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Will the inhabitants of Zuffenhausen and Ingolstadt drink their beer together in the evening and talk about their latest technological marvels? Or do the Porsche and Audi developers look at each other with suspicion? After all, the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT share the platform and thus 40 percent of the parts. Can you really prevent internal cannibalization within the VW Group by having identical vehicles that differ in character?
The differences start with the performance: the RS E-Tron GT will be the most powerful model in the E-Tron GT series and will have 598 hp (440 kW) and 830 Nm on electric all-wheel drive. In overboost mode, even 646 hp (475 kW) come from the electric motors on the front and rear axles. Result: It takes less than 3.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h. For comparison: the Porsche Taycan Turbo S sprints with 761 PS (560 kW) in 2.8 seconds beyond the 100 km / h mark.
Balance between comfort and sport
The unique traction prototype shows that Audi also differs from the Taycan in terms of driving behavior. The GT addition signals that Audi should manage the balance between comfort and sportiness. This is where technology helps: the RS E-Tron GT is the first Audi to be equipped with a three-chamber air spring. Together with the adaptive dampers, very fine adjustments are possible that cover the spectrum from comfortable to dynamic. Audi employees have done without classic roll stabilization – the springs and shock absorbers also take care of this.
In “Dynamic” mode, the E-Tron buzzes ten millimeters lower on the tarmac than “Normal”. Even then, the frame isn’t incredibly tight, but it still allows for comfort. Depending on the driving program, the electric RS understeers more or less. If you take your foot off the accelerator, the steering angle again follows, supported by the locking differential on the rear axle, which gives the GT extraordinary agility, facilitating rapid driving.
The weight cannot be hidden
The Ingolstadt man shares a thing with his brother Taycan. Even the fast-reacting all-wheel drive cannot completely hide the combat weight of around 2.3 tons. If you drive the E-Tron dynamically around the corner with sporty ambitions, the GT strives to the edge of the vehicle, but politely announces its plan. As with the Taycan, the transmission has two gears, with the former only used in “Dynamic” mode or with Launch Control. In the “Efficiency” program, the vehicle starts in second gear and the body is lowered by 22 millimeters for aerodynamic reasons in order to reduce aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption. In addition, the top speed is reduced to 140 km / h, which can be canceled by kickdown.
Rather mediocre place
When it comes to energy recovery, the motto is: sail instead of recovery. That’s why there are two recovery modes, like in the E-Tron electric SUV, but they transfer far less energy into the 90 kWh battery – this should deliver more than 400 electric kilometers. Also in terms of space, the four-door coupe is not as spacious as in the SUV, especially in the rear: the head space of the 4.96-meter-long GT is limited here as in the Porsche. Over a height of 1.85 meters, it slowly becomes tight around the head.
The price of the RS E-Tron GT should be high: nothing is official yet, but even the cheapest Taycan with “only” 530 hp starts at around 129,000 francs. It will not be outdone with the E-Tron GT.
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