Electric Cars
Audi E-Tron GT
Audi

How the new Audi E-Tron GT compares to the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S

Audi's new Taycan-based electric super sedan comes in GT and RS versions

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Audi has revealed the production version of its electric E-Tron GT, a four-door, five-seat sedan based on the same platform as the Porsche Taycan. It was first shown off in concept form back in 2018.

As well as its Porsche sibling (both companies are owned by the Volkswagen Group), the E-Tron GT will go up against the new Plaid versions of the Tesla Model S, also due out in the coming months.

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The GT is Audi's second electric car and joins the E-Tron SUV as part of a major shift to electrification by Audi and the rest of the VW Group.. The new car is available in two versions, the regular GT and the faster, more expensive GT RS, which becomes the first electric vehicle to carry Audi's RS badge.

Here is how the Audi E-Tron GT compares to its Porsche Taycan sibling and the Tesla Model S.

Audi E-Tron GT vs Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S: Battery size and range

New 2021 Tesla Model SThe Tesla Model S has a slightly larger battery than its rivals Tesla

Both versions of the new Audi have a pair of electric motors, one at the front and one at the back. They also both draw power from a large battery pack in the floor of the vehicle. Just like the Porsche Taycan, this battery is shaped to improve space for rear passengers by having 'foot garages' to create extra leg room and allow passengers to sit lower, thus improving head room.

The E-Tron GT and Porsche Taycan both have a 93.4kWh battery pack, however the lesser Taycan 4S and regular Taycan are also offered with a smaller 79.2kWh option. All versions of the Model S sold in 2021 have a 100kWh battery.

Using the US EPA testing standard, the E-Tron GT has a range of 283 miles, or 232 miles for the more powerful RS variant. The Porsche Taycan 4S has a range of 199 miles, or 227 miles with the larger battery. The Taycan Turbo has a range of 201 miles and the flagship Turbo S manages 192 miles – however, the Taycan has been proven by some drivers to go significantly further than the EPA figures suggest.

Despite that, the Tesla Model S is still the winner when it comes to estimated range, with 412 miles for the Long Range version, 390 miles for the Plaid and a claimed 520 miles for the Plaid Plus, due towards the end of the year.

Audi E-Tron GT vs Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S: Performance

Audi E-Tron GTAudi is selling the E-tron GT and quicker E-Tron GT RSAudi

As for the powertrain, the Audi and Porsche have the same dual-motor setup (apart from the new, single-motor and rear-wheel-drive entry-level Taycan). The Tesla Model S Long Range has the same dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration, while the new Plaid and Plaid Plus models have Tesla's new three-motor drivetrain.

There is a big difference between the power outputs of these vehicles. The Porsche Taycan ranges from 402 horsepower for the single motor model, rising to 522hp for the Taycan 4S, then 670hp for the Turbo and 750hp for the Turbo S – however, those latter figures are only available briefly when Launch Control is enabled.

The regular Audi E-Tron GT has a maximum output of 522hp, while the GT RS has 637hp. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model S Long Range has approximately 415hp, far below the huge 1,020 and 1,100hp outputs of the Plaid and Plaid Plus vehicles.

The power outputs roughly match the 0-60mph times of these electric cars. The least quick is the entry-level Taycan with a time of 5.1 seconds, followed by the 3.8 second time of the Taycan 4S.

Porsche Taycan familyThe Porsche Taycan EV family has four members Porsche

After this, the acceleration stats start to mimic those of rollercoasters and supercars. The Audi E-Tron GT hits 60mph in 3.9 seconds and the more powerful RS model posts a time of 3.1 seconds. The Taycan Turbo completes the sprint in 3.0 seconds and the Turbo S takes this down to just 2.6 seconds, making it half a second quicker than its E-Tron GT RS sibling.

The Tesla Model S Long Range has a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds, but where things step up to another level is with the Model S Plaid, with a claimed time of 1.99 seconds, and the Plaid Plus which Tesla says can hit 60mph in under 1.99 seconds.

As for top speed, the E-Tron RS, Taycan 4S and Tesla Model S Long Range can all manage 155mph. The regular Taycan is capable of 143mph.

Both the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S can manage 161mph, and Tesla claims the Plaid versions of its Model S can crack 200mph.

Audi E-Tron GT vs Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S: Price

Audi E-Tron GTThe E-Tron GT starts at $99,900Audi

The new Audi is priced from $99,900 for the regular model and from $107,100 for the quicker RS version. The Porsche Taycan starts at $79,900; this rises to $103,800 for the dual-motor Taycan 4S, then to $150,900 for the Taycan Turbo and $185,000 for the flagship Turbo S.

The Tesla Model S starts at $79,990 for the Long Range and increases to $119,990 for the Plaid and $139,990 for the Plaid Plus. Considering the Tesla's performance and range, these prices represent good value compared to the Audi and Porsche. But, of course, there is much more to this comparison than statistics, and we look forward to learning more about the cars in due course.

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