Audi e-tron GT Quattro vs Porsche Taycan – Super EV battle

Audi has announced that the e-tron GT electric coupe will arrive in South Africa in the first quarter of 2022.

As with the markets where this Audi is already available, its biggest local competitor comes from its sister company Porsche, in the form of the electric Taycan.

With a South African starting price of R2,277,000, the entry-level Taycan goes up against the e-tron GT Quattro – which has a German starting price of €99,800 (R1.7 million).

Below, we see what sets these high-end electric vehicles apart.

Features

In terms of features and abilities, the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT Quattro are two of the most cutting-edge vehicles on the market today, and they share a large number of traits.

Not only are they the first all-electric coupes that were produced by these companies, they also offer the newest technologies to make the transition from internal-combustion cars to electric vehicles a bit easier.

The Audi provides a “classic gran turismo” ambience with low-mounted seats, a recycled polyester upholstery, a wide centre console, and a driver-focused dash.

In contrast, the Porsche aims for a sporty atmosphere – as it comes with a curved instrument cluster, a partial-leather interior, more displays, and flat surfaces throughout the cabin.

A range of premium equipment is installed in each of these high-end EVs.

Both get digital instrument clusters, electrically-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, cabin pre-climatisation, keyless entry and drive, cruise control, lane keep assist, brake assist, and LED interior lighting.

The Audi features the MMI infotainment system that consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch central display, while the Porsche sees the fitment of a 16.8-inch curved instrument panel alongside a dual-screen infotainment set-up.

Both systems support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, touch inputs, and voice commands – and an optional 16-speaker sound system is available in either.

On top of this, the e-tron GT adds a panoramic sunroof, a drive mode selector, and access to the myAudi app features.

This smartphone app allows the owner to monitor the vehicle’s charge and switch on the air-conditioning before getting in.

The Taycan also gets multiple drive modes, and brings an automatic tailgate and auto-deploying door handles to the table.

More common features like multifunction steering wheels, automatic headlights, parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers are fitted as well – but that is to be expected from cars of this calibre.

With the aim of providing more space for rear-seat passengers, both the Audi and Porsche then have built-in recesses in the battery to provide spacious footwells in the back.

Additional clever engineering tricks that are shared between the siblings include flat-panel underbodies, active spoilers, and air curtains that all work together to improve aerodynamics.

In the practicality department, the Taycan offers 366 litres of storage in the rear and 81 litres in the front, while the Audi supports 405 litres and 81 litres, respectively.

Performance

Under the shell, the Audi e-tron GT Quattro and Porsche Taycan are very similar. Both come with a 93.4kWh battery that can be charged from 5% to 80% in 23 minutes.

Both also have a dual-speed transmission on the rear axle and an energy recuperation system that allows up to 0.3g of engine braking.

Output for this Taycan was downtuned due to its entry-level status, however, and it “only” makes 300kW and 345Nm.

This is good for a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h in the rear-wheel-drive Porsche.

The e-tron GT Quattro generates 350kW and 630Nm, sprints to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 245km/h.

Power is then put down via an adaptive all-wheel-drive system, with a front-wheel bias.

The Audi boasts a maximum driving range of 488km, while the Porsche’s maximum driving range is rated at 484km.

Price

The Porsche Taycan has a South African starting price of R2,227,000.

Each purchase includes a 3-year/100,000km Driveplan maintenance agreement.

The South African price for the Audi e-tron GT Quattro has not been announced yet, and it currently has a starting price of around R1.7 million (converted) in Germany.