Rear wheel steering… in reverse

[Throb]

I'd go as far as saying RWS may be the most important option to spec on the Macan EV, unless you

Macan Turbo owner of six weeks, here, and RAS is without a doubt the first box I would tick if ordering again. It makes the car feel like a hot hatch.

Also, as someone else pointed out, it's basically the same length wheelbase as the Taycan, which is the only parameter which needs to be looked at when discussing the benefits of RAS.

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[W1NGE]

The official specs are (length / wheelbase in inches):
- Macan Electric: 188.3 / 113.9
- Panamera: 198.9 / 116.1
- Taycan: 195.4 / 114.2

Length-wise, the Macan is quite a bit shorter than the Panamera, with the Taycan almost in between the two.

Looking at the wheelbase however, the Taycan and Macan have pretty much the same wheelbase: we're talking 3/4 of a cm difference. And my experience is the wheelbase is what matters in terms of agility, not the length of the car.

Saying the Macan is a small car but the Taycan is a large car is factually incorrect when it comes to wheelbase. The RWS benefits (or lack thereof) will be the same for both cars - not kinda useless on the Macan but helpful on the Taycan.

Some people on this forum keep repeating this about the Macan but the numbers tell a different story. No?

Wheelbase is one thing (adds more interior space typically and assists overall dynamics) but people typically struggle with the overall dimensions of the car when parking / manoeuvring and so I still think RAS is not top of the options list on the Macan EV. I have it on my GTS ST and not on the Macan T (wasn't an option) and unlikely to add should I get a Macan EV (already had one on extended trial and parked in my usual spots - a doddle without RAS) and have a tight parking space at an alternative location where this feature becomes useful. as I only have only 36" spare in total (front and rear) to parallel park between two pillars and a solid wall.

1ft reduction in turning circle may appeal to some put I can't think of a situation over the last 5 years where I've benefited.

Beyond low speed manoeuvres then RAS becomes a tad unnecessary as the driving dynamics of any Porsche is always in the top drawer. PSP (speed sensitive steering) is a worthy option and is really all that is needed on the Macan (any) IMHO.

 

[platypus]

Beyond low speed manoeuvres then RAS becomes a tad unnecessary as the driving dynamics of any Porsche is always in the top drawer

Coming from a Macan GTS, the ease to corner at any speed is definitely noticeable with RWS. It also results in less body roll at highway speeds since all the wheels turn in the same direction (it’s more gliding than turning). At least that’s how it feels.

I just looked at my build sheet, RWS is indeed the top option I’d go for if I had to buy it again. Although it’s a Turbo so not totally fair.

 

[USMA81]

Comment made to me at delivery at Porsche Experience Center by driving instructor: “Really great that you optioned RWS.” I didn’t ask why, but I since have thought he was referring to better cornering at high speeds. I have yet to test it in the mountains, but add me to the list of owners who definitely wants this on my vehicle.

Of course, the more practical side of this is the tighter turning radius in daily driving.

 

[dgkhn]

1ft reduction in turning circle may appeal to some

I think it's 3 feet. I make use of the reduced turning circle virtually every drive (I have to back out and turn around in limited space when I leave my garage). It just adds to the joy/ease of driving the car. I don't have a basis for determining the impact when driving at speed, other than to say the Macan drives great on the highway.

 

[tmrqs]

I think it's 3 feet. I make use of the reduced turning circle virtually every drive (I have to back out and turn around in limited space when I leave my garage). It just adds to the joy/ease of driving the car. I don't have a basis for determining the impact when driving at speed, other than to say the Macan drives great on the highway.

Absolutely right, it is indeed 3 feet / 1 meter as posted previously.

But @W1NGE doesn't seem to have all the factual information on RWS readily available before commenting, especially comparing Taycan and Macan... which is a little ironic given his recent post.

I apologise but I find the continual churn of the same questions on multiple threads exhausting. People are reluctant to engage in self-help, DYOR and so on.

I also don't love having to repeatedly correct misinformation on several threads... but I'll keep doing it.

 

[Awaz]

Beyond low speed manoeuvres then RAS becomes a tad unnecessary as the driving dynamics of any Porsche is always in the top drawer. PSP (speed sensitive steering) is a worthy option and is really all that is needed on the Macan (any) IMHO.

I agree.
I really wanted to option it, to have all driver assisted options, but my SA suggested it really is not necessary for a car of this size. So, I didn't get it and don't miss it, as I don't know it.

At cornering, It's already very precise, as one would expect from a Porsche.
That said, I'm glad those who have it like it.

 

[tmrqs]

I agree.
I really wanted to option it, to have all driver assisted options, but my SA suggested it really is not necessary for a car of this size. So, I didn't get it and don't miss it, as I don't know it.

At cornering, It's already very precise, as one would expect from a Porsche.
That said, I'm glad those who have it like it.

Another message repeated ad nauseam by @Awaz about what the SA said re: the car size... but factual numbers tell a different story. Oh well.

 

[platypus]

my SA suggested it really is not necessary for a car of this size

Narrator: as it turned out, this SA was wrong.

We're definitely falling back on a discussion where people who spec'd the option like love it, and people who didn't are fine without it.

 

[Awaz]

Another message repeated ad nauseam by @Awaz about what the SA said re: the car size... but factual numbers tell a different story. Oh well.

Sorry dear...getting a bit salty here

 

[platypus]

If anyone is still unsure about spec'ing RWS for their new car, I'll happily make the case for it ad nauseam!

 

[Awaz]

Let's just be happy for those who are fine with it, and those without, if that is how they feel.
Shall we?

 

[ColdCase]

Yeah its not necessary for any car size, only necessary when you approach the size of very long trucks or trailers driven on city streets.

But necessary in this RWS context is an opinion/judgement. I would class it a nice to have along with PTV+ similar to its nice to have full leather or massaging seats.

Those of us that want optimum performance and driving satisfaction will check off the RWS and PTV+ boxes as being necessary. Those looking for comfort and style will check off massaging seats and full leather as necessary. None of these are necessary for a transportation appliance as the base Macan is pretty good..

 

[tmrqs]

Sorry dear...getting a bit salty here

Nothing personal really.
I am a very pragmatic person, I like to be factual and precise.

If someone doesn't want to option X because they deem it too expensive, or had to pick something else instead, I completely get it and it's fine.

Now when people state/repeat incorrect information, when that is misleading... that I have an issue with - and I will bring data that shows otherwise. That's not being salty.

 

[platypus]

Yeah its not necessary for any car size, only necessary when you approach the size of very long trucks or trailers driven on city streets.

The definition of necessary in a 80k+ EV is going to be subjective somewhat. I do see value in RWS every time I turn the wheel, and I'm coming from a Macan that didn't have it. That said, I agree with you that this will be a must-have for people who tick performance boxes, and a nice-to-have for people who tick comfort boxes.

But necessary in this RWS context is an opinion/judgement. I would class it a nice to have along with PTV+ similar to its nice to have full leather or massaging seats.

I told myself I would remain casual but comparing RWS to PTV+ is not fair. You're going to have the need for PTV+ only in super specific conditions where you're taking the car close to the limit.

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