4S - Is all wheel drive better then rear wheel drive

[kern417]

if you can make it work, i'd recommend getting a separate AWD car (SUV) for hauling, long road trips, and winter driving. that's what we did. then the rwd taycan was less of a sacrifice while getting better range, and imo better driving dynamics for daily fun compared to awd. RWD with performance battery plus has the best range and efficiency out of all the taycan options.

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[prj]

The RWD does not really have better "driving dynamics", idk why that gets thrown around so much here.
The car is still very heavy, it's just less power and less traction.

Comparing RWD to 4S in any dynamic performance metric the 4S is ahead. Whether it's track time, quarter mile time or just getting off the line faster.

The RWD is cheaper and for those who don't prioritize performance, that's it. It's not superior in any way from the dynamics.

 

[DerekS]

Searching for my first Taycan 4 - Lost 3 so far, indecision usually the issue, but this damn board isn't helping - yes of course it helping just frustrated -
Question - is all we drive better than 2 wheel rear drive - I always wanted 4 wheel drive living in Colorado, granted we are turning into a desert, but what are your thoughts
Thanks,
jkolorado

The RWD is a little slow off the line, but passing power more than sufficient. If you're okay with the 0-60 on it, the RWD has a bit better range too.

I upgraded from RWD to GTS and was very happy wiht the performance jump.

 

[69Mach390]

The RWD does not really have better "driving dynamics", idk why that gets thrown around so much here.

Because weight. 300 lbs does matter.

Now whether or not you’ll notice it in a 5,000 lb car is another matter.

Do you notice how your car drives differently with 2 extra passengers? I do with acceleration, but not so much with handling/braking.

Not because it doesn’t matter (it does) but more because it’s easy to push acceleration limits (just floor it), but I almost never push handling and braking to the limits.

 

[bob66hall]

I grew up in Colorado. All it takes is one early fall, or late spring surprise snowstorm to regret owning RWD. Be patient, and find your AWD. THEN RELAX AND ENJOY THE RIDE. Take it from a 4S owner.

 

[prj]

Because weight. 300 lbs does matter.

Now whether or not you’ll notice it in a 5,000 lb car is another matter.

Do you notice how your car drives differently with 2 extra passengers? I do with acceleration, but not so much with handling/braking.

150kg is nothing on a car that weighs 2200kg. It's not anything you're going to feel.
It's less than 10% the weight but the 4S has like 50% more power stock, and double the power tuned.

For handling PTV at rear diff is going to make way more difference than the little extra weight.

 

[f1eng]

150kg is nothing on a car that weighs 2200kg. It's not anything you're going to feel.

Depends how good a driver you are

Anybody can get the full performance of more power, it takes zero skill.
True very few drivers will be able to feel and benefit from a 6% weight reduction.

On a Formula 1 car 1% more weight is about 0.1 secs per lap, so 6% would often be the difference between pole position and 10th on the grid.

So it is not negligible but true, most drivers never get anywhere near braking and handling limits.

 

[prj]

Depends how good a driver you are

Don't take things out of context please.

4S has 6% more weight, but it also has 50% more power.
It's going to be MUCH faster around any kind of track, period.

 

[Sly_North]

RWD is much easier to oversteer (even at normal speed), giving a more Porsche-like driving feeling.
AWD accelerates much faster, giving a more Porsche worthy push. Making the rear kick out would require much higher speed - safe only on circuit?

Pick whichever feeling you prefer - forward acceleration or lateral playfulness. I love having to correct the front wheel direction whenever I'm playing with my right foot on the rear wheels.

RWD - "this one is for the drivers"

 

[prj]

RWD is much easier to oversteer (even at normal speed)

Because it has no traction.
But you know, with a tuned ASG it will soon be possible to put any car in RWD mode.

Btw, my Turbo S went sideways just fine...

 

[Avantgarde]

Because weight. 300 lbs does matter.

Now whether or not you’ll notice it in a 5,000 lb car is another matter.

Do you notice how your car drives differently with 2 extra passengers? I do with acceleration, but not so much with handling/braking.

Not because it doesn’t matter (it does) but more because it’s easy to push acceleration limits (just floor it), but I almost never push handling and braking to the limits.

I think it is less about whether you realize the overall weight reduction in your track times but the fact that entire weight saving comes from the front axle & making the front feel extra agile giving it a very sharp turn-in (reminds me my cayman TBH). This difference in handling is real and documented many times (like the videos posted above). That does not mean it makes RWD faster than 4s around a track, absolutely not. And it does not have to be. Handling "feel" is more than that IMO. I personally prefer RWD's handling feel best among the portfolio (especially with steel suspension - even though PRJ does not agree with this, we agree to disagree) The steering feels the most communicative among all and also very direct with sharpest turn-in.

It actually performs surprisingly well in light snow too. It's nothing like a RWD BMW for example, probably because it still has a lot of weight sitting on rear tires.

The real consideration with RWD (especially first gen) I think is the torque. They put the smaller motor unit on the back, which is high in HP but limited by how much torque it can produce given the natural limit from the 600AMP single inverter. When you double the motors you suddenly have a lot more extra torque to play with which you don't have in a RWD. Difference mostly goes away as the motor revs up, since the motor is still capable of healthy HP and keeps its torque till high revs. 800V and a very small but high energy density motor both contribute to this oddly flat torque curve unusual in a production car. In fact, the Taycan RWD PB+ has the highest HP-to-Torque (Nm) ratios of any production car in history. To put that in perspective:

If anyone can think of another higher revving high HP - low Torque motor let me know. Unique curve feels more like more like a motorcyle than a typical "punchy" EV (especially with the MAP EV tune).

I thought it is interesting and someone should know getting into one of these cars. Absolutely not the car to get if you want the initial "punch" especially within 0-30 mph.

I think there is no question for the same price all-in-all 4S would be a better value for most people set aside true handling purists. But feels like there are a LOT more RWDs for sale in the market and it is easier to find one that meets ones preferences in options/colors at a lower price.

 

[69Mach390]

150kg is nothing on a car that weighs 2200kg. It's not anything you're going to feel.
It's less than 10% the weight but the 4S has like 50% more power stock, and double the power tuned.

For handling PTV at rear diff is going to make way more difference than the little extra weight.

I don’t disagree.

I was just answering your question as to why it gets thrown around here so much.

People care about different things. Heck Porsche spends significant money to drop 100 lbs in certain models let alone 300.

Personally? I would much rather have the extra horsepower and traction.

 

[sufcrusher]

Any recuperation and you have 70-30 front to rear target split.

Meaning under those conditions a RWD would be lacking ~70% recuperation and increasing front brake wear instead.

Assuming it's true that RWD is more efficient (as everybody claims and I can't be bothered to double check), that difference is a lot smaller than in an equivalent ICE comparison.

 

[Crazymind]

I had a gen 1.1 RWD loaner while my 4S was in for warranty repair… I was very impressed!
Handling and general feel was a match to my 911…
RWD has got less punch we all agree but…
I thought I was enjoying more the power delivery on winding roads with a pleasant satisfaction.
In my 4S I feel there is to much power for normal roads and I feel like I can never go near the limit…
In terms of weight I could definitely feel the difference from my CT.
So, unless 4WD is needed… I wouldn’t reject the RWD option.

 

[prj]

In terms of weight I could definitely feel the difference from my CT.

RWD sedan to 4WD CT is an apples to oranges comparison.

The Sedan is lighter, and the RWD is even lighter. If it has the smaller battery even more so.
The RWD probably has less options.
The CT has a much softer tuned suspension than the sedan, so that already makes a difference handling feel wise.

Going RWD to 4S Sedan the 4S is just better.

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