View Photos of the New 2020 Porsche Taycan
The 750-hp Turbo S and 670-hp Turbo models will be the first to arrive, starting over $150,000.
The new Taycan is an electric sports sedan that marks a turning point for Porsche. Tesla has proven that there is a market for luxury EVs, and so Porsche is finally jumping into that fray with this new fastback sedan, which is slightly smaller than a Panamera and roughly the same length as a Tesla Model S. The Taycan will initially be offered in 750-horsepower Turbo S and 670-horsepower Turbo versions, both of which use a 93.0-kWh battery pack and an electric motor mounted in both the front and rear axles.
The Taycan will initially be offered in Turbo and Turbo S forms, despite the fact that it is powered by electric motors and does not have a turbocharger.
The Taycan Turbo has a combined 670 horsepower, while the Taycan Turbo S packs a whopping 750 horsepower.
We estimate an EPA-rated driving range of between 235 miles and 265 miles, although official numbers are not yet available.
The Taycan has a 93.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
If you charge the Taycan at one of Porsche's new 350-kilowatt DC fast charging stations, its high maximum charging power of 270 kilowatts means that the battery can go from a 5 percent charge to an 80 percent charge in just over 22 minutes.
Electric motors reside at both the front and rear axles, making for all-wheel drive.
Unlike other EVs which use a single-speed gearbox, the Taycan uses a two-speed transmission for the electric motor mounted on the rear axle, helping both efficiency and acceleration.
Porsche claims a zero-to-60-mph-time for the Taycan Turbo S of a scant 2.6 seconds, and 3.0 seconds for the Turbo. Both models have a claimed top speed of 162 mph.
A full-width taillight mimics the lighting setup found on other Porsche models.
Four large screens, including an optional one in front of the passenger, dominate the interior.
The 16.8-inch digital gauge cluster is configurable, and the 10.9-inch center screen runs a new infotainment layout.
The curved, hoodless digital gauge cluster from the Mission E concept makes it into production.
The screen in front of the passenger is optional and is another access point for various infotainment functions.
Both leather and leather-free interior options are offered.
The Taycan is the first electric car with two charge ports, one on each front flank.
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
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