Porsche Taycan Lands On U.S. Shores At Los Angeles International Auto Show
Impressing American enthusiasts is an important task for the Taycan, arguably one of Porsche’s most important new models.
Nothing is more polarizing in the current automotive field than EV cars. Some love them, and some would rather stick to internal combustion. Which ever side of the fence you are on, Porsche’s Taycan is an extremely important step for the company. Electrification has been used on Porsches in the past, but the first all-electric model solidifies their commitment to the tech. Based on the seriousness Porsche is putting into EV cars, our expectations are high.
Since this is the car’s first time in the U.S., we were finally able to get hands on with it at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. On display was a blue Taycan 4S and a white Taycan Turbo S. Porsches signature curves are unmistakable. Design cues from the Mission-E concept are largely carried over, most obviously with the lighting up front.
Move to the inside and the typical driver-centric cocokpit will be familiar. Rather than dials, a curved dash sits in front of the driver. That display is flanked by an array of screens that span nearly the entire width of the dashboard. Other interior functions are accessed through a tablet-sized display on the center console.
Most importantly, we need to talk about propulsion. Specs are out for both the 4S and the Turbo S models. Right out of the box, the 4S will have 390 kilowats of shove. In more traditional power ratings, that’s good for 522 horsepower. Go full bore to the Turbo S, and you’re at 560kW, or about 750 horsepower. Clearly, speed won’t be an issue for the Porsche enthusiast. Driving impressions are yet to be established, but you can expect it to be within Porsche’s DNA of crisp and precise handling.
Costs are just as impressive as the power outputs. Prices in the U.S. start at just a tick over $100,000 for the 4S. Getting the keys to a Turbo S will lift that price an additional $80,000. Playing around with Porsche’s configurator online makes it easy to make a Taycan a quarter million dollars. Taycan 4S models, however are a much more direct competitor to Tesla.
Considering that Porsche customers are extremely loyal and forward thinking, these cars will likely find owners rather quickly. As well, an environmentally-conscious message can be conveyed. Porsche is clearly aiming to send a message with this car.
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