By jettisoning that “4S” badge (and saving $24,900 within the course of), the entry Taycan mannequin comes solely with rear-wheel drive, due to a single, aft-mounted electrical motor that makes 402 hp (300 kW) and 254 pound-feet (344 newton-meters) in customary type. Porsche may also supply a Efficiency Battery Plus possibility that ups energy to 469 hp and 263 lb-ft (350 kW and 357 Nm) by swapping out a 79.2-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion unit for one which holds 93.4 kWh.
Cost It!
In both case, the bottom Porsche Taycan will dash to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in 5.1 seconds – the bigger, heavier battery seemingly hampers off-the-line response, however it comes into its personal on the quarter mile, the place it cuts 0.2-second from the bottom setup’s 13.7-second time. Efficiency Battery Plus is able to 270-kW charging, in comparison with 225 kW for the bottom pack. Each batteries can go from 5 % to 80 % cost in 22.5 minutes, though clearly the bigger battery will present extra general vary in that point.
Talking of vary, Porsche did not launch EPA scores, however in accordance with the NEDC customary, the Chinese language-market Taycan can journey 256 miles (412 kilometers) with the bottom battery or 303 miles (489 kilometers) with the Efficiency Battery Plus. Making use of some tough math derived from the consultants at InsideEVs, we expect the bottom Taycan will probably be EPA-rated at about 200 miles, whereas higher-capacity battery could have a variety of 230 miles, numbers that match the dual-motor 4S. It is also value noting that InsideEVs has freeway-tested a Porsche Taycan 4S, reaching practically 280 miles on a single cost – besting Porsche’s EPA quantity by 50 miles.
Up To Snuff
Paying 80 grand for an EPA vary of 200 miles per cost is not precisely good cash in a world the place the Tesla Mannequin S begins at $69,420 and goes greater than 400 miles. However as with different Porsches, the bottom Taycan offers extra to its proprietor than its spec chart would counsel. For starters, it’s going to get a fairly good inside with Porsche-signature match and end, in addition to a slinky, low-slung form that cheats wind with a drag coefficient of 0.24 (matching the Mannequin S). When it comes to cabin supplies, the dearer Porsche beats the Tesla by a rustic mile.
Porsche Lively Suspension Administration comes customary, though an out there air suspension improves aerodynamics (with a Cd of 0.22) and flexibility additional. To assist compensate for its decrease energy output, the rear-drive Taycan is lighter by 200 kilos than an equal 4S. The Taycan will supply each Porsche Floor-Coated Brakes and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes as an possibility, although we expect that the bottom stoppers will serve simply high quality (significantly since they provide a class-leading recuperation charge of 265 kW). That sort of brake regen in all probability saves a number of put on and warmth biking on the traditional friction brakes.
Day To Day
Like the remainder of the Porsche EV lineup, the bottom Taycan will include three years of free Electrify America charging. It’ll supply a 19.2-kW on-board charger as an possibility, bettering flexibility for house owners who usually must recharge away from residence. Commonplace options embody wi-fi Apple CarPlay, embedded Apple Music, and over-the-air updates for the Porsche Join infotainment system.
As on the Porsche 911, new Taycan house owners can observe the progress of their order – from construct to supply – from their telephones. The automaker hasn’t introduced an on-sale date for the rear-drive 2021 Porsche Taycan, however we expect it will likely be out there quickly.