RAS when coming from an M5?

[datal1]

Hi everyone,

I've read most of the threads about whether optioning rear axle steering is a must have or not. It seems to be a majority (70%+) say yes. I'm still a few months away from allocation on my order but would like feedback on RAS.

I'm coming from an F90 M5 competition and going to a Taycan CT. Given the length of my M5 and the CT are basically the same and I have no issues manoeuvring the M5, would you say RAS is still a must have?

I'm in Australia so the option for RAS is $4300 AUD ($3000 usd or $2800 euros) which is quite a lot. Not sure if for me it'll be worth it? The CT I test drove didn't have it as an option so I haven't felt it in action

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[Archimedes]

I came from an F90 M5 as well. While I don’t think RAS is a must have, it is very useful day to day. Much easier to park my RAS 4S in a tight lot than my M5.

 

[tchavei]

I think RAS is 2800€ everywhere ?

Regarding it being a must have... That's a complicated question.

It reminds me manual vs automatic cars. For 28 years I resisted to automatics. Even paid extra to have stick shift because in my mind, manual was the only manly way of driving a car. An automatic was just a glorified golf cart. I never had driven an automatic.

The taycan was actually the first "automatic" I drove even if only in a test drive and the physical itch one feels in the left leg when coming to a stop is real but in retrospective, it was a great ride. I won't miss the shift lever for sure.

Back to RAS. Not having it or experienced it makes one feel it's unnecessary or superfluous. I was able to pin park the demo taycan without any RAS (and actually only used the rear camera to see if it was minimally capable) and so I'm sure it is possible to live without it (I didn't option it in my order) but I feel that it is the same situation as with manual vs automatic. Those who don't have it, don't miss it. Those who have, love it.

It did concern me that several different automakers appear to have RAS with almost (or over) 10 degree of movement while on the taycan it's less than 3 degree? So when I looked at it I kinda thought "eh, what can 2 degree do anyway?" and moved on.

I'm sure I won't miss it (even if only because I haven't experienced it).

If you have money to spare, why not. Otherwise, I would think in other options.

By the way, you're from Australia. I'm pretty sure you guys get screwed over there as the air suspension only has lift and medium there? I think it misses the low setting. That alone might make a few skip the whole air suspension and ras forces one to have it in the configurator.

 

[Redhot2474]

I think “tchavei” nailed it - if you’re not starting with it, you won’t miss it. I have RAS and don’t know what it’s like not to have it. I will say this, the car is incredibly maneuverable in small spaces , like ridiculously maneuverable - I’m imagining that’s the RAS - sure is a luxury but sure I can “live” without it.

 

[datal1]

I think RAS is 2800€ everywhere ?

Regarding it being a must have... That's a complicated question.

It reminds me manual vs automatic cars. For 28 years I resisted to automatics. Even paid extra to have stick shift because in my mind, manual was the only manly way of driving a car. An automatic was just a glorified golf cart. I never had driven an automatic.

The taycan was actually the first "automatic" I drove even if only in a test drive and the physical itch one feels in the left leg when coming to a stop is real but in retrospective, it was a great ride. I won't miss the shift lever for sure.

Back to RAS. Not having it or experienced it makes one feel it's unnecessary or superfluous. I was able to pin park the demo taycan without any RAS (and actually only used the rear camera to see if it was minimally capable) and so I'm sure it is possible to live without it (I didn't option it in my order) but I feel that it is the same situation as with manual vs automatic. Those who don't have it, don't miss it. Those who have, love it.

It did concern me that several different automakers appear to have RAS with almost (or over) 10 degree of movement while on the taycan it's less than 3 degree? So when I looked at it I kinda thought "eh, what can 2 degree do anyway?" and moved on.

I'm sure I won't miss it (even if only because I haven't experienced it).

If you have money to spare, why not. Otherwise, I would think in other options.

By the way, you're from Australia. I'm pretty sure you guys get screwed over there as the air suspension only has lift and medium there? I think it misses the low setting. That alone might make a few skip the whole air suspension and ras forces one to have it in the configurator.

Thanks for the feedback. In Aus we get screwed quite a bit across the board with luxury cars haha. A Taycan 4 CT with no options is $198,000 AUD with on road costs.

In saying this, we have Air suspension as a standard inclusion here on all Cross Turismo's (not sure about the regular Taycan). Same as a lot of other options I've read that are standard on our specs where we can't remove them but options on many other countries. Eg, LED headlights, heads up display, lane change assist, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping assist, comfort access, 14-way seats and I'm sure a lot more too.

 

[WuffvonTrips]

The Taycan's wheelbase is slightly shorter than the M5, the 911's is 450mm less again but it too has the option of RAS. The next Macan will offer it too. I'd guess that, regardless of what the marketing says, Porsche RAS is primarily designed for improving handling and stability (the relatively small maximum deflection angle as noted upthread also suggests this).
I had no problem with manoeuvring a demo Taycan without RAS, but I decided to option it for the improved handling that I felt (without the benefit of back-to-back comparison without it) it gave to the Taycan I drove at the Silverstone Experience Centre.

 

[f1eng]

Hi everyone,

I've read most of the threads about whether optioning rear axle steering is a must have or not. It seems to be a majority (70%+) say yes. I'm still a few months away from allocation on my order but would like feedback on RAS.

I'm coming from an F90 M5 competition and going to a Taycan CT. Given the length of my M5 and the CT are basically the same and I have no issues manoeuvring the M5, would you say RAS is still a must have?

I'm in Australia so the option for RAS is $4300 AUD ($3000 usd or $2800 euros) which is quite a lot. Not sure if for me it'll be worth it? The CT I test drove didn't have it as an option so I haven't felt it in action

It is a Porsche.

Their RAS system stems from work on suspension layout stiffness on stability. The historic 911 problem of lift off causing oversteer due to the rear outer wheel toeing out.
They resoved this to a large extent with the 5-link rear suspension 25 years ago with the 993 evoution of the car (iirc) so younger readers may be totally unaware of that particular 911 "feature".
The RAS system is an active way of controlling wheel angle to a lot higher degree of adjustability, precision and road condition than the 5-link passive system can.

It allows better response turning into low speed corners and higher stability at high speed.

Any increase in low speed manoeuvrability is a side effect bonus not the main objective of the system.

There are manufacturers supplying RAS systems with rear steer angle capability way beyond what is needed for stability so for them turning circle may be their reason for RAS, but not Porsche.

I chose it for the vehicle dynamics (which I will rarely exploit in reality) since that is my "subject".

The extent to which it is an improvement in low speed manouvering has been a pleasant and welcome surprise.

 

[W1NGE]

Hi everyone,

I've read most of the threads about whether optioning rear axle steering is a must have or not. It seems to be a majority (70%+) say yes. I'm still a few months away from allocation on my order but would like feedback on RAS.

I'm coming from an F90 M5 competition and going to a Taycan CT. Given the length of my M5 and the CT are basically the same and I have no issues manoeuvring the M5, would you say RAS is still a must have?

I'm in Australia so the option for RAS is $4300 AUD ($3000 usd or $2800 euros) which is quite a lot. Not sure if for me it'll be worth it? The CT I test drove didn't have it as an option so I haven't felt it in action

Not a must have (I came from a Panamera ST) but highly desirable and would always tick the box.

 

[W1NGE]

Not a must have (I came from a Panamera ST) but highly desirable and I'd tick the box again (and have).

 

[FlyingPoint]

I don't have it, didn't spec it, don't need it and don't want it. Just another electronic to break, like the auto charging door. If I can park my Durango in NYC without RAS, I certainly can park my Taycan without it.

 

[f1eng]

I don't have it, didn't spec it, don't need it and don't want it. Just another electronic to break, like the auto charging door. If I can park my Durango in NYC without RAS, I certainly can park my Taycan without it.

If you only considered it as a parking aid you definitely don’t require it.

 

[Valen]

RAS is one of the better price/quality of life option that you can take for the Taycan.

There's a lot of options for the Taycan but very few enhance your driving experience almost everytime.

That personnal but to give you an idea i ve 58k options on my Taycan (i know that's an overkill) and it's my favorite.

 

[4thPcar]

I think “tchavei” nailed it - if you’re not starting with it, you won’t miss it. I have RAS and don’t know what it’s like not to have it. I will say this, the car is incredibly maneuverable in small spaces , like ridiculously maneuverable - I’m imagining that’s the RAS - sure is a luxury but sure I can “live” without it.

i have same experience. Coming off a 911, I was worried I'd crash this much larger car in a car park, hitting a pylon or other vehicle. I feel very confident turning in tight spaces and am continuously surprised how tight that radius can be.

 

[RAHRCR]

Not a must have (I came from a Panamera ST) but highly desirable and would always tick the box.

Came from the same car previously have come to the same conclusion.

 

[ThePaddyWan]

I personally like it and say it's worth it, especially relative to the overall cost of the vehicle. It does give the Taycan the feel of a shorter wheel base car when in parking lots and during canyon driving.

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