Taycan is Porsche’s first all-electric car
By 2022, manufacturer will have invested more than six billion euros in electro-mobility
NIAGARA FALLS, ONT.— Porsche introduced its first all-electric sports car to the world this week — really, Porsche — and it was symbolic that the North American premiere was held in the city where public hydroelectric power was introduced to Canada — Niagara Falls.
Simultaneous unveilings of the revolutionary Taycan were held on a solar farm in Neuhardenberg near Berlin, Germany, and a wind farm on Pingtan Island, about 150 kilometres from the Chinese city of Fuzhou in the province of Fujian. Canada’s hydroelectricity and the wind and solar power of the other locations are symbolic of the company’s commitment to sustainability and the environment.
But Porsche is also in the business of selling cars, and the three most important sales markets are in North America, Europe and Asia, hence the co-ordinated unveilings that were broadcast around the world on newstv.porsche.com.
The first models, both fourdoor sedans, are the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo. They are among the most powerful production models the sports-car manufacturer has in its product range currently. Less powerful variants of these all-wheel-drive vehicles will follow this year, with more to come. By 2022, Porsche will have invested more than six billion euros in electro mobility.
“The Taycan links our heritage to the future,” said Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG, who opened the world premiere in Berlin. “It carries forward the success story of our brand — a brand that has fascinated and thrilled people the world over for more than 70 years. This day marks the start of a new era.”
Performance meets efficiency in this car. The flagship Turbo S version of the Taycan can generate up to 560 kW (750 hp) overboost power in combination with Launch Control, and the Taycan Turbo up to 500 kW (670 hp). The Taycan Turbo S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds while the Taycan Turbo completes this sprint in 3.2 seconds. The top speed of both is 260 km/h.
The Porsche Taycan Turbo S and Porsche Taycan Turbo are now available to order with pricing starting at $213,900 and $173,900, respectively.
The global press test drive will be held in Norway and Germany in two weeks.
I’ll report back after that about how it handles on the highway.
Norris McDonald is a former Star editor who is a current freelance columnist. Follow him on Twitter: @NorrisMcDonald2