As the first mass-produced electric car with 800-volt charging, the 2020 Porsche Taycan is anything but business as usual.
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On Wednesday, Porsche unveiled its first electric car, the 2020 Taycan, with simultaneous events in Niagara Falls, Canada; Berlin, Germany; and Pingtan Island, China. The car is a revelation, with up to 750 horsepower, a starting price of $152,250, and the ability to fast-charge using an 800-volt electrical system, a first in a production electric car.
The German automaker previewed the Taycan four years ago with the Mission E concept at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show. The concept’s exterior transferred to the production car, from the front bumper intakes that direct air into the front wheel wells, to its white and black wheels, to its quad LED daytime running lights, and to its LED light bar running the full width of the rear end.
Taycans ride on Porsche’s new J1-platform that will be shared with the upcoming Audi E-tron GT. Power is derived from a 1,389-pound 93.4-kwh battery pack that’s mounted in the floor of the passenger compartment. Electric motors on the front and rear axles give the electric Porsche all-wheel drive. The rear axle gets a two-speed transmission with first gear prioritizing acceleration from a standing start while the second, taller, gear is onboard for efficiency and power at high speeds.
The 2020 Taycan has the world’s first production 800-volt electrical system, which under ideal conditions can take the battery pack from 5 to 80 percent state of charge in 22.5 minutes with a maximum charge rate of up to 270 kw. Porsche is installing 800-volt fast chargers at its dealerships across the nation and calls some of them Turbo Chargers. Taycan buyers will also get free fast-charging on Electrify America’s charging network for the first three years of ownership.
Porsche hasn’t released how far the Taycan will go on a charge in the U.S. and doesn’t have EPA ratings, yet. The German automaker said the Taycan has a range of of 381 to 450 km (236 to 279 miles) in Turbo form and 388 to 412 km (241 to 256 miles) in Turbo S form on Europe’s WLTP cycle. The WLTP cycle is measured differently and doesn’t typically translate to the same range ratings in the U.S.—though for now, 240 miles of range is a fair estimate.
Turbo models have 616 horsepower, which increases to 670 hp with Launch Control, and 626 pound-feet of torque. Turbo S models crank things up with 616 horsepower, which increases to 750 hp with Launch Control, and 774 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight is 5,121 pounds in Turbo form and 5,132 pounds in Turbo S form.
Acceleration is exceptional. Using launch control, Porsche said Turbo models sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds while Turbo S models drop that time to 2.6 seconds. Top speed for both models is 161 mph.
An optional adaptive air suspension and electronic dampers work with electronic roll bars to control the Taycan’s 5,132 pounds of mass. The Taycan’s brake setup, which features steel rotors with white calipers on the Turbo models and carbon ceramic rotors with yellow calipers on the Turbo S, has been tuned to maximize power regeneration. Porsche said up to 90 percent of everyday braking can be performed without engaging the mechanical braking system.
Turbo models feature a staggered 20-inch wheel setup with Turbo Aero Wheels wrapped in 245/45s up front and 285/40s in the rear. There’s more rubber to grip the road on Turbo S models with 21-inch Mission-E Design Wheels wrapped in 265/35 tires up front and 305/30 tires in the rear. Regardless of model, Porsche fits all-season tires, though the company has not confirmed which tires or whether stickier summer tires will be a factory option.
Like gas-powered Porsches, the 2020 Taycan will feature five driving modes: Normal, Sport, Sport+, Individual, and one specifically made for an electric car, Range.
Inside, the Taycan features up to five screens including a fully digital floating gauge cluster.
