Many brands these days now offer a selection of both electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains. However choosing between the two can be quite the dilemma, particularly since both offer wholly unique experiences when it comes to the drive, performance, and efficiency.

To help customers who are on the fence decide, PGA Cars, distributor of Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley cars, brought their selection of electric and ICE performance vehicles to the track to let potential customers experience the difference, first-hand.

The PGA Cars World of Supercars was a three-day festival of driving held at the Clark Internationa Speedway. It drew nearly 300 driving participants to the racetrack to experience both electric and ICE performance vehicles, guided by Porsche-certified instructors from the Porsche Experience Center.

On hand were some of Porsche’s most exciting vehicles like the 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, and Taycan. Audi, on the other hand had models like the Q3 and Q5 as well as electric models like the e-tron GT and e-tron Q8. 

An array of driving exercises were set-up on and off the track in order to experience the vehicles’ capabilities, whether it was a leisure drive through town, a slalom on the track, a surmounting obstacles with the SUVs, or a track day.

Guests were first treated to a short drive around Clark where the comfort and efficiency of the Q3 and Q5 SUVs, both in petrol and diesel could be sampled. The petrol SUV performed as expected with readily available power and a delightful growl when prodded. What was surprising was the diesel version that easily kept pace with the other, yet without any of the typical vibration or clatter expected of a diesel.

The next exercise involved a slalom drive in the Cayman and Macan. Naturally, the Cayman was a delight to drive through the cones. The Macan, however, was no slouch either, easily handling the corners when in sport mode, despite being heavier and higher off the ground.

The next exercise was an acceleration and braking experience with the Taycan and Cayenne. That Cayenne easily ate up the circuit’s long straight and proved quite capable of braking within the short distance with little drama. What was a truly eye opening was experiencing the same exercise in the Taycan. Having pure electric power, it took on the stretch with surprising haste and quiet. When it came to braking, the built-in regenerative braking made slowing down even easier and less dramatic, adding a little bit of power back to the battery in the process.

The thrilling one-lap track sessions had us in the e-tron GT and e-tron Q8. Despite being an SUV, taking on the track was a hardly a challenge for the e-tron Q8, blessed with an abundance of power from the battery and electric motors. The real revelation proved to be the e-tron GT, offering amazing handling and braking, despite being a large sedan. Its lower center of gravity made for delightful handling around the track, with straights easily eaten up by the mounds of power.

Finally, the exercises were capped with an off-road experience with the Cayenne, Q5, and e-tron Q8. The vehicles would drive through a course of obstacles designed to test their ability to deliver traction to all four tires. The finale was a water bath, designed to show that even electric vehicles can confidently go through floods without any risk of compromising its battery.

The PGA Cars World of Supercars is an event worth attending if you’re one of the lucky few to be offered an invitation. It certainly shows an eye-opening glimpse of the parity electric vehicles have now reached with their ICE counterparts. Dare I say, the electric vehicles are even more appealing now that we’ve experienced their full potential on the race track.