New models lower price of entry to Porsche Taycan family

Porsche has lowered the price of entry to its Taycan family to $156,300 (plus on-road costs) with the introduction of a rear-drive base model version simply known as Taycan.

Plus, the upcoming Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo – with a higher-riding wagon-esque body – gains a $176,600 entry-level model driving all four wheels and badged as Taycan 4 Cross Turismo.

The two additional models takes the Taycan family to seven variants, two of which can be optioned with a larger battery pack, effectively taking the Taycan choices to nine.

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The rest of the Taycan family – Taycan and Cross Turismo body shapes in 4S and Turbo body styles and the Taycan Turbo S – have had a model year update bringing more equipment and price increases of about 2 percent.

Rear-drive Taycan: Less weight, still quick

It may be the most affordable EV in the Porsche stables, but the Taycan still brings Porsche levels of performance, in part thanks to the two-speed transmission that makes the most out of the electric motor and allows a 230km/h top speed.

While all other Taycans are all-wheel drive – with an electric motor up front and another in the rear – the plain old Taycan gets a single motor driving the rear wheels. That saves about 90kg, something that helps with acceleration. It also rides on 19-inch wheels, slightly smaller in diameter than other Taycans.

And, like other Taycans, Porsche says the rear-drive model can regenerate up to 265kW during heavy braking; whereas other Taycans regen most of the energy from their front motor, the rear-drive car obviously does it all from the sole electric motor on the back wheels, no doubt creating engineering challenges to ensure predictable braking performance.

The basic Porsche Taycan makes 240kW and 345Nm when fitted with the smaller 79.2kWh (71.0kWh of which is usable) Performance Battery that provides a claimed range of 369km. Power briefly boosts to 300kW when using the launch control feature from a standstill, which accelerates the car to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.

Like other Taycans, the base car has an 800V electrical system that lowers charging speeds on compatible chargers. The base Taycan can charge at up to 225kW for a 5-80 percent charge in as little as 22.5 minutes. AC charging at 11kW takes more like eight hours.

Like the Taycan 4S, that base Taycan can also be optioned with the 93.4kWh (83.7kWh usable) Performance Battery Plus that also unleashes more power from the e-motor. Peaks climb to 280kW and 357Nm, the power rising to 350kW when using launch control. Even with the extra power, the claimed 0-100km/h time remains at 5.4 seconds, although the 0-200km/h time lowers from 17.6 seconds to 16.5 seconds. EV range increases to 434km.

The Performance Battery Plus can also accept up to 270kW of charge power – the same as the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S – to keep the same claimed fast charge time: 22.5 minutes for a 5-80 percent top-up on an Ultra-Rapid charger. The AC charge time increases to nine hours.

The base model is the only Taycan without adjustable height air suspension, which allows the car to be lowered by 22mm to improve aerodynamics and increase the driving range slightly.

Free charging for Taycan

Like other Taycans, the base car comes with a home wallbox charger and a three-year subscription to Chargefox.

That means free charging at the fast (50kW) and Ultra-Rapid (350kW) Chargefox charging network that continues to expand around the country.

Base Taycan Cross Turismo maintains AWD

While Porsche has reverted to a single motor in the entry-level model of the regular Taycan family, for the higher-riding Cross Turismo – with its unique wagon-style body – it retains all-wheel drive and a dual motor setup.

The two motors combine to make 280kW and 500Nm, climbing to 350kW of peak power when engaging launch control. The dash to 100km/h takes 5.1 seconds.

The base Cross Turismo gets the larger Performance Battery Plus for a claimed range of 437km

Charging can be done at up to 270kW for the same 22.5 minute 5-80 percent charge.

While the focus for the Cross Turismo is primarily on-road, it also has air suspension and increased ground clearance for some light duty off-roading capability.

More features for Taycan – including Android Auto!

Other models in the Taycan range have increased in price as part of a model year update. Increases are around 2 percent for the existing Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S.

See below for specifications and pricing.

As part of the increase all models now get head-up display, grey tinting at the top of the windscreen and a tyre repair kit with an air compressor. Previously reserved for the Turbo S, all models also now get Power Steering Plus, which is a speed-sensitive system to provide more weight at higher speeds.

And Porsche has finally succumbed to Android phone users. Whereas previously the only advanced connectivity was Apple CarPlay – Porsche said most of its buyers had Apple phones – with the new models they’ll now have Android Auto.

Taycan pricing and specifications

Porsche Taycan – $156,300
240kW (300kW with launch control)/345Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds
71.0kWh battery, 225kW DC charging, 11kW AC charging, 369km range
Optionally available with 83.7kWh Performance Battery Plus that boosts performance and range

Porsche Taycan 4S- $194,700
320kW (390kW with launch control)/640Nm, 0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds
71.0kWh battery, 225kW DC charging, 11kW AC charging, 365km range
Optionally available with 83.7kWh Performance Battery Plus that boosts performance and range

Porsche Taycan Turbo – $276,300
460kW (500kW with launch control)/850Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds
83.7kWh battery, 270kW DC charging, 22kW AC charging, 420km range

Porsche Taycan Turbo S – $345,800
460kW (560kW with launch control)/1050Nm, 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds
83.7kWh battery, 270kW DC charging, 22kW AC charging, 405km range

Taycan Cross Turismo pricing

Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo – $176,600
280kW (350kW with launch control)/500Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds
83.7kWh battery, 270kW DC charging, 11kW AC charging, 437km range

Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo – $205,300
360kW (420kW with launch control)/650Nm, 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds
83.7kWh battery, 270kW DC charging, 11kW AC charging, 436km range

Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo – $279,000
460kW (500kW with launch control)/850Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds
83.7kWh battery, 270kW DC charging, 11kW AC charging, 425km range