The argument for RAS

[B61]

No need to apologize.

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[Jhenson29]

Your model may differ from mine, but RAS requires air suspension for the RWD version (see screenshot), and I am simply pointing that out so future buyers will be ready for that additional spend.

No. You explicitly prefaced the list as “reasons RAS is a game changer”. So you are not simply “pointing it out”.

And I didn’t say AS isn’t required for RAS. What I said is that that the benefits of AS are irrelevant when considering RAS because AS can be optioned on its own. If RAS was required for AS (which it’s not) then you could argue that AS is great and you should get RAS to get AS. But as it stands, AS as is relates to a list of reasons why a person should option RAS is not relevant.

Additionally, I do have a different model, a 4S with AS standard and no RAS. But it’s also not relevant.

You say the driving experience is great without it and I did not try to debate that argument.

You said getting RAS is “paying a premium for a great driving experience” which implies the driving experience is not great without RAS. Otherwise, what would you be paying for to get the “great driving experience” if it’s already great? It therefore must not be great without RAS to justify paying for it to obtain the “great driving experience”.
If that’s not what you meant, then you chose your words incorrectly, which is not my fault, so please don’t be upset with me.

And lastly, just FYI, I wasn’t even going to respond to this thread at all, except that you explicitly solicited responses, including ones that disagree with you, such as mine.

 

[Jhenson29]

All due respect, you cannot miss what you've never had.

I think the sentiment that’s being expressed is that they don’t regret not optioning it, as I do not.

And if you only hear from people that optioned it, your gong to have a bias In your sample from people who already thought it was important enough to option in the first place. It cuts both ways.

 

[Levee]

This is why I'd recommend RAS!!

 

[4sCT21]

This is why I'd recommend RAS!!

That‘s one stunning looking profile pic and oh yes, a tight squeeze!

 

[atebit]

I would’ve gotten this + Night Vision Assist if I didn’t have to buy off the rack because supply chain.

 

[hitmonlee]

"Don't have it, rarely miss it" - if buyers were guided by this then nobody would spec the feature, and I feel sorry for those people! Just sayin....

All due respect, you cannot miss what you've never had.

Preach. It's difficult for existing Taycan owners to be unbiased on this, as they either spec'ed RAS or they didn't, and it would be natural for them to try to justify the decisions they made. Applies to every other option as well.

 

[4thPcar]

Preach. It's difficult for existing Taycan owners to be unbiased on this, as they either spec'ed RAS or they didn't, and it would be natural for them to try to justify the decisions they made. Applies to every other option as well.

Once more, I decided to post this as I've seen prospective buyers debating on the spend. It was intended to give them my perspective in detail, with examples. It wasn't intended to embarrass owners that didn't spec it or to justify for those that did. If it was a "yawner" of a feature then you'd hear that from me and others elsewhere on this forum. This is a feature where I absolutely CAN tell a difference as I test drove cars without it. The difference is manifest in the examples I've provided. And yes, I do preach about it, because I am enthusiastic about it. Otherwise, why would I post at all?

I didn't expect my post to get so many owners exercised on this topic, but you're entitled to your opinion. Some future buyers have taken in my advice in the manner in which it was intended, so the post has served its purpose. I'm not sure the detractors gained much from trying to express an opposing view, but it didn't change my opinion, for sure.

If you did not spec RAS and you either "don't miss it" or "don't regret not getting it" then more power to you. Enjoy your car without it.

 

[Jhenson29]

It wasn't intended to embarrass owners

I didn’t see anyone who was embarrassed.

I didn't expect my post to get so many owners exercised on this topic

Again, you explicitly requested responses including ones that disagree. I’m absolutely baffled by your surprise.

 

[OzzieT]

I've been on some other threads advising future owners on the benefits of Rear Axle Steering (and seeing pushback from others), so I thought I'd summarize here all the reasons its a game changer for me. I live in SoCal where our roads are probably much wider than in Europe so take this advice and multiply by 2 if you live there or other more mature communities.

1. Unlike some other features that don't impact performance or are not used often (great example: fake noise, sport chrono clock, any cosmetics), and unless you are driving in circles to show off your new ride, you will use RAS, literally every time you take out the car. Parking is easier in tight places. The chance of curbs grinding your wheels is slightly diminished.

2. You can turn the car like its a spinning top in tight places. Good example: If you are parking at spots that are angled to the curb, you can pull out, turn the wheel the other way, and return in the direction from whence you came.

3. Its a big car and if you are coming from a smaller Porsche, like a 911, you'll appreciate the feature. If you are in a parking lot, did not find a space in the lane you went down, you can turn around without doing a 3-pt turn. I think I can turn in tighter spaces with this car than I could in my 911.

4. In the US, RAS requires air suspension (no idea why, anybody know?). You'll be glad you bought that too, the ride is amazingly smooth. I won't get into the manual raising and lowering benefit here which strikes me a bit gimmicky.

5. When on the freeway, I am able to jet out of tight traffic, changing lanes quickly as if the other cars are standing still. This may be my imagination, but I attribute it to RAS. Again, coming off a 911S my expectations of a sport car driving experience were high. The car is meeting them.

6. Finally, this is a future-proofing feature. I expect more cars will boast RAS. You are paying a premium for a great driving experience. You are a dime and dollar short (compared to the MSRP overall) by not including this in your spec

Go ahead, tell me I am right or I am wrong!

Great write up @4thPcar. You are right. In fact I’ve checked with everyone who knows you and they advise you have NEVER been wrong.

 

[OzzieT]

Why I love this forum!
A detailed, accurate and passionate argument for a single option out of 100s.
I have ordered 2Taycans neither with RAS but I may regret it as the new one has 21” wheels. I think RAS helps MORE than ‘slightly’ with avoiding curbs.

The Air suspension necessity must be due to mechanical incompatibility but it’s no problem as if you can only afford 1 option on a RWD Taycan it MUST be Air suspension!
Then RAS?!
Wanting springs the same as wanting a manual gearbox with V8 ICE.
(NOT available, before anyone asks!)

just watched an Ozzie review of RWD Taycan with LOADS of extras (obviously as it’s a press car) but no Air Suspension!

Streuth cobber! Nobody wants to hoon around in that!

Gday mates

Maaate!!

 

[Archimedes]

Preach. It's difficult for existing Taycan owners to be unbiased on this, as they either spec'ed RAS or they didn't, and it would be natural for them to try to justify the decisions they made. Applies to every other option as well.

Well, many of us who chose RAS actually went and drove cars with it before we bought, so we got to feel it in action before we decided it was worth it. I originally did not want it, but after driving a Turbo with it, I was sold.

The fact is, if one has never owned a car with a certain option, their opinion on it is pretty useless. And I’d be the first to tell you that I regret certain options now that I have my car.

 

[Jhenson29]

The fact is, if one has never owned a car with a certain option, their opinion on it is pretty useless.

Not a fact. An opinion. And a pretty useless one at that.

People’s opinion of the 19.2kW charger is useless if they didn’t option? They can’t calculate their needs and figure it out?

I didn’t option the pano roof. I don’t like glass roofs; any of them. I don’t like how they look on the outside or inside. I’d pay more to not have it. But my opinion is useless because I didn’t option it?

FFS, I could go on and on, but anyone who didn’t option something had some reason for not doing so. Maybe it’s applicable to another person and maybe it’s not. That’s for the reader to decide. But for you or another to dismiss all opinions of anyone who didn’t tick the option in question without qualification is silly.

Quite the echo chamber, but it seems that’s all the OP wanted all along anyway.

 

[soul.electrified]

Once more, I decided to post this as I've seen prospective buyers debating on the spend. It was intended to give them my perspective in detail, with examples. It wasn't intended to embarrass owners that didn't spec it or to justify for those that did. If it was a "yawner" of a feature then you'd hear that from me and others elsewhere on this forum. This is a feature where I absolutely CAN tell a difference as I test drove cars without it. The difference is manifest in the examples I've provided. And yes, I do preach about it, because I am enthusiastic about it. Otherwise, why would I post at all?

I didn't expect my post to get so many owners exercised on this topic, but you're entitled to your opinion. Some future buyers have taken in my advice in the manner in which it was intended, so the post has served its purpose. I'm not sure the detractors gained much from trying to express an opposing view, but it didn't change my opinion, for sure.

If you did not spec RAS and you either "don't miss it" or "don't regret not getting it" then more power to you. Enjoy your car without it.

Your post is appreciated. There are no Taycans close to me to test drive. I ordered my CT blindly and relied on forum input to finalize my configuration. RAS was one of the options I added based on experiences shared here.

 

[4thPcar]

Your post is appreciated. There are no Taycans close to me to test drive. I ordered my CT blindly and relied on forum input to finalize my configuration. RAS was one of the options I added based on experiences shared here.

I notice you have (or had) a 911S Cab! I gave up mine for the Taycan. You'll love the car AND the RAS!

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