Porsche unveils ballistic Taycan BEV

PORSCHE has finally ripped the overs off its long-awaited Taycan all-electric performance sedan, revealing staggering performance for the German brand’s first zero-emissions production model.

Revealed overnight, the Taycan will be launched with two high-powered variants, the oddly named Turbo and Turbo S, the latter of which is the most powerful offering in the car-maker’s line-up.

Using a 93.4kWh battery and two permanently excited synchronous motors on the front and rear axles for all-wheel drive, the Turbo S produces a huge 460kW, up to 560kW on overboost when using launch control, and 1050Nm.

The Turbo’s maximum power on overboost is limited to 500kW, while peak torque is pegged at 850Nm.

A 560kW power output trumps the likes of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s 500kW, and even outstrips the 515kW produced by the fire-breathing 911 GT2 RS.

Despite a kerb weight of 2.3 tonnes, the Turbo S is able to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 2.8 seconds while on the way to a top speed of 260km/h. The Turbo is 0.4s slower to triple digits.

Driving range is pegged at 412km for the Turbo S, up to 450km in the Turbo, while system voltage for the electric drivetrain stands at 800V, up from the typical 400V set-up for EVs.

This means that when using a 270kW fast-charging station, the battery can charge up to 100km of range in five minutes, while charging from five to 80 per cent can be done in 22.5 minutes under ideal conditions.

A full charge using an 11kW AC household charging point takes nine hours.

According to Porsche, the Taycan’s drive system has the highest power density of any electric powertrain on sale today, thanks in part to the hairpin winding of the stator coils in the electric motors, which allows for more copper to be integrated which then increases power and torque outputs.

While the front-axle motor features a single-speed transmission, the rear axle gains a Porsche-developed two-speed transmission which improves standing-start acceleration and high-speed efficiency and power reserve.

A unique brake regeneration system is employed, which Porsche says provides “significantly higher” power recuperation than its competitors, with approximately 90 per cent of braking in everyday situations performed by the electric motors, without the assistance of traditional wheel brakes.

For when hard braking is required, the Taycan Turbo sports 10-piston aluminium callipers with 415mm discs at the front, and four-pot grabbers with 365mm rotors at the rear. The Turbo S increases disc size to 420mm 410mm at the front and rear respectively.

Four distinct drive modes are available, consisting of Range, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus, while the Individual setting can let owners independently configure each setting.

Using aluminium double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, the Taycan features three-mode adaptive air suspension for a sporty or comfortable ride.

A number of drive systems enhance the handling and sportiness of the Taycan, including Porsche 4D Chassis Control, Porsche Active Suspension Management, electronic damper control, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport with electromechanical roll stabilisation, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus.

Measuring 4963mm long, 1966mm wide and 1381mm high with a 2900mm wheelbase, the Taycan features two storage compartments at the front and rear, offering 81 litres of space in the front and 366L at the rear.

Porsche has designed the Taycan interior with aerodynamics in mind, with a drag coefficient of 0.22Cd in the Turbo and 0.25Cd for the Turbo S.

From the front, the Taycan closely resembles the Mission E concept predecessor revealed all the way back in 2015, with the four-part, apostrophe-shaped headlights and simple front splitter carrying over almost unchanged.

Bi-colour wheels measuring either 20 or 21 inches are fitted, while the rear of the Taycan closely resembles its Panamera internal-combustion counterpart, with a sloping roofline, thin, horizontal tail-lights; and a minimalist rear bumper.

Inside, the Taycan features a 10.9-inch infotainment display and a free-standing, curved 16.8-inch digital instrument cluster. A second display on the passenger side of the dashboard can be optioned, as well.

The interior of the Taycan is completely free of leather, with recycled material used throughout.

Porsche has said less powerful versions of the AWD Taycan will arrive later this year, while the Taycan Cross Turismo will arrive at the end of 2020.

Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed that local pricing for the Taycan will be released early next year, at which point order books will open ahead of deliveries starting in the fourth quarter.