Photo: Audi media
At first, we felt like being taken away by an electric storm: this month, Audi announced the simultaneous debut of the e-tron GT quattro (476 PS) and the RS e-tron GT (598 PS). This is definitely an irresistible pair of shiny advanced automobiles, packed with the latest German tech gems. Then, we had a deja-vu generated by these two spectacular four-door coupés: might they be just another kind of Porsche Taycan, after all?
Checked their looks, then few facts and data and… the answer is yes. The wheelbase is the same for both the Audi and the Porsche (talking about 9.5 ft/2.9 m), while the technical platform is the same (two AC synchronous electric motors, one for each axle with a two-speed automatic gearbox on the rear axle). Cool cars, nothing to say, but Audi promised something way different back then, in 2018.
Remember the Audi e-tron Sportback Concept and the PB18 e-tron Concept, first shown three years ago at Pebble Beach Automotive Week in Monterey, California? Oh, my goodness! That was a really breathtaking signature achievement for Gael Buzyn and his team of designers from the Audi Design Loft in Malibu!
Taking inspiration from the brands’ successful saga in the Le Mans racing series and from the Audi Aicon Concept, shown earlier in 2017, the PB18 e-tron Concept looked like the perfect vector for the further development of a top high-performance automobile under the four rings badge.
Also, funny how the PB18 was designed to use exactly the same tech content as the Taycan (range of about 310 miles, 95 kWh liquid cooled battery, 800 V charging ability) without looking like the Porsche at all. Definitely, the look of the PB18 e-tron Concept is something clearly of its own, bringing together the ideas of a super coupé and a two-door shooting brake.
So, what happened there? Why doesn’t the actual Audi e-tron GT look like that? We can’t give you a very precise answer for this question; however, we will try not to let you in a foggy bubble. It seems it’s all about cost-cutting. Don’t forget: the VW Group is selling the same technical platform under the bodies of both the Audi A1 and Skoda Fabia (also count here some other B-segment family hatches and SUVs from Skoda, VW and SEAT).
Also, this applies to the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia (also count here some other C-segment family hatches and SUVs from Skoda, VW and Audi). Well, they did something alike for the Taycan and e-tron GT. Understandable, as the VW Group wants to get more money out of the same work. But, come on, doing it at the top of the range of its exclusive brands?
Remember the Audi e-tron Sportback Concept and the PB18 e-tron Concept, first shown three years ago at Pebble Beach Automotive Week in Monterey, California? Oh, my goodness! That was a really breathtaking signature achievement for Gael Buzyn and his team of designers from the Audi Design Loft in Malibu!
Taking inspiration from the brands’ successful saga in the Le Mans racing series and from the Audi Aicon Concept, shown earlier in 2017, the PB18 e-tron Concept looked like the perfect vector for the further development of a top high-performance automobile under the four rings badge.
Also, funny how the PB18 was designed to use exactly the same tech content as the Taycan (range of about 310 miles, 95 kWh liquid cooled battery, 800 V charging ability) without looking like the Porsche at all. Definitely, the look of the PB18 e-tron Concept is something clearly of its own, bringing together the ideas of a super coupé and a two-door shooting brake.
So, what happened there? Why doesn’t the actual Audi e-tron GT look like that? We can’t give you a very precise answer for this question; however, we will try not to let you in a foggy bubble. It seems it’s all about cost-cutting. Don’t forget: the VW Group is selling the same technical platform under the bodies of both the Audi A1 and Skoda Fabia (also count here some other B-segment family hatches and SUVs from Skoda, VW and SEAT).
Also, this applies to the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia (also count here some other C-segment family hatches and SUVs from Skoda, VW and Audi). Well, they did something alike for the Taycan and e-tron GT. Understandable, as the VW Group wants to get more money out of the same work. But, come on, doing it at the top of the range of its exclusive brands?
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