Cult colours comeback for updated Porsche Taycan
The ’90s are back. Well, they are for the colour palette on Porsche’s updated versions of its Taycan electric sportscar.
The Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo models that go into production this September feature a few changes, the most visually arresting being the 17 standard paint colours being joined by an additional 65 hues.
These are part of Porsche’s personalisation strategy called Paint to Sample, and colours include Moonlight Blue Metallic, Acid Green, Rubystar, Riviera Blue and Viola Metallic.
FULL REVIEW: Porsche Taycan Turbo and Turbo S
7-DAY TEST: Living with the Porsche Taycan 4S
TRACK ATTACK: Porsche Taycan Turbo S takes on Porsche 911 Turbo on the track
These more out-there colours are some of the brand’s most love-’em-or-hate-’em historical efforts, made popular on the the 964-generation of 911 sports cars.
There’s even the option of Paint to Sample Plus, giving customers “almost complete freedom in their choice of colour, even permitting them to match their Taycan to their favourite accessory.”
The customer’s always right? Er, no. Hopefully that ‘almost complete freedom’ gives Porsche a get out of jail card if the colour request gets too funky. Or likely to get them sued for copyright.
If you pick a Custom Colour on Porsche Australia’s current Taycan configurator it’ll set you back an additional $18,490. These are “from a range of pre-approved and validated historic and special colours.”
It’s another $18,490 for the Colour to Sample for a “highly individual, unique colour that has to be validated and approved through feasibility study.” That’s an extra $36,980 in total, just to have your Taycan match your handbag.
Each has a minimum lead time of six months.
Improved connectivity and range
Good news too for iPhone rejectors. Android Auto is now integrated into the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), joining the already-there Apple CarPlay.
Porsche is claiming ‘real-world’ driving range improvements for the updated cars as well.
It says in Normal and Range modes the front electric motor is almost completely decoupled and de-energised in the partial load range in the all-wheel drive models. Also, no drive is transmitted to either axles when the car is coasting or stopped.
Sadly, Porsche hasn’t elaborated on how much range gain buyers of the updated models can expect over the current quoted 365km – 437km, depending on model.
Work’s also been done to the thermal management and charging functions, with the battery now able to be heated to a slightly higher temperature than before, making faster charging possible earlier and at a higher charge level.
Again, no actual figures are presented here, which would have been useful.
There’s no suggestion of price rises when the updated models arrive in Australia. At present, the entry-level Taycan RWD is $156,300 (plus on-road costs); the 4S $194,700; the Turbo $276,300 and Turbo S $345,800. All prices are before on-roads.
The jacked-up Taycan Cross Turismo 4 crossover is $176,600; the 4S $205,300 and Turbo $279,000, all before charges.
Latest sales figures show Australians have bought 414 Taycans in 2021 so far – Porsche’s second best-selling model, behind only the Macan SUV. With better supply, the Taycan would have sold in even greater numbers.
For reference, in the same period only 268 911s were shifted.
