The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and Lucid Air Sapphire are two of probably the most highly effective sedans ever constructed.
In a brand new video, Edmunds pits them head-to-head on in a race that includes drag race, braking and cornering efficiency.
The Porsche could also be lighter and have a two-speed transmission, however it could possibly’t match the tri-motor Lucid Air in acceleration.
In 2000, a four-digit horsepower determine in a manufacturing automobile was unparalleled. In 2006, Bugatti made it potential within the hypercar market. In 2024, you may get over 1,000 hp in a pickup truck, in a hypercar in a household sedan. Amongst these household sedans, two reign supreme: The Lucid Air Sapphire and the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Now, Edmunds has pitted them towards one another.
And sure, me leaving out the Tesla Mannequin S Plaid was intentional. As a result of it is one factor to offer 1,000 hp. It is one other to construct a chassis and braking system that may deal with that output competently, then tune them nicely sufficient for on a regular basis prospects. That issues right here, as a result of Edmunds’ U-Drag race entails braking and cornering, along with the quarter-mile drag race. I’ve pushed a Mannequin S Plaid onerous on a canyon highway, and I can solely describe the braking expertise as “horrifying.” A Taycan Turbo S on the identical highway was much more enjoyable, and faster in the actual world. And now, there’s the Taycan Turbo GT.
The ultra-Taycan gives 777 hp and 855 lb-ft of torque in each day utilization, removed from the quad digits. However hit the “increase” button and you may get 1,092 hp and 988 lb-ft for 10 seconds. It additionally has a two-speed transmission to assist its high-speed acceleration, and carries just a few hundred fewer kilos than the larger Lucid Air Sapphire.
That further money buys you one thing: Bragging rights. Because the U-Drag exhibits, the Taycan cannot sustain with the Lucid on the drag race portion, and its braking and cornering efficiency aren’t sufficient to beat its energy deficit. I might assume that Porsche’s two-speed transmission would assist as speeds enhance, however the 457-hp hole means the Lucid retains pulling away. If straight-speed is your drug, the Lucid Air Sapphire is the very best seller on the town.
However that does not imply it is the higher efficiency product. Whereas Edmunds’ take a look at does incorporate a high-speed U-turn, it would not contain as a lot cornering as a race-track take a look at. There, I might anticipate the lighter Porsche to edge out the Lucid, because the Turbo GT achieved a Nurbürgring EV lap report. Even when Xiaomi could have crushed that report, Lucid hasn’t. But. So if you would like a brutally quick EV sedan, you possibly can’t go too improper with both automobile.
