Introduction
In the ever-evolving landscape of electric vehicles (EVs), Porsche has made a bold entrance with the Taycan, marking its foray into the world of fully electric cars. This review delves into the intricacies of the Taycan, dissecting its performance, design, and how it stands out in the burgeoning e-mobility market.
Unveiling the Taycan
Porsche's first electric offering comes with a hefty price tag, starting at £116,000 for the 'Turbo' variant. While this might be out of reach for many, it positions itself alongside iconic models like the 911 GT3, emphasizing that performance takes precedence. The Taycan is not just a car; it's a catalyst for reshaping the perception of electric mobility in the UK.
Aesthetic Appeal and Quality Craftsmanship
The Taycan captivates from every angle, challenging the visual presence of competitors like the Tesla Model S. Its tangible, physical quality elevates it to another echelon. Stepping into the cabin feels like a leap into the future, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with the unmistakable essence of a Porsche.
Driving Experience: Silence Meets Power
Behind the wheel, the Taycan delivers a serene yet powerful experience. With 680bhp and 627lb ft of instant torque, the acceleration is awe-inspiring. The intelligent adaptive damping system ensures a smooth ride, even on the UK's challenging A and B-roads, showcasing Porsche's commitment to innovation.
Sportscar or Wishful Thinking?
Comparing the Taycan to traditional sports cars may seem futile, given its unique parameters. Weighing almost a tonne more than a 911, it carves its niche by embracing its distinctiveness. The steering is superb, and the brakes, despite incorporating a regen system, provide a performance that rivals traditional setups.
The Sound of Silence
While noise is integral to the sports car experience, the Taycan challenges conventions. The 'Electric Sport Sound' offers an artificial whine, but the inherent wind and tire noise, coupled with the silent delivery of substantial power, create a captivating symphony of their own.
Range and Real-World Performance
On a full charge, the Taycan Turbo boasts over 200 miles, a commendable figure considering its performance capabilities. Utilizing 'Range Mode' intelligently, the battery maintained a significant charge even after spirited driving, addressing concerns about the real-world practicality of EVs.
Charging Challenges
The Achilles' heel of EV ownership in the UK lies in charging infrastructure. Porsche's 800-volt system allows for a peak charge of 270kWh, but the scarcity of fast chargers poses a challenge. While home charging is a viable option, the need for an extensive fast-charging network remains paramount for widespread EV adoption.
The Price Conundrum
With a base price of £115,858 for the Taycan Turbo, affordability comes into question. Additional options can quickly escalate the cost. The Turbo S variant, priced significantly higher, raises eyebrows, prompting consideration of the more economical 4S variant for those seeking a balanced equation of performance and cost.
Embracing the Dual Identity
The Taycan's true value emerges when viewed not as a replacement for traditional sports cars but as a complement. Integrating it into a daily routine while reserving traditional models for weekend excursions provides a pragmatic approach to EV ownership.
Conclusion
In the realm of electric performance, the Porsche Taycan stands as a testament to innovation and adaptability. While acknowledging its unique challenges, it carves a niche that transcends traditional comparisons. The Taycan invites us to embrace the future of motoring, where electrification and exhilaration coexist, challenging preconceptions and setting new benchmarks in the automotive landscape.
FAQs
You could describe the Taycan as a 'technology flagship' for Porsche. As well as its unique and powerful drivetrain and its 800-volt battery pack – a first-ever for a production vehicle – which helps speeds up charging time and improve performance, there are a host of great technological benefits in the car.
Why is Porsche Taycan so good? ›
Even so the Taycan differs from most EVs in that its acceleration tails off less at Autobahn speed, because it has a two-speed transmission that shifts up to keep the rear motor at the most muscly rpm. To put numbers on it: the cheapest RWD-only Taycan has more than 400bhp and cracks 0-62 in 4.8 seconds.
How many miles per gallon does a Taycan get? ›
2021 Porsche Taycan: Up to 76 MPGe city and 84 MPGe highway. 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo: Up to 76 MPGe city and 77 MPGe highway. 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S: Up to 79 MPGe city and 80 MPGe highway. 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo: Up to 75 MPGe city and 75 MPGe highway.
Does Taycan hold value? ›
In just four years, the Taycan Turbo high-performance, German EV has rapidly depreciated. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Depreciation is hitting EVs harder than most other vehicles.
Is the Porsche Taycan an everyday car? ›
The Porsche Taycan GTS is perfect for your daily commute because of its range, performance, and technology. The car has a range of up to 300 miles per charge, which means that you can easily commute to work and back without having to worry about running out of battery.
Is Taycan faster than Tesla? ›
Meet the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
That's 26 seconds faster than the Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport and 18 seconds ahead of the Tesla Model S Plaid (with track package) record of 7:25:31.
Can a Taycan beat a Tesla? ›
Porsche 'Rings in New Year
A newly modified, all-electric Porsche Taycan prototype bounced its way around the 12.9-mile journey that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a quoted lap time of 7:07.55 minutes, beating the Tesla Model S Plaid's time of 7:25.23.
Is Taycan a luxury car? ›
The Porsche Taycan is a battery electric luxury sports sedan and shooting brake car produced by German automobile manufacturer Porsche.
Is the Taycan a supercar? ›
The electrified luxury masterpiece. BRABUS for Porsche Taycan Turbo S. This Next-Level supercar is the next generation of refinement. An electrified luxury Masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of design with its striking 1-Second-Wow elegance and extravagant all-electric driving fun in typical BRABUS fashion.
Will electric cars ever go 500 miles? ›
Tesla has a long-range model that can go for about 400 miles on a single charge. Breaking the charge barrier is new auto maker Lucid Motors, which has produced a car with an estimated driving range of over 500 miles.
Porsche Taycan Sales in Q4 2023
In 2023, Porsche Taycan global sales amounted to 40,629 (up 17% year-over-year), which accounts for 12.7% of the total volume. For reference, in 2022, Porsche delivered 34,801 all-electric cars (down 16% year-over-year), which at the time was 11.2% of the total volume.
How long will a Taycan last? ›
Typically, a Porsche Taycan will last around 300,000-400,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. When you're behind the wheel of the Taycan, it's vital to drive if you want to extend the longevity of this unique electric offering from Porsche.
Should I charge Taycan to 100%? ›
The following table shows approximate times to charge the Porsche Taycan. We recommend charging to 80% charge in order to protect the battery and maximise efficiency. Note that the times shown are only a guide, as very rarely will an EV need to be fully charged from 0%.
Which Taycan gets the best range? ›
Every Porsche Taycan boasts solid range and truly rapid charging speeds
| Model | Range | Wallbox charge time |
|---|
| Taycan with Performance Battery Plus | 421 miles | 13hrs 00mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) |
| Taycan 4S | 383 miles | 11hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) |
| Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus | 399 miles | 13hrs 00mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) |
1 more rowFor the 2025 model year, Porsche is giving the all-electric Taycan a particularly extensive update. The new versions benefit from more power, greater range, quicker acceleration and possibility of even faster charging. Porsche also sharpened the design and created greater differentiation for the Turbo models.
Is Porsche Taycan a supercar? ›
The Porsche Taycan Turbo: A Marvel in Electric Supercar Innovation. In the ever-evolving landscape of electric vehicles, the Porsche Taycan Turbo has emerged as a groundbreaking masterpiece, seamlessly combining the luxury and performance synonymous with the Porsche brand with the sustainability of electric power.
Why is the Porsche Taycan so fast? ›
The increased acceleration rates are generally the result of higher system output. For example, the base Taycan delivers 60 kW more than before. In the Taycan Turbo S, it's an additional 140 kW with Launch Control. This increases the system output of the top model to 700 kW/952 PS.
