Porsche Taycan

Porsche Taycan – Exterior

Due to the drivetrain layout – relatively more compact electric engines at both ends and less stuff getting in the way – the exterior proportions are easy to make Porsche-like. The short-nose and long hood is reminiscent of the Panamera, but here it is converted into a front trunk, or, frunk. A Taycan with a sedan body has a rear that features a short notchback boot lid, while the wagons have a hatchback-styled system. The now familiar full-width light band at the rear is seen on both.
Up front, the headlights are also a familiar four-point LED system, with air intakes integrated vertically. There is a charging port on each side that is situated just aft of the front wheels, which opens upwards at a swipe of a finger, and the door handles also pop out like the 992 911. For those who eschew the standard lightweight aluminium roof, there is also an option for a fixed panoramic glass roof.
Besides that, all Cross Turismo body styles are further elevated by 20 mm, and the optional off-road pack can give an additional 10 mm of ground clearance. To add further to the lifestyle appeal of the CT, buyers can also opt for a rear-mounted bicycle carrier that can carry up to three bikes without impairing access to the rear boot.
A total of 17 color options are available for the range, with a variety of 19-inch wheels available to the Taycan, Taycan 4 CT, and Taycan 4S, while the Taycan Turbo has a range of 20-inch wheels, and the Taycan Turbo S has an assortment of 21-inches.

Sedan Porshe Taycans:

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismos:

Porsche Taycan – Interior

In keeping with the futuristic EV, screens are everywhere inside. There is a curved one behind the wheel, one for infotainment in the centre, one right below it in the centre console, and one in front of the front passenger (optional) above the glove compartment.
Even so, it is still familiar. Driving modes – Range, Normal, Sport, Sport + – are controlled via a dial on the wheel, and the driving experience is unmistakably Porsche. There is room for four comfortably in here, although the Tesla Model S has more space, and there is an option to add a third spot at the rear.
Interior trim options abound, of course, with many different materials and colour combinations from which to choose, as well as options to have stitching in contrasting colours and the like.

Porsche Taycan – Features

For good or bad, mechanical buttons have almost been eliminated in the Taycan. To either side of the 16.8-inch curved display in front of the driver are touchscreen panels that control chassis and lighting. The 10.9-inch display in the centre is the main control for audio, navigation and communication. With the added Porsche Communication Management, it can also display an optimum route in real time to manage the range of the car.
The 8.4-inch centre console control panel also allows access to the functions above and can also open and close the rear boot as well as the charging ports.
There is also a lot of optional equipment. The front passenger can have a 10.9-inch display of their own, and the rear passengers need not be left out with one that is 5.9-inch in size. Ambient lighting is available on request, as is a GT sports steering wheel. For even more aural immersion, buyers can opt for a 710-watts Bose sound system, or a 1,455-watts system from Burmester.

Porsche Taycan – Powertrain

The base model Porsche Taycan is the only rear-wheel drive, as it only has one electric motor on its rear axle. A 71 kWh battery is standard with an option for a 83.7 kWh battery (aka Performance Battery Plus).
The Taycan 4S is also configured similarly, but it has two motors – one on each axle. The Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S are also all-wheel driven, but they come standard Performance Battery Plus.
Every single Cross Turismo model also has the same larger battery, and are powered on both axles.
These batteries are all based on 800-volt technology, which is more advanced than the usual 400-volts. This improves charging performance, with smaller cable cross-sections and therefore a lower weight.
To recuperate up to 90% of kinetic energy, Porsche Recuperation Management will use the motors to act as generators when required, resulting in deceleration, and the mechanical brake is only engaged when stronger braking is needed.

Porsche Taycan – Driving Performance

Here’s a summary of the benchmark figures for all the Taycans.
Porsche Taycan
240 kW (326 PS) | 300 kW (408 PS) overboost
345 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds | top speed 230 km/h

Porsche Taycan with Performance Battery Plus
280 kW (380 PS) | 350 kW (476 PS) overboost
357 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds | top speed 230 km/h
Porsche Taycan 4S
320 kW (435 PS) | 390 kW (530 PS) overboost
640 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds | top speed 250 km/h
Porsche Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus
360 kW (490 PS) | 420 kW (571 PS) overboost
650 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds | top speed 250 km/h
Porsche Taycan Turbo
460 kW (625 PS) | 500 kW (680 PS) overboost
850 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds | top speed 260 km/h
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
460 kW (625 PS) | 560 kW (761 PS) overboost
1,050 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds | top speed 260 km/h
Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo
280 kW (380 PS) | 350 kW (476 PS) overboost
500 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds | top speed 220 km/h
Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
360 kW (490 PS) | 420 kW (571 PS) overboost
650 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds | top speed 240 km/h
Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo
460 kW (625 PS) | 500 kW (680 PS) overboost
850 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds | top speed 250 km/h
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
460 kW (625 PS) | 560 kW (761 PS) overboost
1,050 Nm of torque
0 – 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds | top speed 250 km/h

Porsche Taycan – Ride Comfort

Every variant of the Taycan weighs in excess of 2 tonnes. Having said that, Porsche are masters at chassis control. Battery packs are located along the underbody of the car to make sure the centre of gravity is optimised. Porsche Active Suspension Management can adjust damping force to reduce body roll, and the Taycan also has rear-axle steering to further improve stability. Other systems like Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (optional) further reduces lateral body movement, even on uneven ground, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus optimises grip to get the most traction.
Managing all these different systems is Porsche 4D Chassis Control. Yes, Porsche has a system to manage its many systems.

Porsche Taycan – Conclusion

The Taycan, even in Turbo S form, is not as quick off the line as the Tesla Model S Plaid, nor does it have as much range. However, their heritage and chassis know-how makes the Taycan much more entertaining to drive, and Porsche has said from the get go that the only benchmark for the Taycan was the 911 and no one else. This dynamism sets the Taycan apart from all of its current competitors, and it may just turn into the benchmark for a whole new generation of sports cars.