The arrival of the Porsche Taycan in Australia will draw
the inevitable comparison with the Tesla Model S,
but maybe Porsche has something more up its sleeve in the way of the Taycan than just another
performance prestige electric sedan. We're here in Torquay on Victoria's Surf Coast to find out.
Porsche's first electric vehicle is available to order and deliveries have
commenced. Price starts from $190,400 for the entry-level Taycan 4S and rises to a staggering
$338,500 for the flagship Taycan Turbo S. Don't be misled by the Turbo and Turbo S labels, however,
these are all variants of an electric vehicle. Porsche designers have gone for a sort of
retro-look inside with the instrument binnacle capturing the flavour of the Porsche sports cars
from the past, but without the ergonomic shortcomings.
The Taycan is pretty easy to drive, even this unusual drive mode selector is simple to use.
It's merely a case of: Up for reverse, down for drive,
somewhere in between for neutral, and push this button for park.
Not only is the Taycan easy to drive, it's impressively comfortable too
with seats that feel firm initially actually providing strong support over
the course of longer drives, and there's also an eco-friendly non-leather upholstery option.
Like its rival from Tesla, the Taycan uses touch-activated screens for the infotainment
systems and the climate control, and it does take a little time to become familiar with all the
functionality, but there are also switches on the multi-function steering wheel for voice commands,
audio control and operating the phone when the vehicle is on the move.
Rear seat accommodation is quite generous in the Taycan, there's more than sufficient room for
adults and Porsche does provide adjustable vents for the kids in the back, but you won't get a
separate climate control zone at this entry level or recharging options for your portable devices.
At 366 litres the Taycan's boot is not enormous. That's the sort of capacity
we've come to expect from small hatches, not a large sedan with a lift-up tailgate.
Still, that's more than enough for a weeks shopping or golf clubs or scuba gear,
and the rear seats do tip forward in a 60:40 split fold ratio to free up more space for longer items,
and there's additional storage space in the front trunk as well.
Driving is where the Taycan's qualities shine through. This is all about the car being a
Porsche first, and EV second. There isn't another electric vehicle on the road that comes this close
to offering the same grip, steering and handling with the sort of poise that the Taycan manages.
If you're looking for a benchmark the model S offers dynamic ability
that's in the same ball park as the Mercedes S-Class, but the Taycan is, well, a Porsche.
Yet despite its direct steering, excellent braking, and exemplary cornering ability,
the Taycan is a very comfortable car too. Those excellent brakes will allow the driver to pull
up gently and the suspension does dampen out the worst excesses of Aussie country roads.
Porsche claims that a Taycan Turbo, or Turbo S with the larger 93 kilowatt-hour battery,
can recharge in less than 23 minutes from an ultrafast charger,
but that's just to 80%. Charging from an 11 kilowatt wall unit in the garage
will give you the full 100%, but you'll be waiting nine hours for that.
Porsche is serious about the Taycan, while it lacks the performance and range available from
its principal rival, the Taycan is an electric car for people who hate electric cars. It's desirable,
it's practical, and it's well priced, until you get up into Turbo S pricing.
The Taycan is a car that will charm you with its style, its dynamic prowess,
and its over all comfort. Don't buy it because it's an EV, buy it because it's a Porsche.