Porsche Taycan vs Audi RS e-tron GT 2022 : Performance electric cars comparison test review | autoX

Summary

In this comparison of the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, both electric cars, despite sharing the same platform, showcase distinct personalities. The Taycan boasts sleek, sporty design and cutting-edge tech, offering a driving experience that's dynamic and pure Porsche. Meanwhile, the e-tron GT, with its bold, aggressive styling, delivers a more refined, comfortable GT feel, while still offering impressive performance. Both cars excel in acceleration and handling, providing thrilling experiences for driving enthusiasts, but each is tailored to a different type of driver. This video highlights how electric vehicles can preserve brand identity while embracing the future of motoring.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT are high-performance electric vehicles from Porsche and Audi, respectively, both claiming to deliver driving thrills akin to their combustion counterparts.
• 😀 Both cars share the same platform and drivetrain as part of the Volkswagen Group, but they offer distinct driving experiences despite these similarities.
• 😀 The Porsche Taycan has a sleek, aerodynamic design with a low drag coefficient of 0.22, making it the most slippery Porsche model.
• 😀 In contrast, the Audi e-tron GT features a more aggressive, dramatic design with bold features like muscular haunches and large wheels, appealing to those who prefer an edgier look.
• 😀 Inside, the Taycan's cabin is futuristic and tech-heavy, boasting a 16-inch curved driver display and multiple touchscreens for various controls, emphasizing its role as a tech-savvy sports car.
• 😀 The Audi e-tron GT takes a more conservative approach to interior design, using familiar Audi elements like physical buttons for climate control and the well-known virtual cockpit driver display.
• 😀 Both cars offer a similar rear seat experience, with sufficient space but not the luxurious comfort found in larger models like the Porsche Panamera or Audi RS7.
• 😀 The Audi e-tron GT accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, delivering a mind-blowing acceleration experience, with launch control and boost mode adding to its thrilling performance.
• 😀 The Taycan feels like a true Porsche, with a low and sporty driving position, direct steering, and sharp handling that mirrors the brand’s sports car identity, even in the base model.
• 😀 Despite sharing the same platform, the Taycan and e-tron GT feel completely different on the road— the Taycan offers a more engaging, connected driving experience, while the e-tron GT provides a comfortable and precise ride typical of Audi’s GT models.

Q & A

What are the main similarities between the Porsche Taycan and the Audi RS e-tron GT?

Both cars are high-performance electric vehicles from Porsche and Audi, respectively, and share the same platform and drivetrain as they belong to the Volkswagen Group. Despite this, they differ significantly in their design, driving dynamics, and overall character.

How do the Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-tron GT differ in terms of exterior design?

The Porsche Taycan has a more restrained, sleek design typical of Porsche, with a low, wide stance and a rear end resembling the Porsche 911. In contrast, the Audi RS e-tron GT has a bolder, more aggressive appearance with muscular haunches, a dramatic shape, and large wheels, making it look more outlandish and attention-grabbing.

How do the interiors of the Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-tron GT compare?

The Porsche Taycan's interior is futuristic, filled with advanced tech and multiple screens, including a 16-inch curved driver display. In contrast, the Audi RS e-tron GT follows a more traditional approach with familiar Audi features such as the virtual cockpit and physical buttons for controls, offering a more conservative, less tech-heavy experience.

What is the difference in the driving experience between the Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-tron GT?

The Porsche Taycan feels like a true sports car with direct, communicative steering and sharp handling, embodying Porsche's performance DNA. The Audi RS e-tron GT, while still a high-performance vehicle, offers a more comfortable, GT-like experience, with precise handling and a focus on comfort, making it feel more like a traditional Audi.

How do the acceleration figures of the Audi RS e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan compare?

The Audi RS e-tron GT accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, offering a mind-blowing and intense experience. The Porsche Taycan, especially in the base rear-wheel-drive version, offers a different kind of thrill with its direct sports car-like feel but isn't as fast as the RS e-tron GT in terms of straight-line performance.

What are the key differences in the handling of the Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-tron GT?

The Porsche Taycan offers a more connected, precise, and direct driving experience, especially with its sharp steering and low suspension. In comparison, the Audi RS e-tron GT feels more composed and comfortable, with less direct steering and a more relaxed driving experience, even though it is still highly capable in terms of handling.

How do the ride qualities of the two cars compare?

Both cars offer a comfortable ride, but the Porsche Taycan’s air suspension allows for better ride height adjustments, making it slightly more adaptable to daily driving. The Audi RS e-tron GT also offers a smooth ride, but the Taycan feels more flexible in handling various road conditions.

Why does the Porsche Taycan feel more like a traditional Porsche despite being an electric vehicle?

The Taycan retains its Porsche identity through its design and driving dynamics, particularly with the direct and communicative steering, as well as its sports car-like handling. This makes it feel much more like a traditional Porsche than an electric vehicle, despite its shift to EV technology.

What impact does the lack of engine noise have on the driving experience of these EVs?

The absence of engine noise, a hallmark of traditional performance cars, is a noticeable difference in the driving experience. However, the sheer performance, handling, and acceleration of the EVs compensate for the lack of the familiar auditory thrills. As electric vehicle technology evolves, drivers may become more accustomed to the quiet but thrilling driving experience.

What makes the Audi RS e-tron GT a distinct option for enthusiasts compared to the Porsche Taycan?

The Audi RS e-tron GT offers a more comfortable, GT-like driving experience with less emphasis on raw performance, making it ideal for those who appreciate refinement and high-speed comfort. It feels more like a traditional Audi in terms of driving dynamics, appealing to Audi enthusiasts while still offering impressive performance.