Until now, Audi has relied fully on SUVs for e-mobility with the large E-Tron and the more compact Q4 E-Tron Sportback. A new electric flagship has now been available for a few months: the Audi E-Tron GT is supposed to heat up the growing competition in the sports sedan segment for the top challenger Tesla Model S.
To do this, Audi used the J1-E platform from VW’s sister company Porsche: With the Taycan electric sports sedan, which was launched in 2020, the E-Tron GT shares 40 percent of the parts – enough air to separate itself from its technology brother take off. The first test of the top model RS E-Tron GT should show whether the Audi can pass the electric plug to the similarly powerful Taycan Turbo – or even power it off?
Optics: futuristic vs. aggressive
When it comes to optics, the two manufacturers are taking different approaches: On the one hand, the Taycan, with its completely different appearance compared to other Porsche models, which calls out to us: I am the future!
On the other hand, the E-Tron GT, which could just as easily represent the next evolutionary stage of the current A7 design. Both vehicles are automotive alpha animals, which are characterized by a width of around two meters each – without exterior mirrors – and the rear view with massive use of LED elements. Dislocated heads on the side of the road provoke both of them. Which design, the futuristic Porsche or the aggressive Audi, represents the more successful – is ultimately a matter of taste.
Audi RS E-Tron GT in numbers
drive 2 electric motors, 598 PS (440 kW), overboost 646 PS (475 kW), 830 Nm @ 1 / min, 2-stage automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance 0–100 km / h 3.3 s, top 250 km / h (limited), range WLTP 390–465 km
Dimensions Length / width / height 4.99 / 1.96 / 1.41 m, weight 2420 kg, loading space f / h 81/350 l
environment Consumption WLTP 21.6 kWh / 100 km, 0 g / km CO2, Energy A
Prices from 151,650 francs
drive 2 electric motors, 598 PS (440 kW), overboost 646 PS (475 kW), 830 Nm @ 1 / min, 2-stage automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance 0–100 km / h 3.3 s, top 250 km / h (limited), range WLTP 390–465 km
Dimensions Length / width / height 4.99 / 1.96 / 1.41 m, weight 2420 kg, loading space f / h 81/350 l
environment Consumption WLTP 21.6 kWh / 100 km, 0 g / km CO2, Energy A
Prices from 151,650 francs
Interior: digital vs. functional
In the cockpit, too, it is in the eye of the beholder which digital menu is more tasteful. Here again, it is the Porsche that sets the digital bar high with high-resolution digital fittings, the two central displays for infotainment and air conditioning and the optional screen for the co-pilot.
Audi, on the other hand, relies on the familiar layout with an equally impressive virtual cockpit, but a relatively small central infotainment display. For ventilation there are buttons instead of a touchscreen: rather old-school, but more user-friendly. There is no additional display for the front passenger, but – much more important – a head-up display that projects all information razor-sharp into the field of vision.
In the space, the two almost 2.4 ton heavy hums drive at eye level: The long wheelbase provides ample legroom in the rear, but the sloping roofline provides slightly restricted headroom. The trunk in the Porsche swallows a little more (366 l) than in the Audi (350 l) – there is additional storage space (80 l) under the front hood of both.
Porsche Taycan Turbo in numbers
drive 2 electric motors, 625 PS (460 kW), overboost 680 PS (500 kW), 850 Nm @ 1 / min, 2-stage automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance 0–100 km / h 3.1 s, top 260 km / h (limited), range WLTP 381–450 km
Dimensions length / width / height 4.96 / 1.97 / 1.38 m, weight 2380 kg, loading space f / h 81/366 l
environment Consumption WLTP 26.6 kWh / 100 km, 0 g / km CO2, Energy A
Prices from 185,000 francs
drive 2 electric motors, 625 PS (460 kW), overboost 680 PS (500 kW), 850 Nm @ 1 / min, 2-stage automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance 0–100 km / h 3.1 s, top 260 km / h (limited), range WLTP 381–450 km
Dimensions length / width / height 4.96 / 1.97 / 1.38 m, weight 2380 kg, loading space f / h 81/366 l
environment Consumption WLTP 26.6 kWh / 100 km, 0 g / km CO2, Energy A
Prices from 185,000 francs
Driving performance: fast vs. even faster
If we look at the bare numbers, we see: The RS E-Tron GT maintains a respectful distance from its technology brother. Even the second most powerful Taycan variant, Turbo, with a maximum of 680 hp, has exactly 34 hp more on the fat 21-inch rollers than the Audi, which has a maximum of 646 hp with overboost.
On paper, the Taycan shoots a blink of an eye to the 100 km / h mark in 3.1 seconds than the Audi (3.3 s). And should the two opponents meet on the German autobahn, the Porsche would also have the broad nose ahead: It is only braked electrically at 260 km / h, the Audi at 250 km / h.
Driving behavior: sportier vs. more comfortable
What the data theoretically shows can also be experienced in practice on the road: the Porsche is more responsive, offers a more precise steering feel and is generally more active – the Taycan carries Porsche’s sports philosophy into the electric era.
But the RS E-Tron GT is by no means a lame duck. On the contrary: it runs forward just as vehemently, steers precisely and hides its mighty fighting weight just as skilfully as the Porsche. But even in the “Give it your all!” Dynamic mode, it still offers a higher level of residual comfort and never rumbles over bumps.
And the two manufacturers also interpret the inwardly carried electric sound differently: While the Taycan sounds like Captain Future on approach, the RS E-Tron GT (for a surcharge) is almost booming like its V8 combustion brothers – we like.
Range: Audi slightly ahead
The differences are noticeable on the road – both electric sleds are the same at the charging station. Both have Porsche’s 800-volt technology on board, with which a maximum of 270 kW is drawn from the fast charger. The 93 kWh battery (usable approx. 83 kWh) is 80 percent full again after around 20 minutes. With a full battery, the E-Tron runs a few kilometers further than the Taycan thanks to its slightly lower consumption: Audi promises a maximum of 465 kilometers, Porsche around 450 kilometers, although in practice the values are closer to 400 kilometers.
Conclusion: Porsche sportier, Audi cheaper
The Taycan is the more future-oriented vehicle in this comparison – be it in the design, in the interior or in details such as the extendable door handles and the cool, swinging loading flaps. As expected, the Porsche is also the more active and dynamic vehicle.
The E-Tron is a real electric gran turismo, which can also handle quick cornering, but much rather cruises quickly over alpine passes. The RS E-Tron GT is, apart from the drive, not radically different from previous Audis – and that is exactly what the high-income group of buyers might like.
Speaking of which: Neither of them are economical rolls. However, the RS E-Tron GT from 151,650 francs is over 33,000 francs cheaper than the slightly more powerful Porsche Taycan Turbo, which starts from 185,000 francs. For this, the Porsche is equipped with roll stabilization, which ensures even more agility, as standard equipment.