Porsche’s electric vehicle department is on a roll. After announcing the new Porsche Macan as an EV-only model for Australia, it’s now time to look at the new Porsche Taycan model before it arrives in showrooms in mid-2024. The new vehicle will offer more power and faster acceleration courtesy of a push-to-pass function, increased comfort for daily driving by way of the new Porsche Active Ride suspension, and the longest range of any EV on sale in Australia (678km WLTP).
Pricing for the new model line-up starts at AUD$175,100 plus on-road costs for the base Taycan and reaches an eye-watering AUD$374,200 before on-roads for the range-topping Taycan Turbo S.
RELATED: Porsche Taycan Destroys Tesla’s Nürburgring EV Record.
There’s More Power, Faster Acceleration
Porsche has introduced a push-to-pass function in the new Taycan. It’s available with the Sports Chrono package and increases the system output of the base Taycan by 60kW. Power in the flagship Turbo S increases by 140kW using launch control for a total system power output of 700 kW (952 PS).
Acceleration times have been improved with the base Porsche Taycan completing the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds (0.6 second improvement) while the flagship Porsche Taycan Turbo S edges ever closer to the sickening Tesla Model S Plaid with a 0-100km/h time of 2.4 seconds (0.4 second improvement).
The Interior is Refined, More Standard Features
Visually, the changes on the inside are minimal with the drive mode selector on the steering wheel now standard and the push-to-pass button now present on models with the Sports Chrono and Performance Battery Plus options. You’ll also note the new lever behind the steering wheel on the left side that allows more intuitive access to driver assistance features.
In terms of technology, there are no changes to the size of the screens or the number of screens (3). Apple CarPlay has now been more deeply integrated into the functionality of the vehicle with many of the car’s functions like climate control available through the software. Finally, you can now watch videos on the centre and passenger screen while the car is stationary e.g. while you’re charging.
Charging is Faster, Increased Range
The new Porsche Taycan can charge faster than its predecessor with a maximum DC charge rate of 320kW (+50kW) at compatible 800-volt charging stations. The brand claims the vehicle can sustain above 300kW speeds for more than five minutes meaning the charging times have been cut in half.
Previously, it would take you 37 minutes to charge the first-generation Porsche Taycan from 10-80 per cent at 15 degrees Celsius with maximum DC charging power. Now, under the same conditions, the updated Taycan takes just 18 minutes despite its larger battery capacity of 105 kWh (up from 93 kWh) for more range.
The brand says the base Taycan offers 678km WLTP of driving range (+175km) while the range-topping Taycan Turbo S has a WLTP driving range of 630km. More impressively, the base model Taycan has a quoted 821km driving range on the city cycle. How does that stack up in the real world? Tests at a Porsche test and learn day in Los Angeles returned figures around 345 miles (555km) with large 21-inch wheels, according to Motor Trend.
This is all thanks to an advanced powertrain with a new rear-axle motor with up to 80 kW more power than its predecessor on all models, a modified pulse inverter with optimised software, more powerful batteries, revised thermal management, a next-generation heat pump and a modified recuperation and all-wheel-drive strategy.
Pricing is Up, Still the Best EV Money Can Buy
Pricing for the new Porsche Taycan is up across the board, here’s the complete list:
- Taycan: AUD$175,100* (+AUD$10,800)
- Taycan 4S: AUD$216,300* (+AUD$11,000)
- Taycan Turbo: AUD$307,500* (+AUD$14,900)
- Taycan Turbo S: AUD$374,200* (+AUD$10,400)
- Taycan 4 Cross Turismo: AUD$198,000* (+AUD$12,800)
- Taycan 4S Cross Turismo: AUD$224,000* (+AUD$7,800)
- Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo: AUD$310,400* (+AUD$15,100)
*Price is the recommended retail price before statutory on-road and dealer delivery charges, which vary from State to State and between dealers. Driveaway pricing is available via the Porsche Car Configurator at Porsche.com.au linked below.
The king of electric vehicles has improved significantly, so we can’t be too harsh on the large price increases across the new Porsche Taycan line-up. Watching the price of the once relatively affordable base model Taycan RWD increase by more than AUD$10,000 is a bit of a tough pill to swallow, but the previously optional adaptive air suspension now comes standard and you were going to tick that box anyway.
Still, it’s the best EV money can buy and we look forward to putting it through its paces once again when the new models arrive in Australian showrooms from mid-2024.
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