Road Tested by: Hugh Maguire.
Renowned performance car manufacturer Porsche started their entry in to the EV world with the Taycan back in 2019.
More recently they have added a Macan electric and just last month they announced an electric version of the popular Cayenne.
Interestingly Porsche are a bit uncertain now about their EV strategy going forward.
Initially they were for example going to stop production of the combustion (ICE) engined Macan but now they have decided to continue to produce the Macan ICE alongside the new Macan electric thus giving buyers the option of electric or combustion engines.
Also with two of their popular sport cars the Boxster and Cayman they were well into the development of both right up to having prototype test cars on track when it now seems they will do a complete U-turn and ditch the electric Boxster and Cayman in favour of keeping internal combustion engined cars for this model range. There will it is rumoured (yet to be confirmed) be no electric Boxster or Cayman. This complete change in strategy is going to cost Porsche literally billions so why are they considering doing it?
Well first of all the global market for EV’s and their uptake despite growing sales has not been as large or as quick as was hoped. Second as other manufacturers have discovered the appetite for electric sports cars is pretty low. After all much of the character of a sports car is made up of its engine characteristics. As I have seen over the years EV’s are all pretty much the same and generally lack any character or soul. They are all in effect a battery with either one or two electric motors driving either two or four wheels. They are big and heavy and drive so similarly that were you to cover the badge I would have difficulty differentiating one from another with maybe one exception. Which brings us neatly to this road test of the latest version of the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.
The Taycan 4S Cross Turismo is of course an EV, but no ordinary EV as it aims to be a true Porsche with real driver appeal and performance with a capital P.
There are two body styles the Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo and a variety of power outputs. The Taycan 4S Cross Turismo has a lithium -ion battery between the two axles and an electric motor driving each axle. With air suspension, four wheel steering and a rear mounted two-speed gearbox the set up is designed to deliver real driver satisfaction and blistering performance. So let’s find out if it delivers on that promise?
Has it got kerb appeal?
I think this Cross Turismo version looks even better than the Taycan. I really like the style, there are overtures to the shape of both the 911 and the Panamera. Sitting on massive 21 inch alloy wheels the Taycan Cross Turismo certainly turns heads, it’s a cracking looking car with real presence on the road. The colour of my test car added to the impact of the overall design. It is called ‘Provence’ and as you can see from the photographs it looks incredible. So overall then this Taycan Cross Turismo scores a bulls eye for design. It’s a distinctive, sporty, and alluring design. I love it!
How about the interior?
Slip inside and the owner of a current Panamera or 911 will not feel unfamiliar with the controls. Everything is digital of course with even the controls in the centre console set in a portrait screen with haptic touch to the screen “buttons” . The layout and design is really very well executed and though digital there is an analogue style to the round driver display instruments which is really a nice touch.
The whole cabin is finished to a very high standard as you would expect of a Porsche. The level of standard equipment is good but as with all Porsche cars there are many items you might find as standard on rivals but are extra cost options on a Porsche a good example here being seat heating. The net result is that if you tick the options box enthusiastically you can mount up a cost close to that of a small car in just optional extras.
The cabin is roomy but a strict four seater due to the individual design of the rear seats. That’s no bad thing as they are very comfortable. The whole ambiance of this superb cabin is further enhanced by mood lighting with a choice of multiple colours to suit your every whim.
How about performance?
The Taycan Cross Turismo uses a unique 800 volt electrical architecture with a 105 kWh battery driving two electric motors powering all four wheels. This set up allows for much faster charging than lower voltage systems and much greater performance. The result is the Taycan 4S delivers 517 bhp normally or 598 bhp and 710Nm of torque with launch control. So it certainly packs a punch.
0 to 100km/h is dispatched in just 3.6 seconds and top speed where allowed is 240 km/h. Being electric the thrust is instant and being all wheel drive there is no loss in traction off the line. In reality this means the acceleration feels truly dramatic with no hint of wheel spin just a massive shove in the back. It’s certainly impressive! So the Taycan Cross Turismo definitely delivers in the performance stakes.
Range is claimed to be some 570km but use the performance with gusto and you will eat into that. A fast charge from 10% to 80% on a high power charger takes about 18 minutes.
So is it good to drive?
After extensively road testing the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo I was left with two overriding lasting impressions. It feels very much a true Porsche and it’s very very quick!
It is a car with true Porsche DNA despite some of the vices that come with all EV’s in particular huge weight.
Its super silent, the brakes are incredible and it handles extremely well though you do feel that aforementioned massive 2.3 tonne weight at times. Overall the Taycan Cross Turismo truly delivers a rewarding driving experience.
Hugh’s verdict
Prices start at €112,059 for the Taycan Cross Turismo while the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo starts at €133,378 and that is before you start to add a wallet busting host of tempting options!
So to my verdict. The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is without doubt King of the electric cars! In my opinion Porsche have created the worlds most desirable high performance electric car!
Likes:
Superb Performance
Head turning styling
A true drivers car despite being electric.
Dislikes:
Expensive especially when you tick the options list.
Limited practicality.
Hard to disguise its mass in press on driving.