A superb mix of performance, luxury
All electric 2020 Taycan Turbo S makes good use of two motors, can hit 100km/h in 2.8 seconds
Is it possible for a heavy, luxurious, all-electric sedan to attain the levels of performance and handling demanded of a true Porsche? Time behind the wheel of the 2020 Taycan Turbo S will answer that question.
The key to the Taycan is its electrifying personality. In the case of the Turbo S, the front electric motor with a single-speed transmission fires 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque through
P265/35ZR21 tires. The more substantial rear motor, which uses a two-speed transmission, pushes 449 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque through P305/30ZR21 tires. The upshot is the electric motors combine to give the Taycan all-wheel drive, and the driver access to 616 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque.
When Launch Control is activated, the Turbo S goes into an overboost mode and the rear motor downshifts into first gear; this pushes the output to 750 hp and 774 lb-ft of torque, and it does so instantly. The Taycan Turbo S accelerates from rest to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, and does the 80-120 km/h passing move in 1.7 seconds. Keep the hammer buried, and the Taycan Turbo S hits 200 km/h in 9.8 seconds. Stunning.
The juice the electric motor needs comes from a 93.4 kWh battery. Thanks to its unique 800-volt architecture, a nearly depleted battery accepts an 80 per cent charge in an hour and a half using a DC fast charger. But Porsche doesn’t recommend using a 110-volt outlet, preventing an overnight trickle-charge when not on the road.
As for range, Porsche has it officially pegged at 307 km. That’s a conservative number — when we pumped an 80 per cent charge into the battery, the range meter showed 327 km. As such, the realworld range ought to be closer to 400 km with a full charge.
To keep things flat and unflustered, the Taycan Turbo S gets all the needed gear. It starts with adaptive dampers and three-chamber air springs; depending on the drive mode selected, the damping and ride height change.
Next up is the four-wheelsteering; at speed, the response is millimetre-precise without feeling darty. At slow speeds, the rear wheels cut the turning circle, making it easier to manoeuvre in a cramped parking lot.