Are you ready to drive the ‘FutureNow’?
FULLY ELECTRIC PORSCHE TAYCAN AND AUDI E-TRON LEAD THE COUNTRY’S CHARGE TOWARD ELECTROMOBILITY
As PGA Cars leads the Philippine automotive sector’s transition to premium electricpowered mobility through its “FutureNow” program, the company is showcasing its range of fully electric models in a series of weekend exhibitions that present green transport solutions to consumers who define sustainability as the new luxury.
Headlining the displays are the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron SUV and Audi e-tron GT, all zero-emissions, fully electric models which have significantly more advanced features than the stop-gap technologies found in hybrid vehicles. With these models, PGA Cars — the partner of Porsche and Audi (along with Lamborghini and Bentley) in the Philippines — declares premium electromobility is not a concept for the future. Rather, it is a reality that is happening now.
SOUL, ELECTRIFIED: PORSCHE TAYCAN
The latest Taycan pays homage to the Porsche 911’s classic rear-engine/rear-drive layout by having its Permanent magnet Synchronous Motor (PSM) on the rear axle. The PSM is coupled to a twospeed transmission and Porsche’s Performance Battery. Combined, the system produces up to 408 PS, allowing the car to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, and to reach a top speed of 230 km/h.
Some of the features of the latest Porsche Taycan are 20-inch Taycan Turbo Aero wheels; black front apron, side sills and rear diffuser; LED headlights with PDLS; a 4+1 seating layout; a central 10.9inch infotainment display; an 8.4-inch center console touchscreen; and another display for the front passenger — an optional equipment which Porsche Philippines specified for new Taycan models. Also integrated into the car is the Porsche 4D Chassis Control that analyzes and synchronizes all chassis systems in real time. The latest model is equipped with adaptive air suspension with three-chamber technology, and the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic damper control system.
CHARGING INTO THE FUTURE, NOW: AUDI E-TRON SUV, E-TRON GT
The Audi e-tron SUV turns electric mobility into a premium experience with its spacious, airy interior that emphasizes advanced in-car digitization. It has two MMI touch response displays to replace nearly every conventional switch and control, and the standard Audi virtual cockpit presents information in high-resolution graphics. Paired with these are high-quality materials boasting of fine workmanship.
Powering the Audi e-tron SUV are two electric motors outputting 408 hp and 664 Nm, letting the vehicle sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, and to a top speed of 200 km/h. A new generation electric quattro all-wheel drive provides superlative traction and handling on any terrain and condition.
The Audi drive select can vary the characteristics of the Audi e-tron SUV depending on the driving situation, road condition or personal preference. The system also controls the air suspension with adaptive dampers, which can also alter the vehicle’s ride height by as much as 76 millimeters.
The Audi e-tron SUV boasts of a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Euro NCAP, and is also named a Top Safety Pick+ by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Demonstrating how exciting electric mobility can be is Audi e-tron GT four-door coupe. Connected extensively, its displays and controls are operated via the digital Audi virtual cockpit plus, which in turn is controlled through the multifunction steering wheel and the central MMI touch display, as well as by natural language recognition.
The Audi e-tron GT provides ample power and performance. Its two electric motors combined output 530 hp and 630 Nm, allowing the car to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in only 4.1 seconds. Paired to the electric motors is the electric quattro all-wheel drive system, which ensures maximum dynamism, stability and traction in any condition, thanks to its ability to constantly vary power distribution between the axles.
DRIVING ELECTROMOBILITY
As part of the FutureNow program, PGA Cars is collaborating with stakeholders in establishing charging facilities in strategic destinations to complement the residential charging solutions already provided by Porsche and Audi.
Both the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron range come with portable charging systems that can be plugged into either a household or a three-phase industrial outlet. The models also have available alternating current (AC) charging units that can be installed at homes — which are as convenient to use as chargers for mobile phones. Setting up a home charging system is no more complicated than installing an air-conditioning unit.
Other innovative charging solutions for Porsche and Audi is a high-powered direct current (DC) charger — the first of such type in the country — located at PGA Cars showrooms on EDSA Greenhills. With both DC and AC options available, owners are guaranteed access to charging solutions at home and on the road.
Besides heavily pouring investments in dedicated electric vehicle facilities, personnel training and expertise, and residential and destination charging solutions, PGA Cars further commits to sustainable mobility by adopting carbon-neutral processes for its operations. Among the efforts is the creation of a micro carbon sink — basically defined as a natural or manmade reservoir that can accumulate carbon emissions from the atmosphere — that can help the company absorb an amount of carbon dioxide nearly equal to that emitted during its operations.
The first phase in PGA Cars’ carbon sink program involves transplanting fullgrown trees in the vicinity of its main showrooms and service facilities on EDSA, Greenhills. The move seeks to help in curbing pollution, as well as to significantly improve aesthetics, in the area.
The FutureNow exhibition takes place on May 27-29, and on June 3-5, at the North Court of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati City.