2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo

Going under production for the first time this year, the Taycan is an all-new entrant in the Porsche lineup and thanks to the manufacturer’s exceptional reputation, we already have no doubts about the reliability or safety factors regarding the Taycan. That said, Porsche has blessed the Taycan with a plethora of advanced safety features and also brings along some sporty elements from the 911 like the adaptive rear spoiler, PSCB brakes, and other such quirks.

Porsche didn't take any risks with the Taycan as it is entering a different segment altogether and this gets pretty evident as unlike most Porsches, the Taycan has been equipped with a plethora of features that come as standard with the car. Despite everything, Porsche asks for $150,900 for a vehicle that gives you the leash over 680 horses. However, in a kingdom ruled by Tesla, the Taycan comes as a direct rival to the Model S that had already established an unbeatable reputation in this segment. So buckle up as the story unfolds.

Although the Taycan is offered in three iterations, they are all very different from each other which is why we have treated them as separate vehicles. That said, the Porsche Taycan Turbo is bundled as just one trim and is loaded with a plethora of standard features.

As we have seen in the other Porsches, the Turbo badge automatically translates to more performance and the Taycan adheres to the same ideology with a bigger battery pack and better acceleration. That said, Porsche also offers a wide array of optional packages for the Taycan thus, adding a bit more personalization for the customers. However, we need not mention that for every option you check, it adds on top of the MSRP.

Trim	Turbo
MSRP (AWD)	$150,900
Key Features	Four-point LED headlamps with Matrix beam
	Four-zone automatic climate control system
	16.8-inch curved MID
	10.9-inch central display and passenger display respectively
	Automatically extending door handles
	Panoramic fixed glass roof
	Porsche three-stage active rear spoiler
	20-inch Taycan Turbo Aero wheel
	Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control
	Rear-axle steering
	Adaptive air suspension

But, which one should I pick?

Since the Taycan is available in just a single trim, there’s no scratching your head here, however, we would add the Performance Package with the Taycan as it adds some sporty bits to the car and brings along some essential features like the Rear Axle steering, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control and also adds a fake exhaust note that fuels your adrenaline.

Powering the Taycan is an all-new drivetrain that consists of two Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors which collectively produce 616 hp and a torque output of 627 lb-ft. Both the electric motors are placed on either axle and hence, power all four wheels. A 93.4 kWh battery pack powers both the motors which is slightly less powerful than its Tesla arch-rival but in the real world, it could narrate a totally different story. 

All of this mechanism transfers the power to all wheels by a two-speed gearbox that, as Porsche claims, has been specially developed for the Taycan. Unless you’ve shifted into the “Sport” or “Sport Plus” mode, the Taycan stays in the second gear by default, as Porsche has installed the low-ratio first gear only for launches. 

Like most Porsches, this electrified car features a Launch Control Programme that helps in making the most of your Taycan while attempting those quarter-mile runs. However, the German manufacturer has hidden an easter egg in this program that goes by the name of “Overboost”. Every time you put the Taycan in launch control, its motors boost the maximum power to 671 hp and hold it for 2.5 seconds, just to give you a head start in a race.

But for the ballistic launch control mode that pins you into the seat and leaves you gasping for air, the Taycan features a rather linear powerband in case you’re out for a casual drive. Also, its two-speed gearbox is a blessing in disguise, offering seamless shifts and keeping the Taycan ever-ready for flat-outs.

Models	Porsche Taycan Turbo	Tesla Model S Performance*
MSRP	$150,900	$101,190
Motor	93 kWh	100 kWh
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Transmission	2-Speed Automated Manual	1-Speed Direct Drive
Power	671hp@N/A	N/A
Torque	627lb-ft@N/A	N/A

*2019 figures used for reference purpose

Though the Taycan is every bit of a Porsche when it comes to handling and performance, Tesla’s punch is still unmatchable and one of the main reasons why the Model S has an upper hand here.

How fast is the Taycan Turbo?

This electrified Porsche is blisteringly fast to the 60 MPH mark clocking a 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds. As mentioned earlier, it’s the gearbox that takes credit for such performance.

Thanks to the low-ratio first gear, the Taycan’s launch is neck-breaking and enables it to reach a top speed of 161 MPH.

Models	Porsche Taycan Turbo	Tesla Model S Performance*
0-60 MPH	3.1 sec	2.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.1 sec	10.7 sec
Top Speed	162 MPH	163 MPH
Motor	93 kWh	100 kWh

Since the Taycan is full of surprises, there’s another one here. Porsche took the Taycan to the Nurburgring just to commemorate their efforts in making a perfect electric sports car. Now, Porsche says that the Taycan’s battery pack is rated at 800 volts as opposed to the 400-volt unit found in most of its rivals. As a result, the Taycan was able to clear the circuit again and again and then, again, thanks to the better heat management due to the bigger potential difference. Its arch-rival - the Tesla Model S, though faster than the German, had to be brought back to its garage on a flat-bed after a couple of runs.

Does the Taycan Turbo stop as well as it goes?

The Taycan’s 0-60 sprint of 3.1 seconds needs equally capable brakes to bring it to a halt. This duty has been undertaken by 10-piston monoblock calipers at the front and 4-piston calipers at the rear. The Porsche Surface Coated discs (PSCB) offer good bite and feedback, however, if you need better braking performance, then Porsche also allows you to opt for the Ceramic Composite Brakes which improve the braking factor by a large extent. Of course, these performance brakes come at an extra bump in price.

Apart from the standard braking performance, like any other electric vehicle, the Taycan also features the regenerative braking system, or as Porsche calls it - Porsche Recuperation Management (PRM). It may not sound anything fancy, however, you are still up for a surprise here. The PRM system on the Taycan is so capable that every time you come to a halt from 125 MPH, the overall range increases by 2.5 miles.

Model	Porsche Taycan Turbo	Tesla Model S Performance*
Brake Rotors Front	16.3"	14.0"
Brake Rotors Rear	14.3"	14.4"
Curb Weight	5082 lbs	4941 lbs
60-0 MPH	97 ft	102 ft

Although we do not have the official stats for the Taycan’s braking performance, we strongly believe that Tesla has an upper hand with its low weight and a commendable stopping distance of 102 ft.

What about its driving dynamics?

The Taycan might be equipped with a completely different heart, but it is injected with the same DNA that you must have seen in other Porsches. Yes, in the real world, the Taycan is every bit of a Porsche. Don’t believe us? Throw it into a corner and we bet you’ll come out of it with a wide grin on your face. 

The Taycan comes equipped with the Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) that utilizes some safety aids to ensure that your Taycan stays planted on the roads, even under spirited driving style. Further accentuating the feeling, Porsche’s rear-axle steering system enhances the agility of the vehicle. Talking about the steering, there is enough feedback from the tires and you feel connected to the roads at all times.

If someday you’re not in the mood to go all flat-out, even then the Porsche’s impeccable ride quality won’t fail to impress you. Thanks to its optional adaptive air suspension setup, the Taycan absorbs slight abruptions of the road and doesn’t let it bother the occupants inside the cabin. When subjected to a rough patch, yes, you may be disappointed by the juddering but that’s expected from a performance car and there are no surprises here. The Tesla Model S Performance might be better in offering a more subtle ride quality, but you’ll be losing out on a lot of other fronts where the Taycan excels in.

Unfortunately, we do not have the segregated eMPG ratings for the Porsche Taycan, however, it offers a combined economy of 90 eMPG which is still respectable for a performance electric vehicle. Add that to a 93.4 kWh battery pack and voila, you’ve got yourself an overall range of 370 miles. Porsche also claims that under ideal conditions,

the Taycan can regain a range of up to 62 miles - courtesy of the Porsche Recuperation Management (PRM).

Models	Porsche Taycan Turbo	Tesla Model S Performance*
MPGe (city)	N/A	92
MPGe (highway)	N/A	105
MPGe (combined)	90	98
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)	370 miles	345 miles

*2019 figures used for reference purpose

Though the Tesla Model S Performance can munch up to a respectable number of 345 miles on a single charge, it still doesn’t match the Taycan’s impressive figure of 370 miles and hence, loses out to the German on this front.

Borrowing a lot of cues from the well-established - Panamera, the Taycan Turbo is finished with some top-notch materials inside, and completely justifies its price tag. Although the seats are wrapped in leather, for the vegans, Porsche also offers Non-leather upholstery as an option just in case it goes against your ethics. 

In terms of comfort, there is an abundance of it in the Taycan. The low set base and the sloping roofline might throw an impression of a claustrophobic cabin, however, it is surprisingly spacious inside. A six-footer can easily spend hours behind the steering. There is enough room all around and the co-driver passenger also has enough space to stretch his legs in case fatigue strikes.

That said, it’s a completely different story at the back. As standard, Porsche offers to seat for two here, however, an additional $489 can get you a small seat stuffed in between the bigger ones. As you’d expect, that seat is practically useless if you’re over 5’6, which simply means, its meant for kids. Come to the adult ones, yes, they are comfortable, thanks to good thigh support. The headroom isn’t very generous but that’s alright, it's not like you’ll be banging your head every time the Taycan hits a pothole.

Model	Porsche Taycan Turbo	Tesla Model S Performance*
Seating Capacity	4	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	N/A	38.8/57.7/42.7
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	N/A	35.3/55.0/35.4

When you compare it with the Tesla, the Taycan doesn’t even come close to the cavernous space offered by the former. That said, this comparison works in favor of the American in this parameter.

Does Taycan Turbo come loaded with tech inside?

Unlike the older Porsches, this new design language has brought in not just one, but four different touchscreen units to keep you entertained. And that’s just in the front, there’s yet another one at the back dedicated to the rear passengers. That said, the key highlights of the tech-loaded cabin of Taycan Turbo are:

• Touchscreen control panel for lighting and chassis control functions
• 16.8-inch curved MID
• 10.9-inch central infotainment display
• 10.9-inch front passenger display
• 5.9-inch entertainment display for rear passengers
• 8.4-inch central control panel
• Apple CarPlay
• Porsche Voice Control
• Surround-view 360-degree camera display
• 4G LTE hotspot
• Bose audio system 
• Porsche Navigation Plus

What about utility?

The Taycan’s powerhouse - the battery pack has been planted below the seats. Now that leaves the Taycan Turbo with an empty hood and of course, the boot too. Porsche has utilized this space to make it a luggage carrying compartment. Yes, the seats may not fold in the Taycan but it still has two trunks. The one in the front measures 2.8 cu.ft while the rear one is much bigger, measuring 14.3 cu.ft. 

Talking about accessibility, the Taycan Turbo is a low set sedan which automatically translates to a low set boot-lip too, thus, enhancing the overall loading/unloading factor. However, the tailgate doesn’t lift high enough for the six-footers, but this discomfort is compensated by the power-tailgate that shuts down with the touch of a button.

Models	Porsche Taycan Turbo	Tesla Model S Performance*
Cargo Capacity	17.1 cu.ft.	28.9 cu.ft.

The Tesla Model S Performance takes a giant leap ahead in this comparison with its massive 28.cu.ft of space. There’s a simple reason behind it. You see, the Porsche Taycan was designed to blend practicality in a sports car, and the Tesla is the exact opposite. It’s a daily driver with loads of space for passengers and luggage, along with a lot of punch under the hood.

Creature comforts on offer in the Taycan Turbo

Now if you spend so much money, you ought to expect some features that could justify the hefty price tag, and the Taycan doesn’t disappoint at all. It has been equipped with some top-notch luxury features, some of them are:

• Leather-wrapped seats
• 4 zone auto climate control
• Power tilt and telescopic steering
• Power adjustable front seats with lumbar support

For those who keep themselves updated with the automotive world, you would notice that the Taycan is heavily inspired by the “Mission E” concept that was unveiled in 2015. Porsche claimed it to be an all-new platform specially designed for the new range of electric vehicles that will come out in the near future. However, the Taycan is the first member of this lineup that has walked out of Porsche’s chambers with the lead torch, marking the beginning of a new journey for the German manufacturer.

Apart from the Mission E concept, the Taycan also borrows a lot of cues from its other siblings. Take the four-point LED headlamps, for instance, one look at them and you’ll promptly call it a Panamera Turbo S. The sides of the Taycan Turbo will also remind you of the Panamera due to the similar sloping roofline, but for a few extra air scoops here and there. Porsche claims that these air scoops help in creating an envelope of air around the Taycan to increase the downforce, of course apart from better heat management.

The rear of the Taycan is mesmerizing to look at. The seamless taillight running across the bumper is a first in the family and delivers a clean yet sporty impression. Talking about the cleanliness at the rear, the absence of exhausts also adds to the same as there are no abruptions in the bumper in order to make way for them. The three-stage adaptive spoiler also neatly blends into the curvy rear, almost as if it isn’t there at all.

Model	Porsche Taycan Turbo	Tesla Model S Performance*
Curb Weight	5132 lbs	4941 lbs
Length	195.4"	196"
Width	77.4"	77.3"
Height	54.4"	56.9"
Ground Clearance	N/A	4.6"
Wheelbase	114.2"	116.5"

Talking numbers, the Porsche Taycan Turbo is overshadowed by the Tesla in terms of exterior dimensions. However, the Taycan’s low set height leaves an otherwise impression, but it’s the Tesla Model S Performance that is slightly larger than the former. 

What are those eye-catching features?

The Taycan not just only copies the exterior from its siblings, but also brings a few highlights of its own. Some of such highlights are:

• Four-point LED with projector-beam headlamps
• Automatically extending door handles
• A panoramic fixed glass roof
• Porsche Air curtains (Side air intakes)
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers w/Heated Jets
• Three-stage adaptive rear spoiler
• Power tailgate

Porsche has equipped the new entrant in its family, the Taycan Turbo, with all the latest goodies from its stable. Apart from the newly designed chassis, the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC Sport) and Porsche 4D Chassis Control further ensure the stability and weight management of the Taycan efficiently, thus boosting your confidence while spirited driving. More safety tech that comes standard in the Taycan are:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Porsche InnoDrive
• Active lane-keeping with lane change assist
• Park assist
• Night vision assist
• Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTVP)
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Active Anti-roll bars

Porsche Taycan Turbo vs Tesla Model S Performance

Since the Tesla Model S Performance is more of a family-oriented sports sedan, the Porsche is otherwise. Both of them are good at what they do. However, in terms of reliability, it’s the Porsche that wins as the Teslas have encountered some breakdowns in the past.The Tesla’s interior is way inferior in terms of quality as well, but on the plus side, it asks for way less money too. Now it all boils down to your budget, for a difference of almost $20k, would you compromise on the Tesla or would you stretch for the more luxurious and trustworthy Porsche?

No matter how much you compare it with anyone, let’s agree to one thing, that the Porsche Taycan Turbo is one of a kind sports car in the segment currently. It is agile, comfortable, and is filled with luxury up to the brim. Its $150,900 price tag might be on the expensive side but hey, it’s a Porsche and it is pretty good at what it does. Furthermore, you get all of this without doing any harm to the environment. Now that’s a plus!