Audi E-tron GT Vs. Porsche Taycan: Who Wins?

2023 Author: Natalie MacDonald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 13:59

The launch of Audi's newest electric sedan is a good opportunity to compare it to another battery-powered four-door, the Porsche Taycan. After all, both models have a lot in common, and both are incredibly advanced and fast. But which of the new products is cooler: "Taikan" or (suddenly) "I-throne"? We will arrange an absentee battle based only on facts.

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Round 1. Practicality

Like the Porsche, the electric Audi is designed in the spirit of a fast, streamlined four-door. The e-tron GT has four seats, a separate 405-liter rear rack, and an extra luggage compartment in the front where you can tamp a cabin size bag or a pair of shoulder backpacks. The total volume of luggage compartments is 490 liters (or a little less - 451 liters - if you choose the version with the top Bang & Olufsen "music"). And that's about the same numbers as the Porsche Taycan, which offers 447bhp.

The Audi rear sofa is molded for two passengers, but is suitable for trips for three. True, the person sitting in the center will have to put up with the cramped conditions and inconveniences caused by the high central tunnel. In general, the sloping roof and the elements of the entertainment world concentrated in the front part hint: it is more pleasant to ride the e-tron together. On Taikan, however, too.

In terms of wheelbase dimensions (2900 mm), both Audi and Porsche are identical - although the e-tron is a bit longer, a little narrower and slightly taller than the Taikan. In general, according to the indicator "Practicality" between the two electric sedans, you can put an "equal" sign: the discrepancies are minimal.

Audi e-tron GT

0

Porsche taycan

0

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Round 2. Hardware and Potential

General concern (Volkswagen) - common chips. More precisely, not just common - the same! First of all, we are talking about the J1 platform, designed for electric vehicles and which is a mix of electrical components and some architectural solutions borrowed from the Porsche Panamera.

So, like the Taycan, the e-tron GT hides a complex 800-volt battery under the floor, the body of which is part of the body's power structure. The characteristics of the lithium-ion unit correspond to the "Taikan" ones: 93 kilowatt-hours, of which 85 are effective, as well as the features of synchronous electric motors mounted on the axles. The front engine of the "i-throne" develops 238 horsepower, and the rear one, 435-horsepower, is combined with a two-stage gearbox - a simplified semblance of a gearbox. We already remember such a scheme from the Porsche Taycan, and this is not surprising. But will the numbers differ? Yes!

In total, the basic version of the Audi electric car produces 476 horsepower and 630 Newton meters - 14 hp. and 20 Nm less than the Taycan 4S. However, if you use the launch control mode, the output will briefly increase to the level of the Porsche: 530 forces will be "peak", and the maximum thrust will increase by 10 Nm. However, the Porsche also has a similar feature, and there the return will again be higher.

But the e-tron GT has a cooler version of the RS, which has a powerful electric motor. Installation on the rear axle already develops 456 "horses" and brings the total output to 598 forces and 830 Newton meters. And again, the short-term, 2.5-second Overboost mode allows you to raise the power to 646 forces.

However, even with such numbers, Audi is not a rival to the top-end 680-horsepower Taycan Turbo. And even more so - to the 761-strong (at its peak) Turbo S. And therefore - the first point in favor of Porsche and the first defeat for the e-tron GT.

Audi e-tron GT

0

Porsche taycan

1

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Round 3. Dynamics

The potential of Audi, which is underestimated in comparison with Porsche, affected the dynamic characteristics of the new product. If you invite both electric sedans to the starting line and give the go-ahead, the basic e-tron GT in launch-start mode will accelerate to 100 in 4.1 seconds, and it's pretty fast. However, the "simple" Taycan 4S will cope even faster - in exactly four seconds. A similar result will be achieved in the duel between the top version of the RS and the Taycan Turbo: a 646-horsepower Audi “bullets” up to 100 km / h in 3.3 seconds, and a Porsche in 3.2. At the same time, the Turbo S is even more nimble: 2.8 seconds to a hundred.

The subordination between the two brands is also noticeable in maximum speed. The e-tron GT is capable of accelerating to 245 kilometers per hour, while the Taycan 4S can reach 250 kilometers per hour. As for both Turbo versions of the Taikan, they are also faster than the i-throne RS: 260 km / h versus 250 for Audi. It would seem a trifle - but it again flies into the Porsche piggy bank.

Audi e-tron GT

0

Porsche taycan

2

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Round 4. Charge

This is where the twin cars have nothing to share. A common platform, a common electrical architecture, an identical battery, an 800-volt network and fast inverters - the total range and charging time of Audi can be written off without fear from the "Porsche" ones.

The e-tron GT claims 487 kilometers of WLTP range, while the "charged" RS version can travel up to 472 kilometers. Like the Taycan, Audi's electric car is trained in fast charging tricks. Recharging the "i-throne" from a powerful 270-kilowatt station will take 25 minutes, and it will take five minutes to recharge for the conditional 100 kilometers of run.

Yes, we remember that the Taycan operates with more accurate numbers, suggesting to spend 22 and a half minutes at the outlet. However, in real life, there will be no differences between the electric sedans of both brands. So - parity. Do you agree?

Audi e-tron GT

1

Porsche taycan

3

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Round 5. Chips

There is no point in discussing the design of new products or comparing interior design in search of a clear leader. In this sense, both Audi and Porsche are good in their own way and attract their customers. But what does the e-tron GT have that the Taycan doesn't, and vice versa? Let's take a look at the list of equipment.

For Audi, an active spring suspension, a rear self-blocking differential are available, and for a surcharge there is an electronically controlled "diff", a three-chamber air suspension with adjustable ground clearance (range - 43 mm), an all-wheel steering chassis, 20- and 21-inch wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, matrix LED light, parking assist and adaptive cruise control. Moreover, the latter acts only as an "assistant" and does not have the functions of an autopilot.

Inside the e-tron GT is a 12.3-inch tidy screen, a ten-inch touchscreen for the media system and an additional projection screen for the driver. In addition to the optional B&O acoustics, the synthesized sound of the internal combustion engine is available for Audi, which, by definition, is lacking in electric cars. The RS version has this feature by default.

How will the Porsche Taycan respond? In general, the same positions, ranging from active suspension, composite brakes and steering wheels, and ending with cruise control of the same functionality and large interior displays with a diagonal of up to 16.8 inches. True, the Taikan has a whole sea of screens: the driver, the passenger (!) Have them and there are two floors between them. And where Audi has any physical buttons and keys, Porsche has only sensors and nothing but sensors.

And behind the Taycan is the entire Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur team, ready to fulfill every customer's whim: from the installation of a body kit and blue matrix headlights to personalizing the interior, right up to the choice of the color of the seat belts. Audi has not yet announced a similar service, but similar customization programs are already being offered for other models. So we will give a point to each participant, and whose interior is closer to you - e-tron GT or Taycan - decide for yourself.

Audi e-tron GT

2

Porsche taycan

4

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Round 6. Prices

The new Audi e-tron GT promises to visit the Russian market and get a ruble price tag. But in Europe, the price list is already crowned with figures of 100 and 138 thousand euros (9 and 12.4 million rubles). And this is at least 6,000 euros cheaper than the Taycan 4S. Its starting price in Russia is 7.8 million rubles. So one more virtual point goes to Audi - and it's time to sum up the results!

Outcome

Audi e-tron GT

3

Porsche taycan

4

It seems not surprising that the older model is in some ways better than the newcomer. A little faster, a little more sophisticated and a little more expensive. But if you were choosing between the Audi e-tron GT and the Porsche Taycan: whose key would you be holding?