Porsche has unveiled its first fully-electric sports car, the Taycan, and we can’t get enough!
There’s no doubt that Porsche has strayed from its own style path over the past decade but its latest creation, the Taycan, a new series of eye-watering, earth-friendly pocket rockets, just might be enough to win you back again.
The first models in the new series are the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo, two models at the cutting edge of Porsche E-performance and among the most powerful production models that the sports car manufacturer currently has in its range. Less powerful variants of these all-wheel drive vehicles will follow this year, including the Taycan Cross Turismo.
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The flagship Turbo S version can generate up to 560 kW overboost power in combination with Launch Control, sophisticated technology taken from F1 (which ended up banning it), and the Taycan Turbo up to 500 kW, so you won’t want for power. The Taycan Turbo S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in an eye-blistering 2.8 seconds, while the Taycan Turbo completes this sprint in 3.2 seconds, which isn’t too shabby at all.
In terms of range (and that’s always a question when it comes to electric cars), the Turbo S has a range of up to 412 kilometres, and the Turbo a range of up to 450 kilometres with both all-wheel-drive cars boasting a top speed 260 km/h.
The Taycan is the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts for electric cars. This is a particular advantage for Taycan drivers on the road: in just over five minutes, the battery can be recharged using direct current (DC) from the high-power charging network for a range of up to 100 kilometres. The charging time for five to 80 percent is 22.5 minutes or about the time it takes to enjoy a nice coffee. Taycan drivers can also comfortably charge their cars with up to eleven kW of alternating current (AC) at home.
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The Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo have two exceptionally efficient electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear axle, thus making the cars all-wheel drive. The electric ‘machine’, transmission and pulse-controlled inverter are each combined into a compact drive module, each of which has the highest power density of all-electric powertrains on the market today. A special feature of the electric motors is the “hairpin” winding of the stator coils. This technology makes it possible to incorporate more copper in the stator, increasing power output and torque while maintaining the same component volume.
The two-speed transmission installed on the rear axle is an innovation developed by Porsche. First gear gives the Taycan even more acceleration from a standing start, while second gear with a long gear ratio ensures high efficiency and equally high-power reserves. This also applies at very high speeds.
The profile of the different model’s driving modes basically follows the same philosophy as in other Porsche model series. This is supplemented by special settings which enable optimum use of the purely electric drive. Four driving modes are available: “Range”, “Normal”, “Sport” and “Sport Plus”. In addition, individual systems can be configured as required in the “Individual” mode.
Of course, you don’t just buy an electric Porsche because of its reduced carbon footprint. With its clean, puristic design, the Taycan signals the beginning of a new era, while retaining the unmistakable Porsche design DNA. From the front it looks particularly wide and flat with highly contoured wings. The silhouette is shaped by the sporty roofline sloping downward to the rear. The highly sculpted side sections are also characteristic. The sleek cabin, the drawn-in rear C-pillar and the pronounced shoulders of the wings result in a sharply emphasised rear, typical of the brand. There are also innovative elements such as the glass-effect Porsche logo, which has been integrated into the light bar at the rear. With a Cd value from 0.22, the aerodynamically optimised basic shape makes a significant contribution to low energy consumption and thus long range.
The cockpit however, is all about new architecture. The freestanding, curved instrument cluster forms the highest point on the dashboard, placing a clear focus on the driver axis. A central, 10.9-inch infotainment display and an optional passenger display are combined to form an integrated glass band in a black-panel look. All user interfaces have been newly designed for the Taycan while the number of classic hardware controls, such as switches and buttons, has been greatly reduced and replaced with intelligent and intuitive touch operations and voice control functions. Can you say “Hey Porsche”?
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With the Taycan, Porsche offers an entirely leather-free interior for the first time. Interiors made from innovative recycled materials underscore the sustainable concept of the electric sports car. Recesses in the battery in the rear footwell ensure sitting comfort in the rear and allow the low vehicle height typical of sports cars while two luggage compartments are available, with the front compartment featuring a capacity of 81 litres and the rear 366 litres.
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