If you read our Porsche Taycan sets electric drift record story and you know a thing or two about Porsche's electric sportscar, you'll have noted that the vehicle used to set the record had rear-wheel drive, unlike the existing Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S all-wheel-drive models. Well, now you too can set your own drift records, as the entry-level Porsche Taycan is going on sale here. (Not that we advocate using its record-setting 'talents' on the public road. Obviously.)
Porsche Taycan tech specs
The new model does without the front-mounted electric motor of its siblings, but it still makes up to 476hp. That figure, admittedly, is in the Launch Control overboost mode, and only available if you opt for the more expensive Performance Battery Plus. That has an energy capacity of 93.4kWh, enabling a WLTP range of up to 484 kilometres, and it can be charged at a rate of up to 270kW. The true entry-level Taycan gets a smaller and lighter 79.2kWh battery, which is still good for 431 kilometres, though its maximum charging rate is 225kW. That means both can be charged from 5-80 per cent in 22.5 minutes, or add 100km of range in five minutes.
Incidentally, the nominal power output with the bigger battery is 380hp, while the standard item allows 326hp ('overboosting' to 408hp). Despite the extra power that comes with the bigger battery, both versions are given the same official 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds, and a top speed of 230km/h.
Equipment to choose from
Badging aside, there's not a lot to visually set the Taycan apart from its 4S sibling, as it shares its black front apron, side sills and rear diffuser. LED headlights are standard, as are 19-inch 'Taycan Aero' alloy wheels and black anodised brake callipers. Buyers can upgrade the standard brakes to larger diameter Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) discs for a fee. PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management - electronic damper control) is standard, in conjunction with steel springs. The latter can be replaced with adaptive air suspension, including the 'Smartlift' active height-adjustment feature.
Certain aspects of the Taycan can be upgraded remotely if the owner decides they'd like to add a feature. Right now, the options are Porsche InnoDrive and Power Steering Plus.
Irish pricing for the new Porsche Taycan is not available yet, but, going on the starting price of the Taycan 4S (€104,634), we hope it drops below the €90,000 mark.