PORSCHE TAKES ON TESLA: THE GAME-CHANGING PRESENCE OF THE TAYCAN TURBO S
Despite the devastation of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the launch of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S this year has heralded a new frontier, to enthuse both electric vehicle (EV) fans and EV sceptics alike. The Taycan Turbo S is a game-changer, setting out to challenge the possibilities of electric vehicle design.
Since 2012, Tesla’s Model S has dominated the performance electric vehicle market. With its 396-mile range (up to 405 with the latest iteration), inoffensive elegant styling and blistering acceleration, the Model S turned the conventional car world on its head. Following the popularity of its limited production run of the Tesla Roadster, which used a Lotus Elise body, Musk and his team designed the Model S from the ground up, taking a software-first approach never before seen in the car industry. Though its initial release was beset with production delays, undeniably traditional car brands were shook.
Over the last eight years, try as they might, no other conventional brand has managed to offer the heady mix of exhilaration and EV credentials like the Porsche Taycan Turbo S. While it’s 254-mile+ range falls short of the Model S by some way, the way it brings the driving prowess for which Porsche is historically renowned, gives credence to the idea that staunch anti-EV types may actually change their tune.
Stylish, elegant, unquestionably a Porsche, the Taycan Turbo S offers the practicality of a family four-door, all-wheel drive saloon. With plenty of headroom for adults in the rear, the in-cabin tech features Night View Assist (epic! and helpful) and a responsively smooth advanced adaptive cruise control. And we haven’t even gotten to the premium sound of the 710W 14-speaker Burmester surround suite yet.
However, none of these features are quite as remarkable as the maximum 1,050 Nm of torque available on the Taycan’s launch control, which will see it precede every other EV off the line. Even the Tesla Model S in ‘Cheetah’ model.
Yes, indeed, the official figures for Porsche’s 0-62mph is a breath-taking 2.8 seconds. Porsche has created an electric motor so refined, it integrates Overboost Power (the electric version of ‘turbocharged’ hence the name) and rather beautifully, the deliciously futuristic rasp of the motor is piped into the cabin, when in Sport and SportPlus modes. It may be more rocket ship than race car, but it nonetheless provokes an inescapable smile.
Porsche’s first all-electric vehicle and it’s clear the game has changed. The question now is: are you ready to play?
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