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by Matt Saunders 11 January 2022 Follow @TheDarkStormy1 Share
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Despite the angst and trepidation that might have surrounded its inception, the all-electric Porsche Taycan can now have very few detractors either inside the halls of its parent company or beyond them.
The Porsche was launched to widespread admiration at the end of 2019. Its model range has expanded considerably since, now including both the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo pseudo-estate and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo all-surface specialist, as well as a special GTS high-performance derivative in addition to the Turbo-badged range-toppers. It has wasted little time in cementing a place among Porsche’s better-selling showroom models, routinely out-selling the 911 and 718 sports cars and the Panamera four-door.
Porsche’s Taycan model line-up is a bit of a maze. The Cross Turismo line opens with the 469bhp Taycan 4, while the Sport Turismo line is currently available as a GTS only.Matt SaundersRoad test editor
Back in 2020, we assessed the top-of-the-line Porsche Taycan Turbo S saloon, recognising it with the very first five-star score that we’ve ever awarded to an electric car in a full road test. Now’s the time for a book-ended second look at the lower end of Porsche’s model line-up: at the single-motor, rear-driven Taycan.
This became the entry-level version of the car when it joined the UK model range in the spring of 2021, having first been introduced in the Chinese market. It’s the only one to do without a second drive motor or a driven front axle, and can only be had as a four-door saloon.
So, having blown us away in £140,000 trim, can this car impress as much with little more than half as much power, but a bit less weight, and costing half as much?
Advertisement Back to top Verdict Model tested: Rating:
Porsche Taycan
GoodOutstanding handling and driver appealSweet compromise of space, range, performance and valueFast DC rapid charging provisionBadSecond row is tight for full-sized adultsStandard charging cable is bulky; Mode 3 cable a cost option
TECHNICAL SPECS
Model tested: Porsche Taycan w/ Performance Plus Battery Price: £76,899 Price as tested: £86,527 Electric motor/s: 1 x rear-mounted permament magnet synchronous Drive battery: lithium-ion; 93.4/83.5kWh (gross/net) Driveline layout: Rear, transverse; rear-wheel drive Model tested Porsche Taycan w/ Performance Plus Battery Price £76,899 Price as tested £86,527 View all specs and rivals Electric motor/s 1 x rear-mounted permament magnet synchronous Drive battery lithium-ion; 93.4/83.5kWh (gross/net) Driveline layout Rear, transverse; rear-wheel drive Power 469bhp Torque 263lb ft 0-62mph 5.1sec (claimed) 0-60mph 5.1sec (tested) 0-100mph 10.9sec (tested) Top speed 143mph (claimed) Kerb weight (DIN) 2130kg (claimed) Weight on scales 2185kg (as tested) Energy efficiency 2.9mpkWh (claimed) Fuel economy 2.7/3.1mpkWh (test average/touring) Range 301/260 miles (claimed/touring test) Max. charge rate 11/270kW (AC/DC) Rivals BMW iX xDrive M50 Tesla Model S Audi E-tron GT Power 469bhp Torque 263lb ft 0-62mph 5.1sec (claimed) 0-60mph 5.1sec (tested) 0-100mph 10.9sec (tested) Top speed 143mph (claimed) Kerb weight (DIN) 2130kg (claimed) Weight on scales 2185kg (as tested) Energy efficiency 2.9mpkWh (claimed) Fuel economy 2.7/3.1mpkWh (test average/touring) Range 301/260 miles (claimed/touring test) Max. charge rate 11/270kW (AC/DC) Rivals BMW iX xDrive M50 Tesla Model S Audi E-tron GT