Porsche can compete in a lower price range with the rear-wheel-drive EV.
The Taycan4S was the most affordable way to get into an American-market Porsche electric vehicle. It cost $103,800, had all-wheel drive, 522 horsepower (330 kilowatts), and came in at $103,800. We discovered that the Chinese would be able to access a cheaper rear-drive variantof the German EV. This made us believe that we would one day get our hands on it. It’s now: The base model 2021 Porsche Taycan is available for $79,900.
The “4S” badge was removed and the cost of $24,900 saved. Entry Taycan The model is exclusively rear-wheel-drive. This is due to the single, aft mounted electric motor that produces 402 horsepower (300 kW) as well as 254 pound-feet (344 Newton-meters). Porsche will offer the Performance Battery Plus option, which increases power to 469 HP and 263 Lb-ft (357 kW and 357 Nm), by replacing a 79.2-kilowatt hour lithium-ion unit with one that holds 93.4kWh.
You can charge it!
The base Porsche Taycan can sprint at 60 miles an hour (96 km per hour) in 5.1 seconds. Although the heavier, larger battery may slow down off-the-line response time, it is able to make a significant difference on the quarter-mile, where it takes 0.2 seconds longer than the base setup’s 13.7 seconds. Performance Battery Plus can charge at 270 kW, while the base pack is only able to charge at 225 kW. Both batteries can charge from 5 percent to 80% in just 22.5 minutes. However, the larger battery will offer more range.
Porsche did not release EPA ratings for the Taycan. However, according to the NEDC standard the Chinese-market Taycan is capable of traveling 256 miles (412 km) with the base battery and 303 miles (489 km) with Performance Battery Plus. We based some rough math from the InsideEVs experts and concluded that the base Taycan would be EPA-rated at 200 miles. The higher-capacity battery, which will last for 230 miles, will match the range of the dual-motor 4S. It is also worth noting that insideEVs freeway-tested a Porsche Taycan 4S. The car was able to travel nearly 280 miles with a single charge, surpassing Porsche’s EPA rating by 50 miles.
Up To Snuff
In a world where the Tesla Model S costs $69,420 and travels more than 400 miles per charge, 80 grand is not a lot of money. The base Taycan, like other Porsches offers more to its owners than the spec chart would indicate. It will have a very nice interior, with Porsche-signature fit-and-finish, and a low, slinky shape that cheats wind, with a drag coefficient 0.24 (matching Model S). The Porsche is a better choice than the Tesla in terms of cabin materials.
Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard. However, an optional air suspension increases aerodynamics (with Cd of 0.22 and more adaptability). The rear-drive Taycan weighs 200 more than the equivalent 4S to compensate for its lower power output. Although the Taycan will have Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes and Porsche Surface-Coated Brakes, we believe that the base brakes will be sufficient (especially since they offer a class-leading recovery rate of 265kW). This brake regen saves a lot of heat cycling and wear on conventional friction brakes.
Day to Day
The base Taycan, like all the Porsche EVs, will include three years free Electrify America charge. The Taycan will have a 19.2-kW built-in charger, which allows owners to charge their devices while away from home. The standard features include embedded Apple Music, wireless Apple CarPlay and over-the air updates for Porsche Connect.
New Taycan owners will be able to track their order’s progress – from build to delivery – just like the Porsche 911. According to the automaker, the 2021 Porsche Taycan rear-drive will be available by spring.