2022 Porsche Taycan GTS review

The latest weapon from this famed German brand provides rapid acceleration and physics-defying roadholding in one head-turning package.

The Taycan GTS is the eighth different version of Porsche’s first – and phenomenally successful – stab at an electric car. Not bad for a model that didn’t exist two years ago.

Standing for Gran Turismo Sport, the GTS recipe involves dialling up sportiness while maintaining enough comfort for everyday use.

At $241,900 before on-roads it’s an expensive sweet spot, but less than the Turbo ($281,900) and Turbo S ($352,600) Taycans – the flagship models that accelerate so rapidly your eyes bleed.

The Porsche Taycan line-up now included a GTS variant.

This new GTS reaches 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, nine-tenths slower than the Turbo S.

The GTS is fitted with Porsche’s top-level 93.4kWh Performance Battery Plus, which claims 485km electric range – more than any other Taycan. It refills quickly too, from 5 to 80 per cent in 22.5 minutes at an ultra rapid public charger, or to 100 per cent in nine hours (overnight) with a home wallbox charger.

Maximum power is 440kW using launch control (it’s “just” 380kW normally) alongside 850Nm of instant torque. Electric motors on each axle are modified Taycan Turbo units, programmed to send more oomph to the rear to suit the GTS’ sportier remit. This is the Taycan you want at the racetrack.

It has the longest driving range of any Taycan.

Its adaptive air suspension and electronic shock absorbers have been GTS-tailored to enhance handling and dynamics, improving a normal Taycan’s already physics-defying roadholding.

And it’s worked. On track the GTS is seriously quick, especially with Sport Plus selected on the racy-feeling steering wheel. A GTS’s sport modes are sportier than other Taycans, meaning a more playful, attacking personality. Certainly the fast corner grip and balance levels are utterly brain-bending.

This despite the fact the GTS weighs a lardy 2295kg. Really push the Taycan and it can’t hide its bulk. Those familiar with the finesse of a Porsche 911 or Cayman, for example, will recognise how hard it is to make a heavy EV feel like a purist sports car.

The inside is full of digital screens and top-shelf materials.

You’ll not care on public roads and highways, though. The GTS is whisper quiet cruising in Normal mode, while its air suspension rapidly adjusts to imperfections for a serene grand touring experience.

Find a few fun corners and Sport mode tightens everything up for thrilling point-to-point attack. Steering, in particular, delivers brilliant feedback.

We even bested Porsche’s economy figures in these conditions, showing 500km range – all you’d ever need – is do-able.

The Taycan GTS is an excellent car to steer providing plenty of feedback and thrills.

While Porsche provides all the equipment needed for charging, plus a three-year Chargefox subscription, the brand still persists with a stingy three-year warranty and our test car managed to add $47,000 of cost options.

But your cash buys the most purposeful looking Taycan in the range. Dark detailing coats bumpers, side skirts and Porsche logos, while wheels are satin black 20-inchers hiding giant 390mm front brakes. Inside it’s a sea of screens – three as standard, a fourth in front of the passenger is optional – with Porsche’s suede-like seats, door panels, centre console and the chunky steering wheel. The GTS feels less grand tourer, more sumptuous race car.

The GTS costs more than $250,000.

VERDICT 4.5/5

The Taycan is a triumph in any grade, but the GTS is the sweet spot and the pick for the track enthusiast.

PORSCHE TAYCAN GTS VITALS

PRICE About $264,000 drive-away

MOTOR Dual synchronous, up to 440kW/850Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICE 3-year/unlimited km, no capped price servicing

SAFETY 10 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist

ENERGY USE 25.9kWh/100km

RANGE 485KM

CARGO 450 litres

SPARE None

ELECTRIC DOMINATION

Australians bought more than 500 Taycans in 2021, well eclipsing sales of Porsche’s brand-defining 911 sports car. It was our third highest-selling electric car behind only the vastly cheaper Tesla Model 3 and MG ZS EV.

So far in 2022, the Taycan dominates the prestige large car segment. Its 32 per cent market share shades longstanding favourites the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Porsche Australia says it could sell a lot more if only it had supply. Any ordered now would be highly unlikely to arrive before 2023. Seems the cost-of-living crisis isn’t affecting everyone.

Originally published as 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS review