Porsche Taycan: Mighty Electric Wonder

It was just over a year after attending its unveiling in Niagara Falls that I had the chance to test-drive the Porsche Taycan in the streets of Montreal. This supercar represents, in my eyes, the pinnacle of what can be done in terms of electric models, and I invite you to read this article to understand why.

The Porsche Taycan models

The Taycan model I was able to drive, the Turbo version, retails for close to $175,000, and there is also a higher version, the Turbo S, starting at $220,000. The first thing you notice is his style. Obviously, this is a Porsche, hard to say otherwise, a Porsche of the future certainly. The “Air Curtains,” the name Porsche gives to these side air intakes, provide an incredible appearance and practicality to improve the aerodynamics of the car by guiding the air over the wheels to minimize turbulence. . Directly above these are the stunning LED headlights which, while different from other models, give that Porsche’s flair. This is probably due to its bulging body above the wheels, similar to the historic German brand’s vehicles.

The interior

When you step into it, you must, of course, use its retractable door handles being beautifully integrated into the design. While in the driver’s seat, you notice the impeccable ergonomics of the cabin. Extremely comfortable seats, which offer up to 18 positions depending on the model, will give you a driving comfort worthy of a freshly paved road. I am happy to report that rear passengers have not been forgotten when it comes to comfort. The manufacturer has made sure to have a quality similar to the benches found in the Panamera for all users. For storage, two options are available to you, the rear trunk and the front trunk. These give you a combined space of over 440 litres and even more if you fold down the rear seats.

Behind the wheel of the Porsche Taycan

While you are behind the wheel, the latter’s handling is enjoyable and much less complex than other Porsche models, in my opinion. You can really focus on driving without looking for multiple functions since they are all within easy reach. If I compared to the competition, which has rather minimalist and rather poorly integrated interiors, the Porsche Advanced Cockpit of the Taycan has forward-looking technologies and offers up to four screens that complement each other superbly. The central one, curved and entirely digital, is oriented towards you. The easily recognizable gear needle often rises (too) quickly, not to mention the native Apple Music app, adding the perfect musical ambiance to your journeys. The 8.4-inch center console gives you access to navigation, media, phone, settings and Apple CarPlay. You can also check the opening of the trunk, the charging hatches, and the state of charge of the battery.

The Engine

A permanent magnet synchronous motor is installed in two locations on the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S. One on each axle, and the performance battery is integrated into the underbody. This ensures that dynamic driving dynamics are enhanced and supported by an all-wheel drive that can be optimally tuned in the different driving modes, depending on the distribution between efficiency and dynamism.

When driving, you really feel the power of the engine and the acceleration can come quickly. Obviously, following the rules, I pushed the car a bit to find out what it could give. As soon as your foot touches the accelerator, the speed automatically increases, and you have to be careful because it is made for performance, and you won’t be disappointed.

The Battery

The big question… The Taycan demonstrates what a real Porsche is when it comes to charging time and range. At the German automaker, team members believe a sports car should be ready to go at all times. Indeed, they do everything they can to guarantee simply charging that is integrated into everyday life. The only thing you need to think about is the next destination.

Speaking of the range, you can count around 200 km of distance with a 30-minute charge at a fast terminal. These are still rare in Montreal, but the price for recharging is really affordable, just over $10 an hour, for a nearly full charge. So I cannot tell you if the load decreases faster when temperatures are below freezing.

Besides, I learned that the Porsche Recuperation Management (PRM) has an innovative operation allowing regenerating up to 90% of the braking energy with a very high recovery power of up to 265 kW on the Taycan. So, during active braking, regeneration is activated first, then mechanical brake kicks in only when more braking power is needed—it is intelligently controlled by the braking system capable of handling the interaction. In short, you will get up to a third of your range daily just by reusing the energy released in a sporty driving mode.

The Porsche Taycan Brakes

When you have such a powerful car, it must be just as important when you need to stop. The Taycan decelerates thanks to the Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) with optimized responsiveness. You also can choose the extremely light Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), which is standard on the Turbo S model. These have their origins in motorsport and ensure a short stopping distance under heavy loads.

The Noise

In terms of noise, the vehicle offers a completely new experience, as it moves almost silently. The only external sound that meets legal requirements is audible. The Porsche Electric Sport Sound option is also available for a unique acoustic ambience during dynamic driving. Indeed, this innovative system makes it possible to hear the engine’s own sound both outside and inside the vehicle.

In conclusion, what really sets the Taycan apart from the competition is how it feels behind the wheel: a true electric sports car. In short, it is quite simply an extraordinary vehicle that is sure to turn heads. Porsche’s future, and the electric car, is already on the road.

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