Fresh and sweet

Taycan adds two new models to sweet-talk you

Since its introduction in 2019, the Taycan range has added options offering something for everyone. Now there are two more variants – the Taycan entry model and the Taycan GTS – to do even more sweet talking.

While all other Taycan variants, of which there are now four, have their own monikers such as the new Taycan GTS, the entry-model Taycan has not, because it's the foundation upon which all other Taycans are built. As the foundation vehicle, it reveals the electrifying character of the Taycan range. The new entry-level model features rear-wheel-drive and is available with two battery sizes delivering up to 300kW with the Performance Battery or up to 350kW with the Performance Battery Plus. With the Performance Battery Plus, the Taycan is the first series production car with a system voltage of 800 volts instead of the usual 400. The two-deck Performance Battery Plus (standard in the Taycan GTS, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S) contains 33 cell modules consisting of 12 individual cells each (396 in total). Their total capacity is 93.4kWh. This Taycan comes with rear-wheel drive. Its drive architecture comprises a permanently excited synchronous motor on the rear axle and, like the other models, a two-speed transmission. Both the range and the continuous power of the drive benefit from the high efficiency of the permanently excited synchronous motors. The electric motor, transmission, and pulse-controlled inverter are each combined into a compact drive module.

For this new Taycan, air suspension is available as an option in lieu of the standard steel-spring suspension. The air suspension automatically includes a Smartlift function. This allows the Taycan to be programmed so that the ride height is automatically raised at certain recurring locations, such as road humps or garage driveways. Inside, classic design features reflect the digital age. The wing-shaped upper and lower sections of the dashboard stretch across the entire width of the car. The free-standing curved instrument cluster forms the highest point on the dashboard, placing a clear focus on the driver.

A central 10.9-inch infotainment display and an optional passenger display are combined to form an integrated glass band in a black-panel look. Two interior seat options are on offer – one leather, the other fully leather-free. Taycan prices start at $156,300.

Taycan a breath of fresh air

Taycan GTS is the real sweet talker

GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport, and these three letters are the embodiment of the ‘sweet spot’ in motoring – not just because GTS signifies sporty performance, but also because the GTS sits between the Taycan 4S and Turbo derivatives – right in the sweet spot. Sweet-talking for Taycan GTS means offering sporty drivers everyday practicality with a particularly efficient drive strategy fused with all-wheel drive as standard. Two electric motors drive either the front or rear axle, enabling the power to be effectively set to ground. With an impressive 440kW of overboost power available when using Launch Control, the Taycan GTS can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds, pushed to the ground through its adaptive air suspension system which includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adapted specifically to the Taycan GTS. Optional rear-axle steering provides an added touch of performance. The standard Performance Battery Plus with a total capacity of 93.4kWh enables a range of up to a very healthy 485km, based on NEDC figures. Exterior and interior refinements are distinctive, with black or dark details on the front apron, exterior mirrors, and side window trims – all traditional GTS touches. In addition, the new GTS includes the Sport Design Package with distinctive trim for the front, rear, and side skirts. The daytime running light elements are finished in matt black with 3D track graphics. The louvred rear diffuser design has the same geometry as the Taycan Turbo models. The inserts in the side skirts and rear diffuser are finished in high-gloss black on the Taycan GTS. The standard 20-inch Taycan Turbo S Aero Design wheels are painted in satin black. Black Race-Tex and brushed aluminium details highlight the interior, where the Sport Chrono Package is fitted as standard. The mode switch for selecting the driving modes (Range, Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual) is located on the GT multifunction sports steering wheel. The Sport mode has been designed to be even more dynamic than other Taycan models. The standard front adaptive Sports Seats Plus combine sporty lateral support with long-distance comfort offering 18-way electric adjustment as well as a memory function. A panoramic roof with Variable Light Control is available as a new optional extra. This features an electrically switchable liquid-crystal film that can change the roof from clear to matt, protecting occupants from glare without making the interior darker. The roof is divided into nine segments that can be switched individually – a world first in the automotive sector. The Taycan GTS starts from $237,000 and is expected to arrive in Australia from the second quarter of 2022. •

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