An all-electric Porsche 718 is all set to enter the booming electric vehicle market in 2025. Rumored to be offered in hardtop and convertible options, the sporty EV seems like a fun-filled top-down driving experience. But competitors are taking notice and coming up with a range of rivals. An all-electric Audi TT would stand toe-to-toe with the highly anticipated Porsche.
The Audi brand has high standards and expansive dreams for a 2026 all-electric rollout. A new Audi TT is rumored to fit into those electrification goals, following in the path of Audi’s e-tron fleet and the whisperings of the electrification of the Audi R8.
Audi Is Already Leading The Range Battle
An electric Audi TT would be far from the first electric car Audi has unveiled. The Audi e-tron collection debuted with the 2019 Audi e-tron. The all-electric SUV came onto a growing EV scene with a 204-mile range, lagging behind similarly priced cars like the Tesla Model X Long Range. However, as the manufacturer’s EV fleet grew alongside the standards of the electric vehicle industry, that range stretched to keep up with competitors. The 2024 Q8 e-tron debuts a range between 285 and 330 miles. While the range of the newest iteration doesn’t stir up a frenzy in the EV market like the Fisker Ocean Extreme’s promise of 360 miles of range or the Lucid Pure Air’s 410 miles, it does fit in snuggly to compete with similarly set up rivals.
The 2025 Porsche 718 EV is still heavily under wraps. However, Porsche’s electric lineup doesn’t offer the longevity that Audi’s fleet does. The 2023 Porsche Taycan marked the German-based brand’s entry into electrification. The all-electric sports car, however, didn’t exceed range expectations. With a 246-mile range, the car made for speed didn’t deliver on longevity. It’s nearly $91,000 price tag reflected a 2.4-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate and a horsepower of 750 paired with 774 pound-feet of torque. Despite its power on track, the lack of range made the car look dated compared to less expensive competitors with longer range, similar acceleration speeds, and matched power.
The 2023 Lucid Air, for example, comes in at a starting price ($77,400) $13,500 below the 2023 Porsche Taycan ($90,900), and sets the industry ablaze with 384 miles of range. But that stretch of road time doesn’t come at the expense of horsepower or speed. The electric vehicle’s top speed comes in at just 22 MPH slower than the 2023 Porsche and the three seconds needed to reach 60 MPH isn’t drastically slower than the Porsche’s 2.4 seconds. A 620-horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque come together to offer a swanky, speedy, and less spendy alternative. While the Audi e-tron lineup doesn’t match the specs of electric vehicles like the Lucid Air, its range is crawling up there. The 2025 Porsche 718 EV, however, will need some catching up to do in order to put up a fight.
An All-Electric Audi TT Could Offer More Bang For Your Buck
The 2023 Audi TT hit the ground running. Starting out at $53,295, the gas-powered Audi prioritized a more affordable sports car status over being labeled as an outstanding powerhouse. At over $15,000 more, the 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman offers a horsepower of 300 paired with 280 pound-feet of torque. With just 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the Audi TT falls behind the gas-powered Cayman.
2023 Audi TT Specs vs. 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Specs
|
Model |
2023 Audi TT |
2024 Porsche 718 Cayman |
|
Layout |
Turbocharged 4-Cylinder engine |
Turbocharged 4-Cylinder engine |
|
Horsepower |
228 Horsepower |
300 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
258 pound-feet |
280 pound-feet |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.6 seconds |
4.9 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
130 MPH |
170 MPH |
|
Price |
$53,295 |
$68,3000 |
Skeptics are already gathering at the mention of an all-electric Porsche 718. It is always a risk to revamp a gas-powered car, as it will be compared to its predecessor. The sports car community may need some winning over in order to make a tough sell like an electric Porsche sports car work — especially one with an already adoring fan base. If the Porsche 718 EV can’t keep up with or meet the demands for speed, power, price, style, and endurance, it may not fair well in a competitive and cut-throat electric marketplace. That is where an electric version of the Audi TT has an opportunity to balance range with a rocket ship status.
The newer iteration would need some serious redesigning in order to achieve those goals, but with Audi’s previous experience of creating a lineup of electric vehicles, transferring that tech and prioritizing both speed and range should offer up a welcome challenge. As the Porsche 718 EV catches up with its gas-fueled relative, an electric Audi TT must look at its own electric fleet for inspiration. Expectations are a bit higher for a brand with eight EVs currently on the market, so a strong research and development ground should already be laid and expertise on the subject of electrification should be ample.
An EV TT Would Fit Perfectly Into Audi’s 2026 Electrification Deadline
By 2026, Audi plans to complete the transition to a 100-percent electric production plan for new vehicles. Audi said the automaker would phase out any and all internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2033. With this plan in mind and acting as the main driver of future releases, Audi will release its final car powered by an ICE in 2025. Audi’s current fleet of EVs includes the Q4 e-tron, Q4 Sportback e-tron, RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, e-tron, and the e-tron S and S Sportback. An Audi TT fueled by an electric motor would be a natural progression towards the company’s goals for all new vehicles to sport electric power trains in just two years’ time.
Audi’s plans for the future also include four concepts that either introduce brand-new electric vehicles or electrified and revamped versions of old favorites. Audi teased that the Skysphere will be a two-door roadster with self-driving features and a sports car aesthetic. The Grandsphere will push the boundaries of Audi’s collection of sedans, again offering self-driving assist without pedals or a steering wheel when the mode is activiated. The futuristic utopia Audi is dreaming up doesn’t stop there. The Urbansphere’s large size evokes a similar image to the Chevrolet Suburban and the brand has called it a “mobile lounge or an office on wheels.” Lastly, the Activesphere, made for adventuring, will be an all-electric vehicle with a coupe-like body featuring space for storing all the equipment needed for mountaineering.
The electric sports car market is slim and rarely offers wild ranges. However, an electric Audi TT has the opportunity to use its electric expertise from the e-tron series for a future sports car that pushes the limits of what is expected. As the company gears towards an all-electric identity in 10 years, it is already forging a path forward in sustainable design and performance. The Audi TT, if electrified, is that next step forward.
Sources include: Audi, Porsche, Lucid, Car and Driver, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
