2023 Porsche Taycan 4S Sport Turismo
Key Points: Performance Battery Plus, "75 Years" Package, BOSE Surround Sound System.
The Porsche Taycan is an electric saloon and shooting brake, originally unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show as a concept named the Porsche Mission E, with the production version being launched three years later. The name "Taycan" roughly translates from the Turkish ‘tay+can’ as "lively young horse", in reference to the steed on the Stuttgart coat of arms, which is found on the Porsche crest.
The Taycan's interior features Porsche's first fully digital instrumentation system, with up to four digital displays, including a curved, free-standing 16.8-inch configurable driver's display, a 10.9-inch infotainment centre, an optional passenger-side screen, and an 8.4-inch portrait-oriented, touchpad-controlled screen on the centre console, which shows the powertrain's status and efficiency data. In contrast with the all-digital layout, the dashboard top features the classic Porsche chronograph.
The exterior styling, by former Porsche Exterior Designer Mitja Borkert, is strongly influenced by the Mission E concept car. Design features of the Taycan include a retractable rear spoiler, retractable door handles, and an advanced regenerative braking system. Taking full advantage of its drivetrain layout, the Taycan combines the fundamental short-nosed front proportions of traditional Porsches with the stretched proportions of modern front-engine models towards the rear, providing clear design links to existing models.
The front features four-point LED daytime running headlamps, while the rear has a short notchback-style boot lid, housing a full-width light band serving as tail lights and indicators, and providing access to one of two luggage compartments. The other compartment is under the bonnet, with a claimed capacity of nearly 100 litres.
The Taycan uses a new battery-electric all-wheel-drive powertrain with a permanent-magnet synchronous motor on each axle. At the front, power is sent to the wheels through a single-speed gearbox, and at the rear, through a two-speed transmission and a limited slip differential. The gearbox has a short planetary first gear providing maximum acceleration, and a long-ratio second gear delivering top speed and efficiency. Power is stored via either a 79.12kWh or 93kWh lithium-ion battery pack that doubles as a structural chassis component, and keeps the centre of gravity low. To increase rear-seat legroom, recesses have been incorporated in the battery pack.
The Sport Turismo variant shares the estate/shooting brake profile with the Cross Turismo, but deletes the crossover-like styling elements. The luggage compartment holds up to 446 litres, compared to the 407-litre capacity of the saloon. With the rear seats folded, up to 1,212 litres of cargo space is available. The 4S Sport Turismo is fitted with the smaller 79.12kWh battery as standard, though the larger 93kWh battery is an option.
When specified with the 93kWh ‘Performance Battery Plus’, the car produces 483bhp, rising to 563bhp and 479 lb ft when using the ‘overboost’ function. As a result, it can sprint from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 155 mph, while the 93kWh battery provides a range of up to 304 miles.