THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF electric vehicles continues unabated. Perhaps the most significant development is that many of them are now desirable for reasons other than ecological considerations.
Whatever its motive power, we’d be happy to own a new Porsche Taycan, That it is Porsche’s first all-electric sports car only adds to its appeal.
The Taycan is now available to order and will arrive in Australia from December 2020, available in three model grades, Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S.
The Taycan 4S is priced from $191,000 (plus on road costs), the Taycan Turbo is priced from $269,100 and the Taycan Turbo S from $339,100.
The Taycan 4S produces up to 390kW and 640Nm of torque, performance output coupled with a two-speed transmission and powered by an 79.2kWh Performance Battery.
The Taycan 4S accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. The range is 365 km when the battery is fully charged.
The Performance Battery Plus package on the Taycan 4S is available as an option. It increases battery capacity to 93.4kWh resulting in a notable performance increase of up to 420kW of power and 650Nm of torque, as well as an increased range of up to 414 km.
The Taycan Turbo generates up to 500kW of overboost power in combination with Launch Control and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds with a range of 420 km and a top speed of 260 km/h.
The flagship Taycan Turbo S can generate up to 560 kW of overboost power in combination with Launch Control. The Taycan Turbo S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and has a range of 405 km.
Charging the Porsche Taycan in Australia
The Taycan is the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts, instead of the usual 400 volts for many electric cars. This enables consistent high performance, reduces the charging time and decreases the weight and installation space of the cabling. It also boasts a maximum peak charging capacity of 270 kW (Performance battery Plus).
Australian models come with the Mobile Charger Connect as standard, providing intelligent charging functions as well as a Charging Cable (Mode 3) for use at AC public charging stations. For charging at 400 volt charging points, a 150 kW on-board DC-Charger is standard in Australia.
In Australia, owners will have several ways to charge their Taycan, including High Performance Charging, Home Charging and Porsche Destination Charging.
High Performance Charging
Porsche Cars Australia has partnered with Chargefox, Australia’s largest EV charging network operator. Taycan owners will receive a complimentary three year subscription to the Chargefox Ultra-Rapid DC charging network (up to 350 kW), and complimentary charging at selected Chargefox-managed Fast DC charging sites (mostly 50 kW).
The complimentary subscription period begins on delivery of the vehicle. Owners can download the Chargefox app via Google Play or Apple App Store.
Home Charging
When purchasing a Taycan in Australia, Porsche Centre sales consultants are able to arrange a Home Check service in order to determine installation requirements for charging at home. For that Porsche Centres have partnered with JETCharge who can deliver expert advice on home charging solutions.
The Home Energy Manager can dynamically optimise the charging process in terms of performance, time and costs. This standard specification item, correctly integrated into your domestic power network, continually monitors the power requirements of your Taycan and the available output of the power supply.
Porsche Destination Charging
When on the road, the Taycan, as well as Porsche plug-in hybrid models, benefits from the expanding Porsche Destination Charging network being installed across metro and regional sites.
Porsche Destination Chargers capable of AC charging are being installed across both metropolitan and regional sites giving owners access to complimentary charging of Porsche models.
Porsche Destination Charging will continue to be installed at premium lifestyle destinations such as luxury hotels, theatres and entertainment venues, restaurants, shopping precincts and cellar door locations.
Porsche owners should visit the Porsche Destination Charging network section online to find charging locations as the network continues to grow. As chargers are activated they will be added to the ’charging at your destination’ section.
Australian Standard Specifications
Australian models gain a range of standard equipment over and above worldwide standard specifications.
All three Taycan models come with a Porsche Charging Dock, a Mobile Charger Connect module, a charging cable for domestic sockets, two charging cables for industrial sockets and the Home Energy Manager to assist with the setup of efficient charging infrastructure at home.
In Australia, all Taycan models are equipped with the most up-to-date Public Charging hardware. This includes the 150kW on-board DC-Charger, for use at 400-volt charging points, and a Mode 3 public charging cable compatible with the majority of AC charging networks already established in Australia.
In addition, all three model grades will be equipped with Surround View, Comfort Access, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, front seat ventilation, steering wheel heating, rear side airbags, electrically folding exterior mirrors, digital radio and privacy glazing.
Additional Australian standard equipment for the Taycan 4S includes 20-inch Taycan Sport Aero wheels, metallic paint, front seat heating, 14-way electric comfort seats, Auto-dimming mirrors as well as the BOSE Surround Sound system.
The Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S will also gain driving dynamic and comfort features like Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) Sport, four-zone Advanced Climate Control and ambient lighting.
A three year comprehensive Porsche Connect Service Package with online functions and remote services will be standard across the Taycan range. This includes online navigation, Radio Plus, News, Weather, Calendar, Apple CarPlay, Remote Services and media streaming with up to six months complimentary Apple Music subscription.
The new Porsche Taycan: Australian Pricing (plus on road costs)
Taycan 4S $191,000
Taycan Turbo $269,100
Taycan Turbo S $339,100
Once we have tested and assessed the new Porsche Taycan, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.