Taycan

Make
Porsche
Segment
Sedan

"This day marks the start of a new era," proclaimed Porsche CEO Oliver Blume. He couldn't be more precise. Introducing the all-new 2020 Porsche Taycan, the iconic German automaker's first-ever all-electric vehicle. Labeled as a four-door sports sedan, the Taycan bears a very strong resemblance to 2015's Mission-E concept and offers many new technologies aside from its electric drivetrain. Let's dig in.

The first Taycan models revealed here are the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo, though less powerful variants will debut later this year. Porsche also specifically mentions the first body style derivative, the Taycan Cross Turismo, will arrive by the end of next year.

Regarding output, the Taycan Turbo S generates up to 750 horsepower in combination with launch control and overboost. The Turbo, meanwhile, is certainly no slouch with up to 670 hp on tap. The Turbo S has clocked 0-60 mph in a mere 2.6 seconds while the Turbo does the deed in 3 seconds flat. Top speed for both is electronically limited to 161 mph.

Total curb weight comes to 5,132 pounds and 5,121 pounds for the Turbo and Turbo S, respectively. Official EPA range estimates have not yet arrived.

Porsche points out the Taycan is the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts. Typically, EVs use no more than 400 volts. That large amount of juice allows for fast charging. In ideal conditions, the Taycan to charge up to 80 percent in only 22.5 minutes with a maximum peak output of 270 kW. The 800V battery has an overall capacity of 93.4 kWh, which is about the same as the Tesla Model S. If they so choose, Taycan owners can also charge their cars at home with up to 9.6 kW of alternating current using a standard connector. All Taycan trims have two electric motors, one at each axle, which results in standard all-wheel drive. The two-speed transmission is located at the rear axle and is packaged together with the inverter in a single drive module.

The chassis system is, of course, complex, as it features an adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management, electronic damper control, and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport stabilization system. There's also a power recuperation system. Drivers can select from "Normal," "Sport," "Sport Plus," and "Range" driving modes. A customizable "Individual" mode can also be chosen.

Design-wise, the Taycan is 100 percent Porsche inside and out. Despite all of its advanced technologies, the Taycan's design DNA reveals some familiar and welcomed styling traits such as its wide and flat stance and a silhouette bearing the sloping roofline made famous by the one and only 911. The sculpted side sections are also trademark Porsche. Also noteworthy is the glass-look Porsche logo that has been integrated into the rear light bar.

In general, it's a sleek and aerodynamic design with a drag value as low as 0.22. But perhaps it's the interior where Porsche pushed the most design boundaries.

There's a driver-focused, free-standing, curved instrument cluster, and a 10.9-inch infotainment display. The passenger display screen is optional, though both screens were designed from scratch specifically for the Taycan. What about typical analog buttons? Those have been kept to a minimum in favor of touchscreens. Welcome to the future today. Drivers and passengers can also make use of voice control functions which respond simply to "Hey Porsche."

Another first is an entirely leather-free interior option, as most materials are already made from recycled elements for sustainability's sake. Because it's an EV, there are two luggage compartments: a frunk and a rear trunk with 2.8 cubic feet and 12.9 cubic feet of space, respectively.

Pricing begins at $153,310 for the Taycan Turbo and $187,610 for the Turbo S, not including a $1,350 destination and handling fee. Welcome to the future of Porsche, everyone.