Taycan 4S vs Audi e-tron GT review

[andrewh3]

Interesting review. I had considered waiting for the e-tron GT (due 'late 2021' in Australia) to compare in to the Taycan, but in the end decided not wait as:
1. Taycan looks much cleaner, more special - Audi a bit fussy, especially the front.
2. Previous ownership experience with Audi (A6 3.0TDI quattro) was not a positive one - vague steering, really hard, uncomfortable ride, some warranty issues and poor servicing)
3. Trading from a Porsche to an Audi seemed to be going in the wrong direction..
The main positive of the Audi was the better specification and reduced cost of the options, but based on this review looks like we have all made the right choice!

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[jontybutts]

The Audi will have Dynamic Indicators, that's enough to put me off

 

[JimBob]

Goes to show a good EV is more than just a battery stuck on a car.

 

[rich_r]

When the e-tron GT was first released, I thought it looked amazing and better than the Taycan. Now when I look at pics, I can't even imagine what I was thinking. The Taycan has a much sexier, unique and clean look that will age far better (IMO). I do like the physical climate contrrols (but if they were going to bother with those why not include high quality dials for temp atleast instead of buttons). Also, I think they could've/should've created some differntation by making it a hatchback vs a sedan (given Audi has their "sportback" lineup).

I've noticed a common thread now in a lot of etron reviews that mention the more vague steering feel, floatier chassis, etc. With other models that share platforms between the 2 brands (Macan and Cayenne), Porsche inherited an Audi platform (MLB) and basically had to a lot of work to try and "fix" them. Given that the Etron is a Porshce platform I"m surprised that Audi decided to actually make the steering worse. Why not just reap the benefits of copying Porsche's homework? The softer suspension tuning does make some sense given the characters of the 2 brands.

Even given the slightly better value proposition of an E-tron, I'm still not tempted for a few reasons:
1. For the same price as an E-tron GT, I'll be able to spec a Cross Turismo 4 exactly as I'd want it. While it will be a bit slower than the E-tron, I'll gain hatchback practicality, better looks and the ability to better customize it. For example, I don't like either of the wheel choices they offer on the etron, and I dont like that you have to get the 18 way seats to get massage (these are just 2 examples off the top of my head).
2. I could also decide to spend less than either of those 2 and get a base RWD Taycan. Again, it will be slower than the etron but still plenty fast for a daily driver. I'll have better looks, better steering, less weight and better handling for less money! That's a win/win.

When I first heard about the etron GT, I had expected that the base model would've been priced like the RWD taycan but come with the 2 motors (setup like the base CT4) and be a hatchback. To me, that would've made it more compelling and also more consistent with the rest of the Audi lineup. Maybe they wll eventually release a model that sits below the current etron GT.

 

[Mr. 2021 Taycan]

Too bad Volkswagen bought control of Porsche. Now they are General Motors circa 1980, spreading development cost across multiple brands with essentially the same attributes, while marketing to different segments.

The 911 is genuine Porsche, and while an excellent automobile, the Taycan is genuine Volkswagen.

Another insight is that the Taycan and e-tron GT would likely never exist if VW had not bought control of Porsche, but they are losing the uniqueness that is core to the Porsche ownership experience.

 

[chrisk]

here is another review for the RS e-tron GT.
It also mentions that steering is not as direct as the Taycan's (around 5:00) but overall is a positive review for the e-tron and its handling.

 

[JimBob]

So I am guessing no one wants to see Shmee's review of the etron.

 

[Mr.Smith]

Too bad Volkswagen bought control of Porsche. Now they are General Motors circa 1980, spreading development cost across multiple brands with essentially the same attributes, while marketing to different segments.

The 911 is genuine Porsche, and while an excellent automobile, the Taycan is genuine Volkswagen.

Another insight is that the Taycan and e-tron GT would likely never exist if VW had not bought control of Porsche, but they are losing the uniqueness that is core to the Porsche ownership experience.

Only way Porsche can stay alive is by being part of VW.
OEMs can only survive by spreading R&D across as many units as possible.
Look at the MLB platform?

All cars are becoming the same, but with different colors. It's very disheartening

 

[Kingske]

Too bad Volkswagen bought control of Porsche. Now they are General Motors circa 1980, spreading development cost across multiple brands with essentially the same attributes, while marketing to different segments.

The 911 is genuine Porsche, and while an excellent automobile, the Taycan is genuine Volkswagen.

Another insight is that the Taycan and e-tron GT would likely never exist if VW had not bought control of Porsche, but they are losing the uniqueness that is core to the Porsche ownership experience.

The interesting thing is that the Porsche family actually took over Volkswagen while Volkswagen took over the Porsche car company. Those forum members who might not be familiar with this rollercoaster story at the time can catch up on it in this video.

 

[rich_r]

Too bad Volkswagen bought control of Porsche. Now they are General Motors circa 1980, spreading development cost across multiple brands with essentially the same attributes, while marketing to different segments.

The 911 is genuine Porsche, and while an excellent automobile, the Taycan is genuine Volkswagen.

Another insight is that the Taycan and e-tron GT would likely never exist if VW had not bought control of Porsche, but they are losing the uniqueness that is core to the Porsche ownership experience.

Within VW Audi, Porsche and VW are primarily responsible for a platform or 2 but also can build/adapt models from other brands. for example:
VW brand = mqb
Audi= mlb
Porsche = mmb and J1

porsche was responsible for the J1 platform: Audi adapted it to make the etron.

Compared with the bad old days of GM badge engineering I think VW group do a good job of making their platforms flexible enough to create unique looking and feeling models across the brands. Do they go too far sometimes? Maybe...the MLB evo platform underpins everything from the A4 up to the Urus and bentayga! None of the Porsche developed platforms share that fate though. Still, unless you really know what to look for I doubt most would be able to see any similarities between an a4 and a urus!

 

[Deleted member 1697]

way too difficult to use the buttons ...
just drive !
and don't use the buttons while driving and please stop touching the fans !!

 

[RickDC]

Rationally, the Audi e-Tron GT may be the better choice, but emotionally it would be the Porsche Taycan. However, if you choose cars rationally, you buy a Honda.

Or Tesla

 

[Kingske]

I happened to see my first Audi e-torn GT in the wild yesterday, near Ghent (Belgium) where it was driving on an on-ramp to the highway for Brussels. The car was dark grey and looked better (less cluttered) live than in pictures or videos.

 

[JimBob]

I happened to see my first Audi e-torn GT in the wild yesterday, near Ghent (Belgium) where it was driving on an on-ramp to the highway for Brussels. The car was dark grey and looked better (less cluttered) live than in pictures or videos.

Here's a comparison of the Audi Etron GT and Model S. The range on the Etron is a pretty good proxy for the Taycan.

 

[feye]

...

7. Pricing....I optioned a lot of the Turbo standard equipment in my 4S. The car ended up costing USD250K, which was my hard budget limit. A Turbo with all my other options is only 40K / 16% more. Then the local dealer started discounting their inventory by 12.5K while my car was in production. Then the RWD came out at 110K USD, which will kill the residual value of my car....This car will probably depreciate more than the Audi....

Totally agree on all points, but the residual value needs to be seen. The car is very popular (top selling luxury car in Germany last month, even before ICE Merc S Class) which could help it's residual value?

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