It has been a year since “technopreneur” and Porsche enthusiast Bill Gates bought himself a Taycan, proving his advocacy for sustainable mobility in more concrete terms through Porsche’s first fully electric sports car.
“I just got a Porsche Taycan… and I have to say… it is very, very cool. That’s my first electric car and I’m enjoying it a lot,” he said in February last year during a video chat with a widely popular tech-focused YouTuber. Gates in the same interview also called electric-powered cars as “one of the more hopeful areas” in addressing climate change.
Since that time Porsche has introduced new versions of the Taycan, all fully electric, with the 2021 model scheduled to arrive in Porsche Philippines showrooms in March. The arrival of the new Taycan in the Philippines comes alongside the latest model’s rollout in showrooms worldwide.
Thanks to Porsche’s cutting-edge electrification strategy—steps above the gasoline-electric hybrid system that is merely a stop-gap technology—the new, 2021 Taycan strikes a perfect balance between performance and everyday usability. With a Permanent magnet Synchronous Motor (PSM) on the rear axle, the latest variant is a rear-wheel drive model, recalling the legendary Porsche 911’s classic rear-engine/rear-drive layout. In the new Taycan, this is seen to further raise driving pleasure.
The new, 2021 Taycan is identical to all Taycan variants and still boasts of acceleration and handling performance typical of sports cars. Distinguishing the newest model are its 20-inch Taycan Turbo Aero wheels and black anodized brake calipers. The fully electric sports car’s front apron, side sills and rear diffuser are finished in black, while LED headlights are standard as well.
The PSM on the rear axle gets a two-speed transmission and the Performance Battery. The powertrain operates on an 800-volt system structure derived from the technology used in the Porsche 919 Hybrid which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In the new, 2021 Taycan, the combination produces up to 408 PS, enabling the fully electric car to accelerate from a standing start to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and to reach a top speed of 230 km/h.
The Taycan is the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts for electric cars. This means consistent high performance, short charging times, and less weight and space for the system’s cabling.
With an 800-volt system, the latest Taycan’s battery can be charged from five percent to 80 percent of its capacity in under 30 minutes when using a 175 kW DC charger. Driving range, in accordance with WLTP standards, is up to 431 kilometers under ideal conditions. Helping in this regard is the Taycan’s aerodynamics, which affords the car a slippery 0.22 coefficient of drag value.
The battery is located in the underbody of the Taycan, leading to a low center of gravity and, thus, sporty driving traits. The battery housing is a load-bearing component of the body structure, accommodating cooling and electronic components and protecting them from the environment. It is waterproof, sandwiched between a cover on top and a bulkhead plate at the bottom. The battery frame is made of aluminum, keeping weight low.
Integrated into the new, 2021 Taycan is the Porsche 4D Chassis Control that analyzes and synchronizes all chassis systems in real time. The latest model is equipped with adaptive air suspension with three-chamber technology, which is supplemented by the Porsche Active Suspension Management electronic damper control system. It also comes with the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport and the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus. Also standard are six-piston brakes in front and four-piston brakes at the rear.
Like all Taycan variants, the latest one is defined by purist design elements. Its front is low and wide with highly contoured fenders. Its silhouette is shaped by a sporty roof line that slopes toward the rear. Its sleek greenhouse, drawn-in C-pillars, and pronounced shoulders above the fenders are typically Porsche. Complementing these touches is the glass-look lettering for the Porsche logo on the rear light bar.
In the five-seat cabin, the new, 2021 Taycan is equipped with a 16.8-inch, free-standing curved instrument cluster, a central 10.9-inch infotainment display, another display for the front passenger, comfort seats in front with eight-way power adjustment, and two spacious luggage compartments.