Taycan Turbo vs Audi E-Tron S Prestige

[Skilly]

Anybody consider these against each other? Or perhaps lucky enough to have both in the driveway? The S version is what I am looking at, which is largely new.

I understand the physical differences of an SUV vs. a Sedan, but as look into what is effectively an electric version of the RSQ8, it becomes pretty comparable to the Taycan Turbo for about 1/2 the price once you load up the Taycan to equivalent trim levels. Great looking SUV, same range as the TT, fully loaded its 100K USD vs the same options on a TT for about 180K USD.

 

[Lazy]

Porsche are not vehicles that lie in logical comparison. If it doesn’t get an emotional reaction from you or cost is a priority, the Audi is a better fit.

On another note, hold off on buying the Audi if that’s a 2023 model. The 2024 E-trons are predicted to have a significant range increase at 300+ miles.

 

[Skilly]

Porsche are not vehicles that lie in logical comparison. If it doesn’t get an emotional reaction from you or cost is a priority, the Audi is a better fit.

On another note, hold off on buying the Audi if that’s a 2023 model. The 2024 E-trons are predicted to have a significant range increase at 300+ miles.

Emotion is subjective - the current 911 is a great example...drive a GT3 and then drive a Mercedes GTR Pro; both are identical by the numbers but the 911 is so good, to me, it misses the soulful experience.

The E-Tron is already coming in knocking on the door of 375 miles in range. This S version is a little more thirsty with the 3rd motor, but still manages the same range as a Taycan Turbo. And, the 2023 has its Matrix LEDs enabled, so theres that too.

I guess I would say this...its certainly not a Taycan, BUT if I had the choice between this or the Macan, Audi has my money. It's as performant as an RSQ8 (in europe they are calling it the SQ8) and better balanced with the battery evenly distributing the weight.

 

[hitmonlee]

Obviously personal preference, but iiuc the regular e-tron comes standard with roof rails, something I never use. Wish it was an option like Macan/Cayenne/Taycan CT/ST.

Have you considered the Sportback variant? Looks better imo.

 

[Skilly]

I agree on the roof rails - think I have used them once years ago. With an SUV at least they dont look completely out of place.

My taste of course, but I'm not a fan of the Sportback. I've tried. I think it looks like an SUV going through a mid life crisis.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Emotion is subjective - the current 911 is a great example...drive a GT3 and then drive a Mercedes GTR Pro; both are identical by the numbers but the 911 is so good, to me, it misses the soulful experience.

The E-Tron is already coming in knocking on the door of 375 miles in range. This S version is a little more thirsty with the 3rd motor, but still manages the same range as a Taycan Turbo. And, the 2023 has its Matrix LEDs enabled, so theres that too.

I guess I would say this...its certainly not a Taycan, BUT if I had the choice between this or the Macan, Audi has my money. It's as performant as an RSQ8 (in europe they are calling it the SQ8) and better balanced with the battery evenly distributing the weight.

Where are you seeing an Etron with 375 miles of range?

More like 225. The S rings in at 208.

 

[Skilly]

The 2023 Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron has a 375 mile range: https://ev-database.org/car/1772/Audi-Q8-e-tron-Sportback-55-quattro

beefed up battery to 106kW (from 93)

Specs Summary

• Model Year: 2023
• Price: TBA for US, base model starts at 74,400 Euros in Germany (~$74,700)
• Miles of Range: 305 to 373 miles depending on trim
• Charge Time: 4 hours 45 minutes—six hours on a 22kW level 2 charger, 30 minutes on a public level 3 charger
• Battery warranty: e-Tron line has an 8-year/100K mile warranty
• Dash Screen Size: 10.1-inch top screen, 8.6-inch bottom screen
• Self Driving Capabilities: Yes, including new remote parking
• Trunk Size: 20 cubic feet for the SUV, 18.6 for the Sportback. Both versions have a "frunk" with an additional 2.2 cubic feet of storage
• Torque: 490 ft-lb to 717 ft-lb (664 Nm to 973 Nm), depending on powertrain
• Time to go 0 to 60: TBA
• Horsepower: TBA

 

[KensingtonPark]

As the owner of a Taycan 4S and an eTron S Prestige, I suppose I am in a position to opine. The eTron S is a fantastic SUV, and it has the storage that my wife was looking for in her vehicle. She is an avid golfer and wants to be able to load her clubs and her cart easily, with the occasional trip for multiple golfers. It is the best of Audi from a funtionality, ride and performance standpoint. Simultaneously luxurious and sporty, it is a pleasure to drive and own.

All that said, I would never choose it over my Taycan 4S. The driving experience of the Porsche is really second to none, and I can get my one set of clubs plus cart in fine, even if it is a tiny bit tight.

From a range standpoint, it's not really all that close. The Audi, because they make so few weight compromises, just cannot really compete with the Taycan (at least my 4S). I comfortably get almost 20% greater range without even trying in my Taycan. While there are definitely things the Audi does better than or as well as the Porsche, range is not one of them.

 

[Skilly]

I'm coming from a Turbo and was already rightsized on my range expectation. I came from a 4S before that and the range was better, but I found myself throwing my foot into it, so the difference was closer to 10% in terms of their real world range difference (for me).

I just purchased a McLaren 720s to give me the 'feels' for the driving experience. Its a Spider so fitting a golf club in it, let alone a whole bag, will be a challenge. But I would have to golf for that to bother me! My son does that...come to think of it, that might be a perk that I hadn't thought about!

For me in the end, the range is decent enough for real world; it's a beautiful design (electric or not) and half the cost of the Taycan that I would want in its place. I do wish it had another 40 or 50 miles of usable range. I'd be asking for more than I already had with my Taycan Turbo...its MPGe isn't as good as the E Tron S.

 

[timc3]

Personally I would advise giving up golf and take up something that is actually interesting and then that doesnt become a factor in car choice.

But that Audi is a good looking car in my eyes. There is just something about 95% of Audis that I really don’t like.

 

[Ambroos]

I had an e-tron Sportback Prestige (the big battery one since it was in the US), before it was lemoned and I ordered a base Taycan.

They're extremely different cars in driving feel, very different in target audience, and surprisingly similar in technology. The e-tron is on the MLB Evo.2 platform which the Taycan has evolved from, and has the same gateway and infotainment system with a different UI. So, in many ways they behave the same. Lots of infotainment bugs that exist on the e-tron exist on the Taycan too and vice-versa. Software-wise it's at least 95% the same car.

The e-tron is a ridiculously comfortable car. It just floats over roads. The flat charging curve (150kW, always, up to 80%) means you don't really have to plan charging to be efficient at low state of charge either. The Taycan is really set up for sporty driving. The suspension setup is always a lot more connected to the road, even in comfort, and the steering is a lot more direct.

I'd happily get an e-tron again or a Taycan again, but it really just depends on where I'd be in life (income-wise and needs-wise).

 

[masmole]

The 2023 Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron has a 375 mile range: https://ev-database.org/car/1772/Audi-Q8-e-tron-Sportback-55-quattro

beefed up battery to 106kW (from 93)

Specs Summary

• Model Year: 2023
• Price: TBA for US, base model starts at 74,400 Euros in Germany (~$74,700)
• Miles of Range: 305 to 373 miles depending on trim
• Charge Time: 4 hours 45 minutes—six hours on a 22kW level 2 charger, 30 minutes on a public level 3 charger
• Battery warranty: e-Tron line has an 8-year/100K mile warranty
• Dash Screen Size: 10.1-inch top screen, 8.6-inch bottom screen
• Self Driving Capabilities: Yes, including new remote parking
• Trunk Size: 20 cubic feet for the SUV, 18.6 for the Sportback. Both versions have a "frunk" with an additional 2.2 cubic feet of storage
• Torque: 490 ft-lb to 717 ft-lb (664 Nm to 973 Nm), depending on powertrain
• Time to go 0 to 60: TBA
• Horsepower: TBA

Ah, that’s right! I do remember reading something about that a while back. Audi is refreshing the eTron suv and renaming it as the ”Q8 eTron“ to line up with the nomenclature of their other eTron models. It not only will have more efficient electric motors, but according to those stats the battery capacity will go from 95kWh (85kWH usable) to a whopping 114kWh (106kWh usable) which will certainly improve range significantly.

 

[Andy0565]

Interesting. To me, these are completely different vehicles. I didn’t buy my Taycan because I was bothered about range or practicality. If those are the priority then an ICE vehicle or a Tesla are the answer (Tesla for it’s charging network)

But it seems others see it differently. Is that because of the tax breaks on an EV? Are people buying Taycans because they represent the optimum choice in the EV world? If so, their popularity will surely fall as more and more options become available.

There’s a lot of excitement about the Macan EV but it’s certainly not for me. So what would get me out of my Taycan into another EV? The new Maserati. That’s something really special.

 

[Skilly]

Ah, that’s right! I do remember reading something about that a while back. Audi is refreshing the eTron suv and renaming it as the ”Q8 eTron“ to line up with the nomenclature of their other eTron models. It not only will have more efficient electric motors, but according to those stats the battery capacity will go from 95kWh (85kWH usable) to a whopping 114kWh (106kWh usable) which will certainly improve range significantly.

The 'refresh' is a new (old name), some changes to the grill (which I dont like) and the battery size improvement. The rest seems to be the same. The US version is supposed to debut in April - my guess is the added cost of the battery will have to be passed on to the consumer, so the extra 40 miles of range on my SQ8 - E Tron version will come with a price tag that will make that convenience too much cost.

As for the improvement in range, it looks linear comparing it against battery sizing increases. I doubt the motors are more efficient. At least from the standpoint of physical improvements.

All that weight and each variant still has an improved MPGe over my previous Taycan - hard to overlook, even if this is the Taycan Forum.

 

[Needsdecaf]

The 2023 Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron has a 375 mile range: https://ev-database.org/car/1772/Audi-Q8-e-tron-Sportback-55-quattro

beefed up battery to 106kW (from 93)

Specs Summary

• Model Year: 2023
• Price: TBA for US, base model starts at 74,400 Euros in Germany (~$74,700)
• Miles of Range: 305 to 373 miles depending on trim
• Charge Time: 4 hours 45 minutes—six hours on a 22kW level 2 charger, 30 minutes on a public level 3 charger
• Battery warranty: e-Tron line has an 8-year/100K mile warranty
• Dash Screen Size: 10.1-inch top screen, 8.6-inch bottom screen
• Self Driving Capabilities: Yes, including new remote parking
• Trunk Size: 20 cubic feet for the SUV, 18.6 for the Sportback. Both versions have a "frunk" with an additional 2.2 cubic feet of storage
• Torque: 490 ft-lb to 717 ft-lb (664 Nm to 973 Nm), depending on powertrain
• Time to go 0 to 60: TBA
• Horsepower: TBA

That's WLTP, and an estimate. For EPA, closer to 300.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a41879622/2024-audi-q8-e-tron-details/

Both models utilize a battery with 106.0 kWh of usable capacity. Audi says it is aiming for certain versions of the updated model to have an EPA-estimated range above 300 miles, or a 30 to 40 percent increase over the current model's EPA range that tops out at 222 miles. On the European WLTP test cycle, the Q8 e-tron lineup is rated at between 307 and 373 miles of range.

The 'refresh' is a new (old name), some changes to the grill (which I dont like) and the battery size improvement. The rest seems to be the same. The US version is supposed to debut in April - my guess is the added cost of the battery will have to be passed on to the consumer, so the extra 40 miles of range on my SQ8 - E Tron version will come with a price tag that will make that convenience too much cost.

As for the improvement in range, it looks linear comparing it against battery sizing increases. I doubt the motors are more efficient. At least from the standpoint of physical improvements.

Looks like it's a combo of battery size, aero and new rear motor:

The 2024 Q8 e-tron's bump in range is the product of an upgraded rear motor and improved aerodynamics. The asynchronous motor on the rear axle now uses 14 coils to generate its electromagnetic field, up from 12. This makes the motor more efficient, since it can use less electricity to create the same amount of torque, or produce more torque using the same amount of energy as the old 12-coil design.

Aerodynamics also play a huge role. The restyled front end has decreased the drag coefficient slightly to 0.24 for the Sportback and 0.27 for the SUV. The Q8 e-tron also adds larger wheel spoilers up front on the underbody of the vehicle, channeling airflow around the front wheels to help the large crossover carve through the air more efficiently.

I would be interested in driving the new car. I've driven the old one (non-S) and found it quite luxurious but also pretty slow. Slow plus thirsty = no go in my book. If you're slow, at least be efficient and have a long range. Got the sense Audi really phoned in the original Etron, slapped an EV powertrain into the Q7 /Q8 platform. This new one I bet is a lot better.