a closed-off track under the guidance of professional instructors. The driving techniques taught during the training sessions may only be used on public roads if they are compatible with road traffic regulations.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

¹The Audi driving experience training takes place on a closed-off track under the guidance of professional instructors. The driving techniques taught during the training sessions may only be used on public roads if they are compatible with road traffic regulations.

“I see many exciting developments in the field of mobility.”

His since unmatched nine victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans have made Tom Kristensen a racing legend. Not a few people call him “Mr. Le Mans” with reverence. As a brand ambassador, he continues to be on the road for Audi and still has close ties to racing.

More details

Three questions for Tom Kristensen on e-mobility

 

01. In your view, what role does electrification play in the future of mobility?

It certainly plays a decisive role with regard to efficiency and sustainability. However, I still see challenges, for example with the range, the weight of the batteries or the charging infrastructure. But as a racing driver, I'm also open to different technologies and approaches – and I'm currently seeing some exciting developments in the field of mobility.

 

02. What has changed for you since going electric?

My driving style and that of my wife have adapted. We are trying to drive even more predictably. This also has to do with the sound. You can hear the “RS” in the name, but Audi has managed to translate the balance between performance and efficiency into sound. The way the Audi RS e-tron GT1 drives and sounds gives me a certain kind of serenity.

 

03. What surprised you about your Audi RS e-tron GT?

I must confess, I just learned something new here today: I hadn't even noticed the luggage compartment under the front hood and the button in the driver's door strip to open it. I immediately sent a photo to my wife. Until now, we have always stowed our charging cable in the trunk. But it's much better off up front.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

“It's impressive how confident the Audi RS e-tron GT is on the road.”

Tom Kristensen

Portrait of Tom Kristensen in front of a building in Neuburg an der Donau.
For Tom Kristensen, electromobility is an important element with a view to the future of mobility. But as a racer, he has learned to be open to any new technology that helps to be successful.

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

An Audi RS e-tron GT from the side.

Experience E-Performance

The Audi driving experience offers a diverse program where you don’t only take your driving skills to a new level, but also experience the intelligent performance of electric sports cars like the Audi RS e-tron GT.

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Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A

Audi RS e-tron GT: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.1–18.4CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A