Porsche Drops Technical Specs for Electric Taycan

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Electric cars are a polarizing matter among automotive enthusiasts. While a small group of ardent EV loyalists exist, a large portion of car people look at them with varying levels of contempt. However, let’s not kid ourselves, electrification is an inevitability. Even if EVs don’t proliferate like rabbits in springtime, standard powertrains will continue to evolve and electric automobiles will account for some of the most extreme performance models on the road.

We’ve already seen what Tesla can do if given enough money. The Model S P100D can already hit 60 mph in just over 2 seconds — putting extravagantly priced, flamboyant supercars to shame.

More vehicles are coming to fit this mold. Porsche has been working on a rival for Tesla’s sedan for a while now, and recently released the specs. While the Germans seem to have developed a strong performer, ready to feed plenty of internal combustion vehicles a crow supper, it doesn’t appear to be quite as fast as Tesla’s best. Either that, or Porsche is downplaying the Taycan’s (formerly the Mission E) technical specifications.

The Taycan will use a pair of permanently synchronous motors, similar to the 919 Hybrid, with one driving each axle. Combined, the system should produce nearly 600 horsepower (440 kW).

“We opted for a permanently excited synchronous motor in the Taycan,” said Heiko Mayer, Porsche’s drive unit project leader. “They combine a high energy density with strong sustained performance and maximum efficiency.”

That places is right next to the Model S in terms of power, though the figures Porsche gave for acceleration fell short by a second or so. According to the manufacturer, the Taycan should launch from a standstill to 62 mph in “well under 3.5 seconds.” Meanwhile, 124 mph (or 200 kph) should take less than 12 seconds.

Since the numbers Porsche provided are benchmarks for the worst-case scenario, we can assume they’ll come down slightly. However, the most expensive Model S still trumps these figures. Its acceleration in Ludicrous Mode is blistering and can comfortably sweep past 124 mph in about 11 seconds. But that doesn’t mean Porsche failed.

Most likely, the German manufacturer will unveil a high-performance model later in the Taycan’s life. While the automaker has confirmed no such vehicle, having a tamer, more cost-effective model makes sense. Believe it or not, Porsche cares about volume.

The Taycan’s battery pack should be good for a range of 310 miles, but it’s the charging system that has us the most impressed. By taking advantage of the vehicle’s 800-volt system, the vehicle is capable of charging stupidly fast. According to the manufacturer, a depleted pack can take on enough energy to cover 248 miles in only 15 minutes. That’s exceptional, assuming you can find an outlet able to handle that kind of current.

Porsche also claims it’s testing the crap out of these vehicles, saying that it has already produced “three figures” worth of prototypes overseen by 40 specialists. The company is shipping them all over the globe to abuse them and ensure an unparalleled level of reliability — which will be further helped by a $7 billion investment into “electromobility” through 2022.

[Images: Porsche]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Mcs Mcs on Jul 30, 2018

    Porsche recently bought 10% of Rimac. Rimac is the maker of the Concept 2 that has two speeds and four motors and some amazing torque vectoring capabilities. I'm sure a 4 motor two-speed version of the Taycan will eventually appear. I want to get a Taycan, but suspect it may be 2 years before I'll see it. My Leaf's battery is great right now, but I don't think it will be 100% this winter. Although, it really surprises me how little it has degraded so far. I just don't see it making it another two years with the range I have now. Besides, Uber Bolts are starting to infest the quick chargers, so I really want enough range to avoid public charging. I'm actually thinking about a TM3 Performance while I'm waiting. Tuners like Mountain Pass are working their magic on the RWD TM3, so I'm wondering what they can do with the performance model. There is the iPace, but the tuned TM3's seem to be a lot more interesting. I was really impressed by the one that took the Boxster in Time Attack.

  • Ernest Ernest on Jul 30, 2018

    I'm sure someone, somewhere, actually cares about this.

  • Kwik_Shift Hyunkia'sis doing what they do best...subverting expectations of quality.
  • MaintenanceCosts People who don't use the parking brake when they walk away from the car deserve to have the car roll into a river.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I’m sure they are good vehicles but you can’t base that on who is buying them. Land Rovers, Bentley’ are bought by Robin Leaches’s “The Rich and Famous” but they have terrible reliability.
  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
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