Test: Porsche Taycan Turbo (2021) // Augmented Reality
Whatever you choose, open that powerful, heavy, bulky door, honestly bend your back, and go deep behind the A-pillar. One of the best seats in the world of automobiles awaits you. Well, at least when it comes to the compromise on sportiness and comfort. And by Porsche standards, this is the best you can get. Adjustable in 18 directions.
If you like modern, simple lines, you've come to the right place. Here's a black and white world with a few shades of gray. Minimalistic, fully digitalized. Something like the current trends in electrification require.
And so that today's Porsche drivers feel in a familiar environment, the dashboard that the driver sees in front of it, digital simulation of classic Porsche sensors and curved screen... Thumbs up, Porsche! Another touchscreen is cleverly integrated into the upper part of the center console, and the third, which serves mainly to control the air conditioning, and also has a touch panel, is located at the junction of the center console with the protrusion between the front seats. Beautiful modern minimalism. Of course, with the obligatory Porsche clock / stopwatch fully housed in the dashboard.
The leather on the dashboard looks noble and I don't notice any edge, some kind of seam, which by standards is slightly different from Porsche. and brought it closer to the standards that Tesla introduced to electrified mobility. That happens …
In sports, you will be cramped, but at the same time you will have enough space in all directions, both in the front and in the back. Okay, five meters must be known somewhere. Also a 2,9 meter wheelbase. And two meters wide too. Until you get to know him better, you will take these steps, especially while driving, with the utmost respect.
It's great that the designers emphasized the shoulders above the front wheels to make it easier to spot where the Taycan ends with the bulge. But even if you already feel better after spending some time with him, you can never get through all those inches. Not in awe of the wheels. Did you look at them !? That's right, they are gold; it would be better if Taikan was black. They may not be the right choice either, but they are impressive. Both in design and in size.
And if I'm talking about numbers ... 265 is the width of the tires in the front, 305 (!) in the back. They are 30" in size and 21" in size! You don't need to know anymore. And we could appreciate almost all of this, even if we just looked at them. Especially in the width of the back. What you need to know is that extremely low hips and lack of side protection means that you will always avoid even the smallest potholes in the road and that you will be very careful when parking along curbs. Usually with excessive distance.
When you close the door after a fall, excuse me, entering the cockpit, the Taikan will start automatically. Run? Hmm ... Well yes, all systems are on and the engine is, sorry, ready to go. But somehow you don't hear anything. And don't let that fool you. In fact, you are better prepared for the new dimension of driving than you might think.
The aircraft shift lever switch is one of the most complex elements in this cockpit. There, behind the wheel on the dashboard, it is well hidden from view, but delving into it and moving it up or down is always a pleasure.
Jump off into D and the Taycan is already moving. Quiet, inaudible, but powerful. The steering gear is well weighted, but you'll start to appreciate it even more than driving slowly when you finally get through the corners. But not so fast ... You can easily press the accelerator pedal with surgical precision, and the Taycan's responsiveness always gives the impression that the car always predicts exactly what you want it to do.
It starts to accelerate decisively, then decisively, and only when you think about what someone is actually hiding inside does it literally fire. You already know that feeling of instant electrical performance, don't you? Well smoothness. And silence. Although everything can be different here ... One press of the digital switch - and the sound stage immediately becomes noticeable. Porsche calls it sports electronic sound, at least that's what it says on the menu for the infotainment system, which has been completely translated into Slovenian. Well, when you activate the sound, the acceleration and deceleration are accompanied by an artificially created mixture between thunder and howl. All we will be missing is that famous boxing six-cylinder sound.
In any case, the accelerations are great, but we're still getting there. Above all, you will be impressed by the comfort of the chassis, which with the air suspension PDCC Sport can also cope with bad Slovenian roads., so the Taycan is useful in our country every day. Both adjustable dampers and PASM flexible air suspension come standard. The chassis is bolstered a little when you choose a sports suspension or even a Sport Plus suspension, and within settings if you select one of the two sports driving modes using the rotary switch on the steering wheel. Then there is a lot more stiffness and immediately less comfort, which you will appreciate when driving very fast, especially on a race track.
As you mileage, your confidence and confidence in the car will also skyrocket, and with it your speed.... Kind of like starting a steep climb on the Porsche's virtual driving curve. And then it just goes up. Of course, great credit goes to the extraordinary balance and, as I always find when driving a Porsche, the Stuttgart product is the unit of measure for balance.
I drive faster and faster and appreciate the precision, responsiveness and good weight of the steering when cornering. Taikan goes exactly where I want. Also thanks to the steering of all four wheels with the Servotronic Plu system.With. If you overdo it, you will quickly find that the limits of anything that can become dangerous are too damn high. And if you are already going against them, remember what they teach in Porsche driving school - you have two steering wheels: the small one is controlled by the hands, and the large one (in a sense, one way or another) with the legs. These are the accelerator and brake pedals. Mmm, behind the wheel of a Porsche rides with all the limbs.
The Taycan, even when the speed for the situation is already obscenely high, still bites firmly and sovereignly into the ground and actually acts like real estate. Although the neighborhood is running unusually fast ... In turn, it goes where you want it. But when you go over the limit, then you know that you need to add all the ingredients, at least a few more. A little of one and a little of the other wheel. In a more native language, a little steering and a little gas. And the world suddenly became more beautiful. If you refuse, then Taycan in the manner of a four-wheel drive car will go straight. And you really don't want it.
Ooooooooooooo, the engine starts to roar and Taikan, along with the live content, is sent into a new dimension of driving.
Even on a winding mountain road, the Taycan is impressive, although it certainly cannot hide its size and weight. But there is a fact - although he cannot hide his bulky weight (2,3 tons), he respectfully copes with it.... Even with a sudden change of direction from turn to turn, he is always sovereign. Of course, the low center of gravity, which is even closer to the ground due to the large battery below, also makes a big difference.
However, I almost dare say that you will miss the gear levers on the steering wheel when driving is engaged, you will miss the feeling that you can help yourself to have even better control over what happens to the engine speed. And although here some of this control is trying to take over the recuperation when venting gas, it is far from the delicate precision offered by switching up or down. And, yes, braking is always impressive. Just look at these coils and jaws!
Though… Acceleration is what will make the Taycan grab you the most. You do not believe? Well, let's get started... Find a decent level, long enough and, above all, an empty stretch of road. After making sure that the surroundings are really safe and there is no one - except, perhaps, enthusiastic observers at a fairly safe distance - you can start. Place your left foot on the brake pedal and your right foot on the accelerator pedal.
The message on the right instrument panel is clear: Launch control is active. And then just release the brake pedal and never release the accelerator pedal.... And keep the steering wheel well. And indulge yourself in the hitherto unknown. Ooooooooooooo, the engine starts roaring and the Taycan, along with the live content, is sent into a new dimension of driving. These are those three magic seconds from the city to a hundred (and beyond). These are 680 "horses" in all its might. The pressure you feel in your chest and head is genuine. Everything else is not. At least it seems so.
It's like augmented reality where the Taycan is the hero of your favorite video game - I have to tell you something else since the Taycan's latest software update took two days (!?) and you're holding the control panel in your hands. It all seems so surreal.
The combination of virtual and augmented reality becomes most realistic when the battery needs to be recharged. This still applies to moderate driving, which luckily is never very slow, every 300-400 kilometers, but then even at the fastest charging station it takes at least an hour. and especially nowhere, except, perhaps, at home, where charging will take an indecently long time, it is not entirely cheap. But if you already give that much money for the Taycan, then at the price of a kilowatt-hour, you probably won't be commonplace ...
Someday (if) electric mobility is my team, the Taycan will be my team. So personal, only mine. Yes, it's that simple.
Porsche Taycan Turbo (2021)
Basic data
| Test model cost: | 202.082 € |
|---|---|
| Base model price with discounts: | 161.097 € |
| Test model price discount: | 202.082 € |
| Power: | 500kW (680 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 3,2 with |
| Maximum speed: | 260 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 28 kW / 100 km |
Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)
Technical information
| engine: | 2 x electric motors - maximum power 460 kW (625 hp) - "overboost" 500 kW (680 hp) - maximum torque 850 Nm. |
|---|---|
| Battery: | Lithium-ion-93,4 kWh. |
| Energy transfer: | the engines are driven by all four wheels - front single speed transmission / rear two speed transmission. |
| Capacity: | top speed 260 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 3,2 s - power consumption (WLTP) 28 kWh / 100 km - range (WLTP) 383-452 km - battery charging time: 9 hours (11 kW AC current); 93 min (DC from 50 kW to 80%); 22,5 min (DC 270 kW up to 80%) |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 2.305 kg - permissible gross weight 2.880 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.963 mm - width 1.966 mm - height 1.381 mm - wheelbase 2.900 mm |
| Box: | 366 + 81 l |
evaluation
For all the limitations of the charging infrastructure – since only the fastest charging stations are truly useful – the Taycan is the best and most desirable, but also the least achievable, manifestation of electric mobility.
We praise and reproach
driving experience, especially flexibility and launch control
balance of motion, chassis performance
appearance and well-being in the salon
large, heavy and bulky door
present deeply for column A
little space in chests
