Review of Porsche Taycan Turbo S finds the most complete EV to date
Newcomers and start-ups are attacking the automotive industry, but the heavyweights are beginning to fire. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is the ultimate EV weapon.
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Move over Tesla, the big guns have come to play.
While Elon Musk’s company has done an amazing job of fuelling the electric vehicle public relations machine, the world’s leading manufacturers are now in the game and are firing salvos in all directions.
One of this year’s leading EV releases has been the Porsche Taycan. Available in five sedan flavours (as well as wagon versions called the Cross), there are varying performance attributes and range which start from about $175,000 with a range of about 370km.
That’s not bad, for a Porsche, considering a base 911 Carrerra will set you back north of $250k.
But the big daddy of the Taycan family is something special. It’s fast. Outrageously quick in fact. The price-tag is equally brazen.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
KEL: Broad and imposing, Porsches naturally attract attention but this looks like a supercar.
GRANT: Some onlookers thought it was a Ferrari given the dramatic proportions. But this is super indeed, on paper the Turbo S has a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.8 seconds.
KEL: When you put your foot down I had flashbacks to the Nissan GT-R which left me grasping at the dash calling for you to slow down.
GRANT: Some experts have managed quicker times in the sprint and it feels out of this world with the acceleration accompanied by the Jetsons futuristic whirr.
KEL: There’s a lot of screens and tech once inside, I’m forecasting a hefty investment is required to have one in the driveway.
GRANT: The retail price is $345,800 so depending on options it would cost about $370k in traffic. Somewhat of a bargain you compare it to the Panamera Turbo S at circa $410,000k or $473,500 for a 911 Turbo S.
KEL: One of the biggest questions surrounding EVs is range. How far can it travel on one charge?
GRANT: About 400km, and if you use a high powered charging station it will go from five per cent to 80 in just over 20 minutes – or about 100km in five minutes.
THE LIVING SPACE
KEL: Many of the electric cars we’ve driven are similar to the petrol versions on which they are based, but with the various screens and the toggle-style gear shifter, this feels chic and individual.
GRANT: Even the front passenger can get their own touchscreen to control the infotainment system – a $2150 option fitted to our car. The driver has a 16.8-inch curved display which has five different views, then there are another two touchscreens – one positioned on the console for controlling the four-zone aircon as well as accessing car information along with the primary HD 10.9-inch screen in the dash for all the traditional menus including your phone, satnav and vehicle setup.
KEL: Collectively it’s super cool. There are two USB-C ports front and back, but I found the console location awkward and my phone positioning difficult when it was plugged into the cord.
GRANT: While Apple CarPlay can work via the Wi-Fi, the absence of wireless charging is disappointing. The storage spot under the console also needs a grippy surface otherwise anything stored slides away within sight of the first bend.
KEL: I’d also like a thicker steering wheel. Given the sporty characteristics I found it a little skinny.
GRANT: Porsche could certainly make some arrangements … there are a few items on the options list, and our car was four plus-one seater which added $1000, along with $3370 for the panoramic sunroof and $780 for the key to be painted in the same colour as the car.
KEL: The electric-powered sport seats are nice and comfy (heated front and rear), plus I love how the door handles pop out when it’s unlocked.
GRANT: Given the price it does have some nice surprises, a 14-speaker Bose stereo, as well as door sills, side skirts and rear diffuser made from carbon, while it also has thermally insulated glass all-round.
THE COMMUTE
KEL: There was one occasion where a guy was sitting right on my bumper in a 60km/h area, we hit the 100km/h zone and I floored it. We didn’t see him again.
GRANT: The power at the whim of your right foot is outrageous. Launch control on some vehicles can be quite the process on some cars, not the Taycan. Turn the steering wheel mode to “Sport”, jam on the brake and accelerator simultaneously and the notification comes up in the instruments – take your foot off the brake and it erupts off the line.
KEL: When it accelerates at full power the velocity can be brutal. One of my friends almost had to reapply her makeup after you dropped us off at dinner.
GRANT: From a standing start it pulls g-forces in the realm of 1.2 which is faster than a free-fall parachutist.
KEL: Travelling on the highway it was quiet and the ride was still comfortable even though you’re sitting low to the ground.
GRANT: Many EVs do their best work in stop-start traffic, but the Taycan proved efficient and didn’t consume excessive battery power even when at 110km/h. Those launch control tests do have an ability to drain things somewhat.
THE SHOPPING
KEL: Going to the shops gave me anxiety with the height of the front apron. It does have a brilliant chassis-lift function where you can raise the car for speed bumps and the like (it made getting out of our steep driveway easier), but I was still wary.
GRANT: The driver has a true sports car position so it’s vital to use the all-round camera view.
KEL: Boot space is also small so a big grocery shop would see bags spill over into the back seat.
GRANT: The rear pew folds 60-40 so for all its supercar abilities there is a capacity for daily duties. Plus there is an extra storage space under the bonnet.
THE SUNDAY RUN
KEL: Stretching the legs of the Taycan is so much fun. It finally feels like a real car, not something benign like many of the mainstream EV offerings.
GRANT: Porsche calls it emissions free. Not emotions free. While many EVs are fast in a straight line, the Taycan lives up to its brand heritage when the roads curve. Massive disc brakes rival the fanciest dinner plates you’ll ever see, and collectively it accelerates, stops and corners with greater precision than we’ve ever experienced from an EV.
KEL: The greatest worry for me would be the range. If you get too carried away on a drive you may find yourself stuck.
GRANT: Infrastructure is still catching up, so longer trips do take some planning. The long-term consumption was 24.6kwh/100km, but that dropped to below 20 on one trip so the circa 400km range was accurate.
THE FAMILY
KEL: One advantage over the Taycan compared to a sport 911 is the space. We had a full carload on a couple of occasions and there is ample legroom for adults.
GRANT: And easy fitment of kids seats too with ISOFIX mounting points.
KEL: Charging did seem to take a long time, one of the home fast chargers would be a must.
GRANT: We made the most of solar power and only used a household 10-amp plug. One charge of 24 hours saw only 33.9kW/h returned to the battery (about 170km of range). A proper wallbox version would take it from 0-100 per cent in nine hours.
KEL: Not that buyers paying this would be after savings, but how much would it cost compared to petrol?
GRANT: Given current petrol prices, still vastly cheaper. Probably about $4-$5 per 100km depending on your electricity costs – you’d easily double that with premium unleaded.
THE VERDICT
KEL: Luxury personified, the Taycan is beautiful inside and out. The version is crazy fast, probably too fast for my liking and needs, but I can see the appeal for those with deep pockets ready to take the EV plunge.
GRANT: The Taycan is the most complete EV we’ve driven. Despite the lack of a traditional engine soundtrack, it has more on-road prowess than anything else currently on the electric market.
AT A GLANCE
PORSCHE TAYCAN TURBO S
PRICE About $366,000 drive-away (expensive)
WARRANTY 3yr/unl’td km (average), no capped price servicing (long intervals)
MOTOR Dual motors, up to 560kW/ 1050Nm (insane)
SAFETY 10 airbags, AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking sensors, blind-spot warning (OK)
CONSUMPTION 285Wh/km 405km range (good)
SPARE None, repair kit (common nowadays)
BOOT 447 litres (366 boot, 81 front)
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