Rear Wheel Steering

[OTPSkipper]

It dosnt look like it makes that big a difference. The car already has an excellent turning radius at 19.2 feet. RAS only reduces that by 8”. There may be benefits. But I don’t think big turning radius improvement is one of them.

https://www.autopadre.com/turning-radius/porsche-taycan

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[Murph7355]

Agree with the expense, it’s on another level to cars, think I had a Gallardo last time we met.

just locked the spec, delivery July.

You did. Long time ago.

Taycan's a bit different. Not expecting a lock date for some time here (GTS ST ordered early Feb). Be lucky to be in it much sooner than this time next year.

 

[gnop1950]

It dosnt look like it makes that big a difference. The car already has an excellent turning radius at 19.2 feet. RAS only reduces that by 8”. There may be benefits. But I don’t think big turning radius improvement is one of them.

https://www.autopadre.com/turning-radius/porsche-taycan

Here is a good article on RWS and its advantages. According to the media release it reduces the turning diameter by about 60cm, as mentioned earlier, which is approximately 2 feet (23.622 inches) which seems significant when trying to make a tight turn or get into/out of tight spaces.

 

[OTPSkipper]

Here is a good article on RWS and its advantages. According to the media release it reduces the turning diameter by about 60cm, as mentioned earlier, which is approximately 2 feet (23.622 inches) which seems significant when trying to make a tight turn or get into/out of tight spaces.

This is stretching the info. It says “. At the same time, manoeuvring is easier as the turning circle is reduced by around 60 cm to 11.2 metres. ”. So turning radius is really only improved 30cm. My numbers were in radius. Not diameter. So it matches the table I showed. It is a 5% reduction. I doubt anyone here is a good enough driver to tell the difference.

I’m not saying it isn’t better. I am just saying the base radius is already excellent.

 

[gnop1950]

This is stretching the info. It says “. At the same time, manoeuvring is easier as the turning circle is reduced by around 60 cm to 11.2 metres. ”. So turning radius is really only improved 30cm. My numbers were in radius. Not diameter. So it matches the table I showed. It is a 5% reduction. I doubt anyone here is a good enough driver to tell the difference.

I’m not saying it isn’t better. I am just saying the base radius is already excellent.

And better is bad? That is still almost a 1-foot difference in radius, significant in my book, maybe the difference between scrubbing a wheel and missing the curb The only way to really notice would be to drive two similar cars, one with and one without in situations where RWS could help. Plus there are more advantages than simply decreased turning diameter/radius.

On my 4S it was about a $1500 option (new configurator shows $1620), pretty minor considering the cost of the car. My personal motto when optioning the car was "no regrets" so I added every performance option available (except PSCBs instead of PCCBs), along with way too many other options.

I actually considered getting a Turbo or Turbo S but that is one area, sheer power, that didn't seem worth the added premium, at least to me.

Bottom line is that it all comes down to personal choice. I would have regretted not getting RWS so I added it to my configuration. I personally don't think you can buy a "bad" Taycan whether that is a zero option base model or a maxed-out Turbo S so it all comes down to what you want and can afford.

 

[@lpher]

Very happy I spent a bit more and got RAS, and for me on a daily basis the upside is mostly related to getting the car in and out of my garage, as well as the occational snappy u-turn.

 

[OTPSkipper]

Bottom line is that it all comes down to personal choice. I would have regretted not getting RWS so I added it to my configuration. I personally don't think you can buy a "bad" Taycan whether that is a zero option base model or a maxed-out Turbo S so it all comes down to what you want and can afford.

I think this is what I am trying to say too. Just that it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t have RAS. The thread was very pro RAS. I was just trying to give it some balance.

 

[Archimedes]

I know of two GT3’s that have left the road and had big accidents, both owners said rws was at fault.

That’s funny!

 

[Deleted member 6348]

Driven Taycan’s with and without RWS/RAS (911s as well). I consider it a nice to have if that parking lot maneuverability is important to you. To be clear, it’s not a critical option.

When optioned, you do give up a little rear end feel. That may or may not be important to you, but that feel is important to me. As such, I chose not to spec RAS on my 992 and didn’t give it a second thought for my Taycan.

Yes, the GT3 street cars have RAS, but the GT3 Cup cars do not have RAS. Why? We’re back to rear end feel.

 

[Archimedes]

Yes, the GT3 street cars have RAS, but the GT3 Cup cars do not have RAS. Why? We’re back to rear end feel.

RWS isn’t on the Cup car because four wheel steering is banned. It’s considered a driver aid and is banned from pretty much every major race series. Nothing to do with rear end feel.

 

[satchurator]

Pointing out the mathematical turning radius difference is a somewhat objective comparison, but it does not characterize the subjective difference in feel. Nor does it consider the posture and movement of the car. Say RAS and non-RAS had identical turning radii - one would have a sweeping fixed rear vs RAS’s tracking through an arc (acknowledging that there is still sweep, just less - making a point here). Even if I could achieve the same turning radius with non-RAS, I may have trailed my wheels over a curb or scraped against a bollard.

Gotta say that this is not a right or wrong thing. Just by sharing my enthusiasm for RAS, the things that I appreciate about it, doesn’t mean I’m dissing those of you who opted not to spec it. We each have different preferences and use cases. Each to their own!

 

[andrewh3]

A few times I have forgotten to close the port (yes, warning on dash, so you need to get back out and close). I have also had several times limited space to open the port fully due to adjacent concrete pillars, etc. So would definitely specify this next time.

 

[Deleted member 6348]

RWS isn’t on the Cup car because four wheel steering is banned. It’s considered a driver aid and is banned from pretty much every major race series. Nothing to do with rear end feel.

It’s a one make spec series. The spec is what Porsche says it is and Porsche says no RAS.

The rear end feel issue is documented. When you’re pushing the car, the difference is readily apparent.

RAS is a nice option that is not without its compromises.

 

[Archimedes]

It’s a one make spec series. The spec is what Porsche says it is and Porsche says no RAS.

The rear end feel issue is documented. When you’re pushing the car, the difference is readily apparent.

RAS is a nice option that is not without its compromises.

Because it’s a driver aid, not because of feel, and because its siblings, the R and RSR can’t have it. Of course it feels different, but that doesn’t mean anything if the driver can adapt to it.

Rear steer has been extensively tested on race cars over the past fifteen years, including F1, and was never found to be a negative to lap time. It was neutral to slightly positive, depending upon the platform.

You honestly think that Porsche put RAS on the GT3 and RS assuming that it will reduce feel and make the car slower?

 

[Fish Fingers]

My personal thoughts, from someone with no engineering or racing background whatsoever and who just drives his Taycan RWD as a daily.....

I think turn in going forward is really excellent.
I assume its due to lack of an engine upfront, that the wheels can turn 'sharper'?
I am surprised at how often - when pulling out of tight 'nose to tail' on street parking - that I can get the nose out (without touching the car in front) in one go.
Best car I have ever had for it.

Reversing is the opposite. I have to do a 90° turn to reverse into my drive. Its a big car with poor rearward visibility and I overshoot nearly every time.

Never was an issue on any other car I've owned.

I now resort to using the lines on the camera, but still often have to do a 3 pointer.
Pretty sure RAS would be beneficial here.

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