After what seems an eternity of previews and teasers, Porsche has finally revealed its all-electric Taycan in all its glory ahead of next week’s Frankfurt motor show.
Plans for production of an all-electric Porsche were first revealed in 2015 with the Mission E concept, and now the production version has been realised.
Confusingly, Porsche is calling its two trim levels ‘Turbo’ and ‘Turbo S’ – despite the Taycan having no turbo at all since it doesn’t actually have an internal combustion engine.
The Taycan Turbo S uses a 93.4kWh battery linked to a motor on each axle, which sends at total 61hp to all four wheels to give a 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds and a 161mph top speed. Range is pegged at 252 miles between charges.
Taycan Turbo variants produce less power at 680hp, with 0-60mph covered in 3.2 seconds and a top speed identical to the S, while range is boosted to 279 miles.
Unusually for a road-going EV, the Taycan uses a two-speed gearbox. This first gear is said to maximise acceleration, with the second aiding refinement at higher speeds.
Equipped with an 800-volt charging system, the Taycan is said to be capable of receiving 62 miles worth of charge in five minutes when plugged into a DC charger. Porsche also says the battery can be charged from flat to 80% in less than 23 minutes “under ideal conditions”, with maximum charging power coming in at 270kW.
Aiding performance is the addition of Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control and Active Suspension Management systems. Additionally, ‘Range’ mode joins the line-up of selectable driving settings, alongside ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport Plus’ and ‘Individual’.
Inside the car, Porsche has done away with the majority of the traditional switchgear, replacing most buttons and dials with touchscreen functions in an 11-inch infotainment display. A new ‘Hey Porsche’ voice control system is also set to feature.
An entirely leather-free interior will be offered for the first time in a Porsche, instead using ‘innovative recycled materials’. The lack of an internal combustion engine also allows for two boot spaces like a Tesla Model S — 81 litres up front and 366 litres at the rear.
Pricing for the Porsche Taycan starts from £115,858, securing a Turbo model, with Turbo S variants available from £138,826. The firm has confirmed lower-output and ultimately more affordable variants of the car will be available later in the year, with a more practical Cross Turismo body style expected to arrive in late 2020.
