The fuel difference is bigger if we are to consider the fuel penalty + lack of caches option.
Irrelevant, proven by panther.
175 is 175 and performs like 175, not like 250.
260 is 260 and performs like 260.
Penalties limit the armor presence, not its effectiveness.
Its superior to IS-2 and tiger and cost reflects it.
@Butcher
Then get 2 panthers.
If the choice isn't obvious to always go for it, it likely means its in good spot.
And 1v1 late game is hardly about spreading all your forces as thin as possible.
Moreover, your other forces still move as they did before.
AT guns can't chase anything and you have (soon) stealth puppchens to protect it effortlessly from any flank and soon even from the TDs positioned in front of it.