Porsche just officially took the wraps off its first long-range electric car, the Porsche Taycan. Here’s everything you need to know.

Price

For now, the Porsche Taycan comes in two flavors, the “Turbo” (which is not turbocharged) at $153,310 and the “Turbo S” at $187,610. With options, and Porsche loves those options, many an S could exceed $200,000. Cheaper models will appear later in 2020 according to Porsche.

Taycan Turbo vs Taycan Turbo S

The S model makes 616 hp but can top out at 750 hp with launch control and overboost. It also has 774 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo maxes at 670 hp and makes 626 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 60 mph time is 2.6 seconds vs. the Turbo’s 0 to 60 time is 3.0 seconds. 

The S is seven inches wider than the Turbo. 

Rear-axle steering is standard on the S and optional on the Turbo. This cuts turning circles but also improves high-speed stability.

Performance Tech

It has three transmissions. The rear transmission is a two-speed, which helps both top speed and efficiency. A single-speed transmission is attached to the front motor. All EVs to this point do not have transmissions.

Adaptive air suspension. This lowers the ride height as speeds increase, can raise the car for steep driveways, and changes spring rates instantly for better handling.

Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control. This minimizes body roll with electrically operated sway bars. Lateral body movement is imperceptible so cornering is flat.

Coated brakes. The rotors are coated with tungsten-carbide which also reduces brake dust.

Larger brakes. If you’re wanting the largest brakes in your town, then the optional 16.5-inch carbon-ceramic brakes are for you.

Transmissions do the braking. Yes, 90% of braking is managed by the transmissions.

Battery Management

800-volt system. All systems currently on the market are 400-volt systems. Porsche says that the higher system charges much quicker and required them to beef up the motors and other electrical components to handle 800 volts. 

Left/right charging connectors. One on each side so you can charge from either side of the Porsche Taycan. The standard SAE J1772 connections are in both ports, but the passenger side also houses faster DC charging connectors for the 800-volt system.

Charging rate. With the 800-volt system and maximum charge rate of 270 kilowatts, the battery will go from a 5% to 80% charge in under 23 minutes.

Charging planner. The navigation system will plot the shortest, least congested routes as most any nav system does. But, if the nav system determines you will be below 13% charge before arriving at your destination it will route you to a charging center. Then, it displays when and where you’ll be stopping, and how long it will take to charge.

The motors for the pivoting door handles will continuously give more power until the handle pivots out in freezing conditions. This has been an ongoing problem with Tesla’s pop-out door handles. 

Additional Features

Foot garages. We didn’t name them, this is what Porsche calls the footwells for the rear seat passengers. Since the batteries run the length and width of the chassis they provided a gap between batteries for rear passenger occupants to place their feet as opposed to a reclining position. Engineers were concerned that because of the low profile passengers would have to recline instead of taking a more upright position.

Active Aerodynamics. There are shutters behind the grille that can close to reduce drag or open for better cooling of the batteries. The grille in a conventional car is a real aerodynamics killer as air entering hits the engine or firewall like a battering ram, so the ability to close off the grille aids aero.

Double bubble or sky view top. Taycans come with standard glass roof panels in the US for the initial cars produced. An aluminum double-bubble top is also available in the US at some point, while it’s standard for Euro-spec Taycans. 

Blue headlights. For an extra $580 you can order your Taycan with a blue tint for the headlights. We don’t know why you would want this, but be aware it is available.

Blue butt. The “Porsche” name in the taillight panel is done in blue letters. However, ‘ala BMW an option is available that lights up the lettering. At least in California, only Highway Patrol is allowed to have blue lighting to the back of the vehicle, so it will be interesting to see if this option comes to Cali. 

Porsche says that the Taycan now sets the performance standards for all EVs.