More Affordable All-Electric 2021 Porsche Taycan Ready for Launch

The all-electric Porsche in RWD configuration starts at $79,900.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Jan. 19, 2021

2021 Porsche Taycan BEV

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As a follow on to the Meet the All-new, All-electric 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S back in November of 2019, Porsche is about to release an all-electric but RWD only Taycan. With its front power unit removed, the RWD standard Taycan lost 200 pounds. While EPA range estimates have not yet been provided, it should achieve another 15 to 25-miles range over and above the current 227 mile-range Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus model. I hope it will arrive with even more.

The MSRP for the new 2021 Taycan is $79,900 plus $1,350 D&H. Like all other Taycan models, it also qualifies for a fed tax credit of up to $7,500 and is expected to arrive at U.S. dealerships this Spring.

2021 Porsche Taycan Drivetrain

The Taycan shares the same permanent magnet synchronous rear drive motor and battery as the Taycan 4S and a 600A pulse inverter. Like all other Taycan trims, the Taycan includes a two-speed transaxle to provide strong and seamless acceleration, with efficient highway cruising.

Like the other Taycan trims, the std. Taycan can be equipped with a Performance Battery w/ a max capacity of 79.2 kWh and can charge at up to 225 kW. The Performance Battery Plus weighs approximately 170 pounds more, features a gross capacity of 93.4 kWh and can charge at up to 270 kW. Both take just 22.5 minutes to charge from 5 to 80 percent from a 350 kW High Speed DCFC.

The standard Performance Battery equipped Taycan produces 402 hp and 254 pound-feet of torque while the upgraded Performance Battery Plus provides up to 469 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of battery configuration, the Taycan can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds and has a top track speed of 143 mph. With the standard battery, the Taycan covers the quarter mile in 13.7 seconds, while the larger pack shortens the sprint to 13.5 seconds.

2021 Porche Taycan Interior

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2021 Porsche Taycan Brakes and Chassis

The Taycan arrives with standard 19” Aero alloys, six-piston front brakes and four-piston rear brakes. This setup is similar to the Taycan 4S, but the color of the wheels and the calipers differ. The Taycan will feature black calipers and alloy wheels painted in brilliant silver as standard, while the 4S is equipped with red calipers and polished alloy wheels with high gloss black spokes. Porsche Surface Coated Brakes and Porsche Ceramic Coated Brakes, as well as 20- and 21” range robbing alloys are optional.

Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard. Adaptive air suspension can be ordered as an option.

The RWD Taycan has a coefficient of drag of just 0.24 and when equipped with the optional air suspension, the figure drops to 0.22.

Distinguishing features include a unique front apron, side sills and rear diffuser in black are the same as those on the Taycan 4S. LED headlights are fitted as standard.

2021 Porsche Taycan Interior

The cockpit of the Taycan continues with the free-standing curved instrument cluster. The central 10.9” and optional display for the front passenger add to its modern appearance.

Porsche Connect with Apple CarPlay, Function on Demand, Plug and Charge, Apple Music, over the air updates, and three-years of free Electrify America charging are all standard. And still no Android Auto.

Additional optional equipment such as Porsche InnoDrive with Traffic Jam Assist, a 19.2 kW on-board charger, Head Up Display, 14-way seats with massage functionality, upgraded audio systems, and multiple exterior colors and interior trims are available.

The Taycan is still my favorite looking Porsche.​

Globally, Porsche stated they sold more than 20,000 Taycan’s incl. 4,400 here in the U.S last year.

 

Hi All:

The 2021 Porsche Taycan lineup all-electric range (AER).

MY21 Taycan (RWD) – 200 miles
MY21 Taycan (RWD) w/ Performance Battery Plus – 225 miles
MY21 Taycan 4S (AWD) – 199 miles
MY21 Taycan 4S (AWD) w/ Performance Battery Plus – 227 miles
MY21 Taycan Turbo (AWD) w/ Performance Battery Plus – 212 miles
MY21 Taycan Turbo S (AWD) w/ Performance Battery Plus – 201 miles

I am not sure why the 21 Taycan w/ the Performance Battery Plus (225-miles of AER) slightly underperformed the Taycan 4S w/ Performance Battery Plus (227-miles of AER) but these are Porsche's official EPA results. In Porsche's AMCI testing, the 4S fell behind the latest std. Taycan by 10-miles. Both use the same traction battery with a charge time from 5 to 80% SoC @ 270 kW of 22.5 min. Blistering fast indeed!

Here are the only differences between the 4S and the standard Taycan that I could find? The 4S has a Cd of 0.22 whereas the std, Taycan has a Cd of 0.24. The std. Taycan is also .6" taller for some reason despite using the exact same tires? The std. Taycan is also almost 190 lbs lighter with no diff for the front wheels.

Porsche expects the majority of vehicles to retain 70% of their traction battery’s original capacity through the first 8 years or 100,000 miles (whichever occurs first) with normal use.

2021 Porsche Taycan

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Wayne

 

Hi All:

I figured out why the std. Taycan has a Cd of 0.24 vs the 4S at 0.22. The 4S arrives with the adaptive air suspension std. so it lowers itself at highway cruise. The std. Taycan has to be optioned up with it to achieve the same 0.22 Cd.

2021 Porsche Taycan

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Wayne

 

The 2022 Taycan: More Range, More Connectivity, More Colors

2022 Porsche Taycan

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With design enhancements for the 2022 model year, the day-to-day range of Porsche’s premiere electric sport car has been improved. Additional upgrades include Android Auto embedded in the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, as well as the availability of Remote Park Assist for the first time on the Taycan. With this new optional assistance system, the process of parking the car can be controlled via a smartphone, without the driver needing to be at the wheel. With the new Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus options, unusual and personal color choices can now be purchased. For example, the Taycan can now be painted in the ‘90s classic Rubystone Red, or in bright Acid Green.

More Range

The 2022 Taycan will not be homologated separately, so there will not be any new WLTP/EPA range values. However, the real-world range of the latest versions will be greater in day-to-day use. In Normal and Range modes, the AWD models front electric motor is almost completely decoupled and de-energized in the partial load range. No power is transmitted to either axle when the car is coasting or at a standstill. This electric freewheel function reduces drag losses. The motors are switched on again within milliseconds when the driver requests more power or changes the driving mode.

The thermal management and charging functions have also been improved. With the Turbo Charging Planner, the high-voltage battery can be heated to a slightly higher temperature just prior to charging than before. This means that fast charging is possible earlier and at a higher charge level. In addition, the waste heat from the electrical components is used to an even greater extent for battery temperature regulation.

Remote Park Assist: Remote Control Parking

With the new Remote Park Assist option, it is possible to remotely control parking maneuvers via a smartphone when driving into and out of parking spaces without the driver needing to be behind the wheel. Automatic control is possible for both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces and into/out of garages. The system automatically detects parking spaces and measures them using the vehicle’s ultrasonic sensors and camera systems. If there is enough space, the driver can start the parking process via the Porsche Connect app and then get out of the vehicle. The driver continuously monitors the parking process by pressing and holding a button on the smartphone’s app interface. The Remote Park Assist function independently takes over steering and control of the forward and reverse movements of the vehicle. If the button is released, the Taycan immediately stops the parking maneuver.

Infotainment Upgrades

The sixth generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) in the Taycan has included seamless integrations of Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. Android Auto is now also integrated into the PCM, along with Apple CarPlay. This means that smartphones with the Google Android operating system are now supported. Selected smartphone functions and apps that do not adversely affect driving safety can be operated via PCM 6.0 or the Google Assistant voice commands.

The Voice Pilot voice assistant now understands instructions in everyday language even better. The satellite navigation system calculates more quickly, primarily uses the online search for points of interest (POI) and also displays its information more clearly. The layout and operating system have also been revamped slightly: there are now five menu options instead of three on the left side of the central display and the icons can be arranged individually.

Cool Colors

In the ‘90s, Porsche introduced a number of very colorful paint finishes to its range. These quickly achieved cult status among fans of the brand and are especially popular today on classics like the 964-generation cars. These eye-catching colors are now making a comeback. As part of the continually developing personalization strategy of Porsche, the Taycan is now also available with Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus in addition to 17 standard paint colors. The first option allows painting with 65 additional colors, at present. This includes the Moonlight Blue Metallic, Acid Green, Rubystar Red, Riviera Blue and Viola Metallic colors that are so characteristic of the brand. Paint to Sample Plus gives customers almost complete freedom in their choice of exterior color, even permitting them to match their Taycan to their favorite accessory.

200,000 Charge Points

The Porsche Charging Service offers access to the worldwide charging points on numerous networks, with central billing handled by Porsche. There are currently almost 200,000 charging points in more than 20 countries across Europe, including nearly 6,500 50 kW-plus DC charging stations.

Porsche Destination Charging is an exclusive service where customers can charge their electric or PHEV Porsche models free of charge at particularly popular destinations. It already offers more than 2,000 AC charging points in over 50 countries at locations such as selected hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, sports clubs and marinas – and further expansion of the network is in full swing. All charging operations with the Porsche Charging Service are carbon-neutral.

Wayne

 

Hi Litesong:

Do not worry about hitting something. The lowering only occurs at speed on the road and it drops ever so slightly.

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Wayne

 

Hi All:

I have placed almost 10k miles on the 2021 Porsche Taycan as I am setting up for a lengthy "recorded" drive so I suppose it is time to upload some charging profile details.

This documented charge was completed on the Electrify America network and an ABB 350 KW Charger in Anaheim, CA.

The first thing you see is that the EA Network charges $0.31/kWh for Pass Plus members when charging from California EA network chargers. That membership incurs a $4.00/month charge so that has to be taken into account. The Std. Pass Membership would cost $0.43/kWh while most states have a lower price per kWh.

Fortunately, Porsche Taycan owners receive 3 full years of free charging so it really does not matter to new owners what the efficiency and cost per mile comparisons are for most. That said, I am driving a super car in its most basic - read slowest non-AWD/non-two motor form - that can do the 60 mph dash in just over 5-seconds, has a top speed of just over 148 MPH, looks like it can fly while parked, and carves corners literally as if it were on rails. I am achieving 3.8 to 4.5 mi/kWh (avg. of 4.1 mi/kWh) on my daily local drives so it "would" cost me $0.31 for approximately 4.1 miles of driving. As of Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, the avg. price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in California is $4.43/gallon so I am driving the Taycan about 58.6 miles for the same price as I drive the Prius Prime approximately 75-miles. Super car vs Hyper efficient car and it costs just 22% more dollars WHILE CHARGING on a super fast 350 KW public charging network. That is for those that are outside the free 3-years of charging. I would call that a decent value.

2021 Porsche Taycan Charging Profile 6 to 47% SOC

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At 06% SOC - Charging initiated at 252 KW

12% SOC - 252 KW
16% SOC - 258 KW
21% SOC - 261 KW
31% SOC - 265 KW
39% SOC - 223 KW
43% SOC - 225 KW
47% SOC - 226 KW

2021 Porsche Taycan Charging Profile 54 to 87% SOC Continued


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54% SOC - 206 KW
58% SOC - 188 KW
62% SOC - 178 KW
66% SOC - 170 KW
70% SOC - 160 KW
75% SOC - 118 KW
82% SOC - 067 KW
87% SOC - 032 KW

2021 Porsche Taycan Charging 6 to 87% SOC Completion Details

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Charging from 6 to 87% SOC saw the Porsche Taycan consume 75 KWh in 29-min and 59-sec. The Taycan charging spec is 5 to 80 percent SOC in 22.5 minutes on a 350 KW EA Charger and if you look at the 6 to 82% SOC pic, 69 kWh was added in 22-minutes easily matching its max charging spec. The Porsche Taycan Charges DAMN FAST on a properly working EA 350 KW charger!!!

I snapped the Taycan pic in Mount Vernon, MO as I was making my way to the East Coast late last month while testing for Porsche the EA networks reliability and individual charging locations and charger performance. In just over a month, I have visited 68 different EA locations and charged on 123 individual chargers across 18 states so there was a little work involved.

2021 Porsche Taycan on the return Cross Country Journey


I remotely fired up the Taycan's Ion Drive and was almost blown into next week from the initial blast! ​

Wayne

 

Hi All:

For the 2022 MY, the RWD Taycan has experienced a price increase to $82,700 from the $79,900 it was sold at as a 2020 MY offering. Like many vehicle right now, there is a 3 to 6-month waiting list and picking up a low content RWD is all but impossible.

2021 Porsche Taycan


Charging on a 350KW Electrify America Charger.​

That said, this one broke a CleanMPG Speed vs FE record by some margin! With that intro, here is our first steady states with an all-electric "exotic"!

2021 Porsche Taycan RWD with the larger 93.4 KWh (84 kWh useable) battery (225-miles AER) EV Calibration Drive

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Reset (0.0 miles/KWh) to 4.7 miles/kWh over 226.1 miles indicated, 231.1 miles actual.

Electrify America 150 KW charger provided 52 KWh from 46% to Full SOC.​

231.1 miles on 52 kWh = 4.44 miles/KWh vs 4.7 mi/KWh indicated yielding a negative 0.946 percent aECD offset.

2021 Porsche Taycan


Initial charge for the aECD calibration.​

Temps from 58 to 60 degrees and calm winds for the NB and SB runs. 50 mph actual was 51 mph indicated. 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 mph indicated is actual per the Garmin. The 2021 Porsche Taycan EV Speed vs Energy Efficiency curve looks like this...

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The EPA highway rating of 2.37 miles/kWh was deduced from the Porsche Taycan EVs 80 MPGe highway/33.7 kWh/gal.

The EPA Highway efficiency crossover on a straight-line estimate occurred at 86.3 mph indicating the 2021 Porsche Taycan EV is quite a bit more efficient than its 2.37 miles/kWh would indicate. In fact, this set a new record for how much more efficient the Taycan is vs its EPA rating as our previous best was the 2017 Elantra Eco at a staggeringly high 78.1 mph EPA crossover. In other words, the Taycan's EPA 80 MPGe highway and 239.7 miles all-electric range are officially rated far too low. Given the energy consumption crossover at 67.5 mph is 3.105 mi/KWh, its highway range should actually be over 300 miles vs its 239.7 miles EPA rating. A possible explanation for some of the spectacular results is this Porsche arrived equipped with the Continental ProContact AS tires vs the summer tires on many of the Taycan's. It did not have the air suspension to lower it at speed which provides the 0.22 Cd vs the non-air suspended Taycan that we are driving with a 0.24 Cd.

In a previous Taycan update, I posted this result while in the midst of the Electrify America network upgrade testing. While uncalibrated at the time, the result is the one that indicated how much more efficient the Taycan is vs its EPA rating and the calibrated aECD vs Speed graph solidifies that result.

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I have found the Taycan far more efficient than its 2.11 miles/kWh rating around town as well.

Wayne

 

Hi All:

This has not been released via PR from an OEM yet but the results are public. Just in case anyone wants to know.

The Porsche Taycan set a new Guinness World Record for Shortest charging time to cross the United States in an electric vehicle with a final result of 2-hours, 26-minutes, and 48-seconds.

This result is almost 3 times faster than the previous record holder, the Kia EV6 at 7 hours, 10-minutes, and 1 second Guinness World Record also set in November.

The Porsche Taycan's result is also over 5 times faster than Tesla Model S at 12 hours, 48 minutes, and 19 seconds Guinness World Record set prior to that.

2021 Porsche Taycan


Fast Charging the Taycan in Gallup, NM this past November.​

Wayne