2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance Slides So Nice on Snow and Ice

Flinging Audi's most powerful EV sedan through a whiteout landscape took me back to a seminal drive in a first-gen Ford Taurus. It's one of my earliest recollections of driving in the snow and dates to a time when I could barely reach the pedals. The memory sticks with me—and with my mother too. She stood at the kitchen sink gazing out the window to see her fecal-brown Ford go zipping past in the snow.
My best friend and I had swiped the keys when she wasn't looking and proceeded to turn the yard into a rally circuit. Oh, the Taurus also went past the window in reverse. We could gain enough speed around the shed to pull off glorious J-turns in the front yard. Snow sprayed off the tires, then we started tearing up the grass. My father couldn't have cared less about the lawn. As a transmission technician, he was far more pained to learn about mom's car slamming from reverse to drive. Over and over.
Like so many others that live in frigid winter climates, I advanced to empty snow-covered parking lots, where I cranked out more donuts than Dunkin' on a Sunday. Those vacant spaces are prime real estate to learn car control. At least until the cops or security show up.
Those that are not lucky enough to have iced-over lots at their disposal, or those who wish to learn the fundamentals of ice driving and car control in a safe and controlled environment, should investigate ice-driving experiences, such as Audi's program in Seefeld, Austria.
While similar programs are offered around the globe, we traveled to the Alpine region to dial in our tank-slapping and drifting hooliganism. Audi offers three vehicles here: the forbidden fruit that are the RS 3 Sportback and the S5 Avant wagon, and our ice-and-snow thrower of choice, the 2025 Audi RS e-tron GT Performance.
The new-for-2025 RS e-tron GT Performance boasts impressive elements: There are optional carbon-ceramic brakes and active dampers, the battery is larger, and DC fast-charging is now quicker. Most important, the peak horsepower is up to a whopping 912 ponies. But out on a frozen pasture, none of those things really matter.
The biggest players here are the studded tires: handcrafted Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 EVs with three-millimeter nails. (The longest street-legal stud is two mills.) On these tires, the studs scratch across the ice sounding like a mouse clawing away at sheet of drywall. As the e-tron GT snakes through the slalom course, slight brake pressure plants the front end before the backside predictably swings around. The RS e-tron GT Performance's rear-axle steering helps it dance like Cinderella at Disney on Ice. It's a balance of speed and timing. Carry too much momentum, and the roughly 5100-pound sedan understeers into oblivion.
In many ways, controlling a big, snowy drift with an electric vehicle is almost like cheating compared to an internal-combustion counterpart. Without having the need for an engine's turbos to spool up or a conventional automatic transmission to shuffle though its gearing, the instantaneous torque delivered by the electric motors adds to the ease of flicking around the RS e-tron GT Performance. With the powertrain set to Dynamic mode, the torque bias shifts reward. A big stomp on the accelerator unsettles the rear end to set up the ultimate Scandinavian flick. As the e-tron snaps back around, feathering of the right pedal makes even the most inexperienced ice drivers look like all-stars around the drift circle.
For roughly $2000, Audi's ice experience includes a two-day class, hotel accommodations, transfers to the facility, and meals, and it is open to anyone of legal driving age. For just $20, I'll show you how to execute a J-turn in my parents' yard. You supply the Ford Taurus.
You Might Also Like
Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades
How to Buy or Lease a New Car
Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

San Francisco Chronicle​

39 minutes ago

• San Francisco Chronicle​

Ford recalls nearly 200,000 Mustang Mach Es due to faulty door latches that could trap passengers

Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 200,000 electric Mustangs because the door latches could falter, potentially trapping passengers in the back seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford is recalling 197,432 Mustang Mach E midsize SUVs, model years 2021-2025. The government agency that regulates automobile safety said that the electronic door latches may remain locked after a driver or front seat passenger exits the vehicle and shuts the door, potentially trapping a child or other passenger who is unable to use the interior door releases. The NHTSA said letters notifying owners of the safety risk were scheduled to be sent on June 23. Ford dealerships will fix the problem by updating the vehicles' software, with the remedy expected to be available by late September. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 25S65. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171), or go to for more information.

Hamilton Spectator

an hour ago

• Hamilton Spectator

Two people taken to hospital, including one in critical condition, after crash

Two people were taken to hospital Sunday night after a serious collision. Hamilton police responded to the two-vehicle crash at Rymal and Fletcher roads around 8:50 p.m. June 22. In a release Monday, police said a 2013 Ford F-150 was heading east on Rymal when it struck a 2014 Mazda CX-5, which was in the process of turning left onto Fletcher from Rymal. Four people — a driver and passenger in each vehicle — were injured. Police said the driver of the Mazda remains hospitalized in serious condition with life-threatening injuries, while the passenger is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the Ford sustained minor injuries, police said. The collision reconstruction unit is probing the crash. Anyone with information, dashcam footage or surveillance recording of the crash is asked to contact police are 905-546-4753 or reconunit@ . To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

2 hours ago

Ford recalls nearly 200,000 Mustang Mach Es due to faulty door latches

Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 200,000 electric Mustangs because the door latches could falter, potentially trapping passengers in the back seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford is recalling 197,432 Mustang Mach E midsize SUVs, model years 2021-2025. The government agency that regulates automobile safety said that the electronic door latches may remain locked after a driver or front seat passenger exits the vehicle and shuts the door, potentially trapping a child or other passenger who is unable to use the interior door releases. The NHTSA said letters notifying owners of the safety risk were scheduled to be sent on June 23. Ford dealerships will fix the problem by updating the vehicles' software, with the remedy expected to be available by late September. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 25S65. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171), or go to for more information.