THE NEW ALL ELECTRIC TAYCAN IS A GROUNDBREAKING INNOVATION IN ELECTROMOBILITY, BUT AT ITS CORE, THE SPORTS SEDAN IS STILL PURE PORSCHE

BY EVAN MONROE

In January 2018, a prominent guest list gathered at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the 356 “No.1” Roadster, the German automaker’s first sports car and the birth of a brand. Over the seven decades following its debut, Porsche would build some of the world’s most meritorious machines, from the Carrera GT to the hallowed 911, arguably the most iconic sports nameplate of all time. At that very same celebration, the brand trumpeted the next chapter in its performance story, announcing the name of its first all-electric production sports car based on the concept Mission E the Taycan.

Porsche was audacious in its promise to create an all-electric rider that would possess the same driving spirit as its legacy sports cars, but that’s exactly what the Taycan delivers, evoking a behind the wheel experience that’s agile, nimble, and gut twistingly fast. The Turbo and Turbo S were released first, followed by a slightly more fiscally modest 4S, each powered by an 800 volt performance battery with a model dependent range of 192 201 miles. Though the all-wheel drive sedan is longer and heavier than the 911, its flagship Turbo S produces a dizzying 750 ponies (compared to 580 on the 911 Turbo S) and 774 lb. ft. of torque. With a wind slicing 0 60 time of 2.6 seconds, the Taycan is the quickest Porsche currently on the market and the second fastest in the brand’s history (the 918 Spyder seemed to defy the laws of physics with a 0 60 time of 2.2 seconds).

The system uses two permanent magnet synchronous motors, one on each axle, for precise power distribution front to rear. The 93.4 kWh battery is integrated deep into the underbody for a low center of gravity, inviting spirited cornering. Under ideal charging conditions, the vehicle can go from five to 80% charged in less than 23 minutes the perfect amount of time for an afternoon coffee break.

The 4S starts at $103,800, while the Turbo and Turbo S have a manufacturer’s suggested price tag of $150,900 and $185,000, respectively. The 2021 model year is slated to receive some upgrades, including over the air software updates and enhanced charging capabilities, plus a new, larger member of the Taycan electro family, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. The sleek wagon variant is scheduled to debut in early 2021.

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