Electric cars are soon to hit consumers like a pile of bricks. Legacy automakers are grasping electrification with both hands and are moving all-in on a cleaner, more sustainable, future. The Porsche Taycan is here and it marks a new era for many. New auto manufacturers such as Tesla and a few others have sprung up in recent years to fulfill demand in the modest niche. That small group of people willing to drive electric has been increasing exponentially throughout the years making it worthwhile for larger companies to invest in making the already superior tech even excel. Porsche being one of the first by introducing electric sports cars to the masses with the Porsche Taycan.
Porsche is owned by parent company Volkswagen Group who also happens to own some of the largest automakers like Audi, VW, and even Lamborghini. After, and maybe even in consideration of, the Dieselgate scandal, the Volkswagen Group has pledged commitment into turning over a new leaf and going fully electric. Sitting as one of the world’s largest auto groups, they plan to develop 70 different electric models and produce 22 million electric cars within the next decade. The unrecognized electric car company currently leads the pack with $91 billion dedicated towards electrification through 2025.
As a result, one of the first cars on that list comes in the form of an electric sports car from Porsche. The Porsche Taycan is in no way another compliance car aimed to meet new regulation standards. Porsche has packed everything they’ve got into this industry breaking electric car aimed to please both fans and skeptics. Many are claiming Porsche to be Tesla’s first true competitor with the Taycan directed towards a similar audience. That statement is definitely debatable with the Porsche Taycan starting at double the cost of the Tesla Model S.
| Production Start: | 2019 |
| Range: | 256 – 280 miles (WLTP) |
| Horsepower: | 615 – 670 |
| 0-60: | 2.6 – 3.0 seconds |
| Top Speed: | 161 mph |
| Battery: | 93.4 kWh |
| Charging Capacity: | 270 kW |
In order for the Porsche Taycan to achieve the best driving dynamic on all weather conditions and roadways, the company spent much time stress testing around the globe at temperatures ranging from -31 °F (-35°C) to 122°F (50°C). The first electric car from Porsche is designed to maintain performance and range in all driving conditions. This would put it ahead of the game as most electric cars tend to deplete in both range and speed after just a little bit of time on a track.
Porsche has stated that their electric sports car has undergone the same rigorous testing done to all of their notorious sports cars. An estimated 1,000 people have helped drive the Taycan through 3.7 million miles (6 million km) and counting. Of that, 1.25 million miles (2 million km) were endurance runs used for testing performance. Another 6.2 million miles (10 million km) of testing was done through virtual simulation to assure this electric vehicle tops them all.
The company also recently put the Porsche Taycan through a 24 hour long endurance run aimed to stress test the vehicle and prove that it could indeed maintain performance without overheating. Thanks to their innovative thermal management system, the Taycan was able to maintain speeds from 121-133 mph (195-215 kph) and race a total of 2,128 miles (3,425 km). No other electric production car has been able to achieve and maintain such ludicrous numbers. Not only are other electric race cars known to not be able to maintain such speeds, they even tend to overheat and malfunction.
“The Taycan’s sophisticated thermal management also proved itself in Nardò. Thermal management revolves around a highly efficient, intelligent system for cooling and heating the high-voltage components. This prevents potential power losses due to excessive heat generation and ensures that the optimum temperature for the most efficient charging process has been reached when the vehicle arrives at a charging station.”
Previously, the Taycan was put through 26 consecutive high speed launches. The average time for these 0–200 km/h (0-124 mph) launches landed around 10 seconds. What’s more impressive is that the difference between the slowest and fastest attempt was just 0.8 seconds. While other cars such as the Tesla Model S Performance might have the Taycan’s specs beat on paper, Porsche has designed an electric car that will be able to maintain its speed on and off the track with little to no extra wear to its range or performance. This means that the Porsche Taycan will most likely outrun every other electric car on a track regardless of its initial slightly slower 2.8 second 0-60 launch time. This is in part thanks to their industry first 800-volt system.
Porsche has both proven and demonstrated that last week at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife race track. They set the record for fastest lap time in a four-door, all-electric sports cars. The Porsche Taycan ran the 12.8 mile (20.6 kilometer) lap in just seven minutes and 42 seconds (7:42 min). To be fair, no other four-door all-electric sports car has attempted the run but it’s best they don’t embarrass themselves up against this beast.
Funny enough, the overall lap record set at the track was done by another electric car created by Porsche’s sister company, Volkswagen. The all-electric Volkswagen I.D.R ran a 6:05.33 lap time earlier this year. As time goes on, we will see more and more electric cars top the charts. Oh, how times are changing. The I.D.R is a non street legal track car and cannot fairly be compared with the Porsche Taycan apart from them both having electric drivetrains.
If you would like to test out how hard this feat is for yourself, our friends over at TopSpeed have some race car inspired flash games to help you pass the time and test out your skills.
This electric race car is not just about speed. Porsche is known to boast interior quality and designs fit for even the most picky of individuals. Both the interior and exterior of the Porsche Taycan is highly customizable with over 100 unique options. Everything to the material of your steering wheel has multiple options to choose from. The company is also improving their tech side by offering up to 5 different driver displays and touch screens with haptic feedback and handwriting recognition as well as multiple adaptive cruise control and park assist options. The Porsche Taycan also happens to be the first production car integrated with Apple Music.
The Taycan is a 4-door with a 2+1 option. Its starting price is on the higher side with a base of $150,900 for the Turbo trim. Apart from its prestigious pricing, it compares fairly to similar cars in its category. The Porsche Taycan Turbo has a range of 256 miles (WLTP) with 616 hp and a 0-60 of 3 seconds. The higher trim, the Turbo S, starts at $185,000 and has a range of 280 miles (WLTP) with 670 hp and a 0-60 of 2.6 seconds. This makes the Taycan Porsche’s fastest accelerating car surpassing the 911 Turbo S.
The first true all electric production sports car was unveiled yesterday and will be displayed at the Frankfurt Autoshow. Porsche has stated that their first new-age electric car is already sold out for the first year. The company plans to produce 40,000 units per year which compares with the 50,000 Tesla Model S’s delivered in 2018. A lower priced single motor version is rumored to be in the works, we suspect this as true. In order for Porsche to compete against Tesla in numbers they will have to offer something in a similar price point.
The Porsche Taycan configurator is available online and you can preorder your car today.
