Porsche adds cheaper, lighter Taycan to its electric lineup



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On Tuesday, Porsche rounded out its range of Taycan electric vehicles with a cheaper and lighter variant. It’s simply called the Porsche Taycan – no S, no Turbo, not even numbers – and it differs from other Taycans because of having only one electric motor, which drives the rear wheels. It is even a very interesting price … for a Porsche. At $ 79,900 (before any tax credit or incentive), that’s almost $ 24,000 cheaper than the next variant in the lineup, the Taycan 4S.

As with the 4S, you have a choice of two batteries. The standard Taycan comes with a 79.2 kWh (full capacity) pack and a rear engine capable of 321 hp (240 kW) and 250 lb-ft (339 Nm), increasing to 402 hp (300 kW) and 254 lb-ft (344 Nm) if using launch control. Do it – when exiting a highway tollbooth, for example – and the Taycan will hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Find a stretch of German motorway with restricted access, and eventually the Taycan will hit 230 km / h. At 4,566 lbs (2,071 kg), it’s the lightest Taycan, although the 0.24 drag coefficient makes it slightly less slippery than the 4S or Turbo, unless you add the optional air suspension back in.

Thanks to Porsche’s 800V electrical architecture, fast charging is indeed fast. Connected to a 350kW capable DC fast charger, the Taycan will charge up to 225kW and 5-80% state-of-charge in 22.5 minutes, just like more expensive Taycans. An official EPA range is expected to be available in the next few weeks, so for now an EU figure of 28 kWh / 100 km – which equates to 2.2 miles / kWh, with the understanding that the WLTP test is very different from that of the EPA, which makes a direct comparison difficult – is all the information we have. (The Taycan is known to have greater range in the real world than its EPA rating.)

But wait, there is more

If you want a little more power and a little more range, the Taycan is also available with a “Performance Battery Plus” of 93.4 kWh (again, full capacity). This brings the price up to $ 85,680 (again, before the incentives), but also increases horsepower to 375 hp (280 kW) or 469 hp (350 kW) and 263 lb-ft (357 Nm) during the use of launch control. The bigger battery adds more curb weight (4742 lbs / 2151 kg), so the 0-60 mph and top speed are the same, although the performance plus battery the car is a bit faster in the quarter mile standing.

The larger battery can take a more powerful load – 270 kW like the much more expensive Taycans. The recharge time should always be 22.5 minutes from 5 to 80% of the state of charge.

I have to admit, I’m more than a little curious about getting behind the wheel of a standard Taycan. The loss of the front motor-generator assembly saves 93 kg (205 lb) compared to the Taycan 4S, and all that weight has been removed from the front axle, which should improve the Taycan’s ability to change direction, an exercise in which he already excels.

What makes the Taycan entry even more intriguing is the fact that it is cheaper than a 911, even before the IRS tax credit of $ 7,500 is recognized. That’s $ 19,300 cheaper than the cheapest new 911, in fact, for a car with better tech, incredible interior, usable rear seats, and no tailpipe emissions. Is it just me or has the future just happened?

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