Audi R8 vs Porsche Taycan
What's the difference?

Audi R8

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2020 price

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Porsche Taycan

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2024 price

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Summary

2020 Audi R8

2024 Porsche Taycan

By Laura Berry

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V10, 5.2L

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

12.0L/100km (combined)

Electric range

503 km

Energy consumption

20.0 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

89.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Superb dynamics
Naturally aspirated V10
Everyday usability

Properly fast
Superb dynamics
Efficiency

Dislikes

Where's the advanced safety tech?
No central media screen
Not much in the way of cabin storage

Tight rear seat
No spare tyre
Short warranty

2020 Audi R8 Summary

Supercars can sometimes be seen as the divas of the auto world – delicate, over-the-top, not very good with reality. Well that may be the case for some supercars but not Audi's R8. It's affordable by supercar standards, easy to drive and still very, very fast.

Now the updated R8 has arrived, looking fiercer than ever, but remaining one of the smartest supercar buys on the market. But did you know there are two types of R8? Both have very distinct personalities and I lived with them for two days – in the reality of road works and also ideal country roads.

Here's everything you need to know...

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2024 Porsche Taycan Summary

Can you believe Porsche’s Taycan has been on sale in Australia for three and a half years?

Well, it has, which means the mid-life refresh clock has struck 12 for this ground-breaking pure-electric performance sedan and wagon.

Porsche says it’s faster in a straight line… and to charge, with more power and an extended range. It’s also been refreshed cosmetically, the dynamics have been tweaked and the standard features list has been lengthened as prices have gone up.

We’re ready to share our first impressions review, so stay with us to see if the new Taycan keeps the Porsche flame burning in an increasingly electrified automotive world.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Audi R8 2024 Porsche Taycan

Verdict

The Audi R8 V10 RWD and V10 Performance Quattro have their own personalities. I'm a big fan of the lower-powered rear-wheel drive car, but the Performance is the ultimate here with better brakes and that 330km/h top speed. Either way the R8 is a true supercar, but one that doesn't have to be driven gingerly as though something may break off.

Verdict

Porsche says its Taycan models have always been performance-focused and this updated version is even faster than the car it replaces, in a straight line and point-to-point. It’s better equipped, more efficient, and yes, more expensive but every millimetre a Porsche in the way this EV sedan and wagon package has been executed.

It’s an impressive car likely to appeal to Porsche newcomers rather than traditionalists, although you may already have other Porsches in the garage. But with the Macan EV landing any minute and the pure-electric 718 Boxster and Cayman just around the corner it's a key part of the changing face of this iconic German brand.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Audi R8 vs Porsche Taycan What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi R8 vs Porsche Taycan
What's the difference?