In three simultaneous events across Canada, China and Germany, Porsche has finally shown the world its fully-electric Taycan. The Taycan Turbo and Turbo S has a lot going for it, but will you buy one over a Tesla?
After months of speculation, waiting, and staring at concept pictures of the Porsche Taycan, it has been revealed in the flesh. Three Taycan events were held, each one taking place near a centre for renewable energy. Hydropower at Niagara Falls in Canada, Neuhardenberg near Berlin and a wind farm on Pingtan Island in China’s Fuzhou.
More than four years in the making, the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S are the brand’s first leap into the world of electronic vehicles and it has done so in head-turning fashion.
The car looks like some kind of love-child between the 911 and the Panamera, it has sleek curves and a slopping back like a 911, while having a bit more of a presence and sedan feel like the Panamera. Far from a typical sedan however, the car has a hyper-modern interior with about as many digital screens as a Bond car would have secret buttons.
Porsche is out to prove it can be a game changer without being a gas-guzzler. The Turbo and Turbo S are fitted with two electric motors, one on the front axle and another on the rear. Though an all-wheel drive car, a two-speed transmission and 800-volt architecture is installed onto the rear axle.
“The Taycan stands for the change necessary for Porsche to remain Porsche,” Detlev von Platen, Porsche AG board member of sales and marketing said during the presentation.
Moving onto what all this means and numbers you’ll understand, the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S can produce 750 horsepower (560 kW) and 670 horsepower (500kW) respectively, both will a top speed of 161 mph. The Turbo S can reach 60 mph from 0 in 2.8 seconds whereas the Turbo takes 0.2 seconds longer.
The Turbo S then has a 0-60 stat which matches its petrol-powered 911 Turbo S counterpart, not to mention the electric car having 180 horsepower up on the 911. It’s clear Porsche can make electric vehicles (EV) that both retain Porsche’s performance standards and unmistakable style. The next question that crops up is if it will be a Tesla killer?
Elon Musk’s Tesla has long since been king of the castle in the EV game. According to stats from Cleantechica, 75% of all electric vehicles sold in the US in the first quarter of 2019 were Teslas. It also turns out that Tesla holds 80% of the electric vehicle market share.
The monopoly Tesla holds is finally facing competition, Porsche is here to offer an alternative to prospective luxury electric sedan owners.
The Taycan Turbo S has a top speed which is two mph higher than Tesla’s Model S Performance, the cars also split hairs in terms of acceleration where the Model S has a 0-60 mph of 2.4 seconds. Where the Tesla pulls ahead is price and range, The Model S Performance starts at US $99,990, making it over US $80,000 cheaper than the Taycan flagship. The Taycan Turbo and Turbo S clock in at US $150,900 and US $185,000 respectively.
Tesla’s also have a highest range estimation of around 370 miles per charge, whereas the Taycan’s max is around 279 miles.
Teslas may be cheaper and slightly more practical, but Taycans are primed to offer a more luxurious interior, not to mention the inherent bragging rights of owning a Porsche.
Whether or not Porsche can dethrone Tesla as the EV leader, it’s the first car we’ve seen that we would put in the same category as a Model S or 3, and that’s very exciting.
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