Time Attack Of The All-Electric Supersedans: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Vs. Tesla Model S Plaid

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Vs Tesla Model S Plaid Spec Comparision

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT’s performance is bolstered by a 165-pound reduction in weight compared with the Taycan Turbo S, which has been achieved through liberal use of carbon fiber – on the B-pillars, door mirror caps, and bucket seats, among other areas – as well as the fitment of lightweight 21-inch forged wheels and the removal of the soft-closing boot mechanism. Even the ceramic brakes’ disc chambers and caliper housings have been reworked to shave off 4.4 pounds. The no-cost optional Weissach package further reduces weight by removing the rear seats, rear speakers, and one rear charging port. Additionally, the car loses its floor and boot mats, along with some sound insulation. The active rear spoiler is replaced with a fixed carbon fiber wing, and the windows are upgraded to lighter glass. All of these add up to a further reduction of 154 pounds.

The Tesla Model S Plaid sits above the Long Range variant and Regular Model S in the lineup, and is their most powerful version with a tri-motor setup compared to the two motors in the predecessors. This is what allows for its blistering acceleration, with a 0-60 time of 1.99 seconds. The Track Pack is a $20,000 performance package with an upgraded carbon ceramic brake kit, lightweight aluminum forged wheels wrapped in Goodyear Supercar 3R Tyres, and a software update that unlocks the car’s 200 MPH top speed.

The Taycan Gets Narrowly Edged Out By The Model S Plaid

Brooks compares these cars with their Dragy scores, which he recorded on two separate occasions on the street. Now to be fair the Taycan Turbo GT being compared here is without the optional Weissach package. While the Porsche still manages to get a quicker launch than the Plaid, the Tesla still manages to beat the Taycan to the quarter mile by 0.01 seconds. Brook’s Tesla was also electronically limited to 172 MPH top speed. In the video, Brooks also compares the Dragy times of his friend’s Tesla Model S Plaid with the Track Pack, to the Taycan Turbo GT, once again without a Weissach package. Despite the significant wheel spin in the beginning, the Tesla wins again. Brooks has a Model S Plaid, with the Track Pack on order and I can’t wait to see a re-run against a Taycan Turbo GT Weissach, in the real world.

The Taycan Turbo GT has already set lap records at the Nürburgring and Laguna Seca, setting a time of 7:07.55 at ’the ’Ring’, beating out the Model S by 18 seconds which had set a time of 7:25.231. The Turbo GT clocked a lap time of 1 minute 27.87 seconds at Laguna Seca, falling short of the 1-minute 26.75-second record set by an Unplugged Performance-tuned Tesla Model S Plaid equipped with non-street-legal Yokohama tires.

Now the question remains, which one is right for you? If you compare prices the Tesla Model S Plaid is significantly more affordable ($140k+ price difference) than the Taycan Turbo GT. However, you can still acquire 2 Tesla Model S’ and still have money left over for the price of one Taycan Turbo GT. However, do you need 1000+ horsepower or even 778 for daily use? You could choose the lower trims of the Taycan, or even consider a used example, bringing it closer in price to the Tesla. The Taycan is the better overall package with better build quality, after-sales support, and pedigree.

The competition is also heating up with the likes of the Lucid Air Sapphire offering strong competition with its impressive spec sheet, and the release of the Lotus Emeya right around the corner. The EV super sedan space is about to get crowded with some fast and premium options to choose from, including some strong contenders from Chinese manufacturers. It might be time to choose a brand and bucket down for dear life.