An in-depth reference guide on Porsche‘s gamechanging 900-volt electric sports sedan – the Taycan
Combining absolutely explosive acceleration rivaling modern hypercars with avantgarde styling and technology, the groundbreaking Porsche Taycan has undoubtedly made waves in the EV space since first hitting the road back in 2019.
Officially Porsche‘s first fully electric vehicle, the sleek, low-slung Taycan has quickly proven itself as so much more than just a futuristic engineering showcase for the german automaker. Let‘s explore the facets cementing this unique EV as a modern icon:
Taycan By the Numbers: Specs and Capabilities Overview
||Battery Capacity|Peak Power|Acceleration (0-60 mph)|Top Speed|Electrified Range (EPA)|800V Max Charging|Starting Price|
|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|Taycan|79 kWh|402 hp|5.1 s|143 mph|201 mi|270 kW|$82,700|
|Taycan 4S|79 / 93 kWh|522 hp|3.8 s|155 mph|199 / 225 mi|270 kW|$108,900|
Taycan Turbo|93 kWh|670 hp|3.0 s|161 mph|212 mi|270 kW|$153,500|
Taycan Turbo S|93 kWh|750 hp|2.6 s|161 mph|192 mi|270 kW|$185,000|
Brief History: Concept to Gamechanging Production Model
Porsche initially unveiled the Mission E concept – a vision for a radically styled all-electric 600 hp sports sedan – at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show to both industry and enthusiast fanfare.
The Mission E‘s debut represented the first visible steps in Porsche‘s ambition to transfer its sports car DNA into an electrified performance package.
WhileRegisterMessagei many established players remained cautious around embracing EVs, the Mission E demonstrated Porsche‘s commitment at the highest levels to taking tangible risks.
- Porsche invests over 6 billion euros in electromobility between 2021 to 2025
- Double 2019 planned spend levels
- Spend focuses on Taycan model expansion among areas
- By 2030, Porsche aims for 80% electrified vehicles including mild hybrids
Fast forward to 2019, and Porsche stunned the world by unveiled the production Taycan – staying remarkably faithful to the striking Mission E styling blueprints from four years prior while packing the latest tech throughout marking the start of a new era.
Let‘s now examine exactly what makes the Taycan so revolutionary from the inside-out.
Interior Design & Passenger Experience
The Taycan‘s interior represents one of Porsche‘s biggest departures from tradition serving as both a technology showcase and clean slate emphasizing digitalization:
Floating Glass Cockpit
- Curved free-standing 16.8 inch instrument cluster screen with minimal physical buttons
- Fully customizable Porsche Advanced Cockpit digital gauge cluster
- Head-up display with augmented reality navigation guidance
State-of-the-Art Infotainment System
- 10.9 inch central touch panel controlling audio, navigation, applecarplay, etc
- Enhanced natural speech voice recognition activated via "Hey Porsche"
- Optional passenger touchscreen allowing content and route modification
Premium Options & Connectivity
- 30+ speaker Burmester 3D High-end Surround audio system
- Built-in Apple Music app, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto
- Charging Planner helps schedule charging stops on road trips
- LTE connectivity and WiFi hotspot enables Over-the-air updates
From track analytics to phone streaming in the Taycan, everything centers around the driver oriented cockpit aligned with Porsche‘s sporting ethos.
Performance, Handling & Drivetrain Tech
Purists may initially scoff, but the Taycan proves EVs can offer visceral performance – hitting 60 mph in as quick as 2.6 seconds thanks to advanced electric drivetrain and chassis hardware working seamlessly together:
Two-Speed Rear Transmission
- 2-speed gearbox with automated shift management unique among EVs
- Gear one optimized for rapid launches; gear two for efficiency
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Electric Motors
- Compact and power dense front/rear motors
- Overboost briefly unlocks more power during hard launches
- Rear motor makes 33% more power than front motor
Advanced Torque Vectoring
- Actively vary motor torque delivery between wheels and axles
- Dynamic traction and stability control across driving scenarios
Rigid Lightweight Chassis Structure
- Low center of gravity from floor-mounted battery pack
- Aluminum and steel hybrid chassis construction
- Improves responsiveness during transitional handling
Make no mistake – the Taycan drives every bit like a proper Porsche thanks to tuning that strikes an ideal balance between power delivery and formidable road manners.
Taycan Model Range: Finding the Right Fit
Spanning bodystyles from sleek low-slung sedans to rugged crossover wagons with room for gear, Porsche smartly covers a wide spectrum with unique Taycan models catering to various wants and budgets:
| Model | Battery (kWh) | Drivetrain | Output (hp) | 0-60 (s) | Range (mi) | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taycan | 79 | RWD | 402 | 5.1 | 201 | $82,700 |
| Taycan 4S | 79 / 93 | AWD | 522 | 3.8 | 199 / 225 | $108,900 |
| Taycan Turbo | 93 | AWD | 670 | 3.0 | 212 | $153,500 |
| Taycan Turbo S | 93 | AWD | 750 | 2.6 | 192 | $185,000 |
| Taycan Cross Turismo | 93 | AWD | 550 | 3.7 | 220 | $92,000 |
| Taycan Sport Turismo | 93 | AWD | 576 | 3.5 | 225 | $110,000 |
No matter if chasing raw track speeds via Turbo S or seeking electric adventure through the Cross Turismo, there exists an appropriate Taycan perfectly aligned with any enthusiast focus.
Charging Considerations: Fuelling Electric Performance
As an exciting vanguard in EV technology, the Taycan introduces unique charging capabilities:
Industry-First 800V System
- Cuts DC fast charging times substantially over 400V EV norms
- 5-80% charge achievable under ideal conditions in around 22.5 minutes
- 60 miles range possible from brief 5 minute charges
270 kW Max Charging Power
- Up to 90 miles range added in just 5 minutes at max charge rate
- Advanced battery cooling/heating sustains peak charge rates for longer
AC Home Charging up to 9.6 kW
- 11 hours for 0-100% charge on AC home charging hardware
- Optional onboard AC 22kW charger further reduces charging times
Experts Applaud Taycan‘s Remarkable Achievement
With rave reviews from the media and owners alike, the Porsche Taycan succeeds in pushing boundaries for the still emerging echelon of luxury electric vehicles:
Critics Highly Impressed
- 2021 What Car? Performance Car of the Year award
- Praise directed to extreme accelerative forces, tactile handling and opulent interior
- Taycan Cross Turismo wins multiple best wagon awards in 2022
Owners Adore Driving Dynamics
- 93% of Taycan owners in surveys say they would buy again highlighting satisfaction
- Low depreciation demonstrates extremely high demand in used market
- Owners continue being impressed by real world range and charging convenience
In the future we‘ll undoubtably witness even more incredibly advanced variants as Porsche iterates on their EV formula. For now, Taycan establishes an exciting direction blending technology and soul like no other vehicle.
Frequently Asked EV Questions
How long does the Taycan battery warranty last?
Taycan batteries are warrantied for 8 years or 100,000 miles covering loss of capacity under 70%.
Does the Taycan qualify for federal tax incentives?
Yes! Buyers still qualify for up to a $7,500 federal credit in addition to state bonuses.
How much rear cargo and legroom does the Taycan offer?
Despite the sloping rear roofline, rear seat legroom measures a respectable 33 inches enabling adult comfort while the front/rear trunk offers decent combined cargo space.
What sort of at-home charger does Porsche recommend installing?
For maximum home charging convenience, Porsche suggests a hardened 240V outlet supporting charging up to 9.6 kW matching the Taycan‘s capabilities.
I hope this comprehensive Taycan deep dive proves valuable as both a technical showcase and practical buyer‘s guide to one of the world‘s most fascinating vehicles demonstrating the incredible potential of electric performance!
