Porsche Taycan GTS revealed at LA show
The Taycan is already probably the best electric car you can buy; Porsche thinks it can make it better
We know two things about Porsche's GTS models. Firstly, that those initials stand for Grand Turismo Sport and, secondly, that they usually bring with them something a little bit more resolved on the driving front. The first time they appeared was 1963, on the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, and the most recent will be the Porsche Taycan GTS - the first time we've seen them on an electric Porsche. So that's quite a big deal, then.
The Taycan has already proved beyond doubt that our electrified future isn't just about ridiculous straight-line speed. Its maker pulled out all the stops to assure us that - from its production lines at least - there would be no shortage of nuance or delectable chassis balance or indeed impressively sweet steering - the hallmarks of true driver's cars.
The Taycan GTS and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo will be shown off to the world at the LA Auto Show, which runs from the Friday till November 28. The GTS Sport Turismo is effectively the Cross Turismo without the off-road features - it has the same rear-end styling that translates into 45mm of extra rear-seat headroom and a 1200-litre boot.
Kevin Giek, Vice President Model Line Taycan said "I am particularly pleased that we now also have a Taycan with the legendary GTS moniker. It is positioned above the Taycan 4S and below the Taycan Turbo derivatives, so it represents a real sweet spot in the range." He's not wrong, when you consider it has 598hp (including overboost) and that takes it from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. Perhaps, more usefully when it comes to its sporty-touring credentials, the Taycan GTS also extends the WLTP range to 313 miles for both body types. Officially, they use energy at a rate of 3.05 miles per kWh.
As we've come to expect with GTS models, the Taycan GTS has a bespoke set-up to improve its dynamics. This includes tweaks to the PASM, air suspension, rear-wheel steering but also the Porsche Electric Sport Sound generator. This is described as providing a 'richer sound pattern'. Continuing the GTS theme will be the usual black exterior detailing applied to the front apron, door mirror bases and window surrounds, while inside there's plenty of Black Race-Tex suede and anodised brushed aluminium. There is a new option as well: a panoramic roof with Variable Light Control. This has a liquid crystal film applied to the glass that's divided into nine sections. Each section can be switched to one of four settings, from clear to translucent, to prevent glare but still allow light into the cabin.
When they go on sale next spring, the Taycan GTS will be priced from £104,190, with the Sport Turismo version from £104,990. By the way, it hasn't gone unnoticed by PH that the latter is therefore the Taycan Grand Turismo Sport Sport Turismo - perhaps just in case you weren't quite sure about its sporty-tourer billing.
Electric estate car, sounds promising.
£140k and huge dimensions, mean very few will use it as a practical family car.
And spending £140k on an electric car surely negates any savings over life of ownership vs say Audi RS6.
As a company car perhaps this makes sense with some of the tax benefits.
Personally if I was to spend anything approaching £140k, I would want something far more special, rare and most importantly with a great engine.
A mass produced Porsche, for me carries about same kudos as any other Audi / Merc / BMW estate.
£140k and huge dimensions, mean very few will use it as a practical family car.
And spending £140k on an electric car surely negates any savings over life of ownership vs say Audi RS6.
As a company car perhaps this makes sense with some of the tax benefits.
Personally if I was to spend anything approaching £140k, I would want something far more special, rare and most importantly with a great engine.
A mass produced Porsche, for me carries about same kudos as any other Audi / Merc / BMW estate.
Add in the fact that the Taycan seems to be the only electric car that is enjoyable to drive (by which I mean it is more than a one trick pony that accelerates hard) and I remain very unconvinced about our glorious electric future.
Add in the fact that the Taycan seems to be the only electric car that is enjoyable to drive (by which I mean it is more than a one trick pony that accelerates hard) and I remain very unconvinced about our glorious electric future.
The lower model Cross Turismo's are lovely looking cars and far, far more enticing than a Model S for a driving enthusiast.
20" GTS wheels - worth £1,137
Race-tex interior - approx £2,538
18 way seats - £1,440
Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) - £1,052
Sport Chrono - £788
Porsche Electric Sport Sound - £354
Sport Design exterior package - no longer showing as available for the S on configurator
Exclusive Matrix LED headlights in black with PDLSP - £1553
Rear light strip with 'PORSCHE' logo in black - £504
Heated GT sports steering wheel race tex - £308
Roof lining in Race-Tex - £1,338
Taycan 4S cross turismo equivalent cost with above options = £99,363 vs £104,990 for GTS which has slightly "sportier" exterior appearance and full race-tex interior.
I may have missed some things. Often the GTS is better "value" over the equivalent S model but not so sure here, you'd have to want the sportier look. There is a modest performance increase as usual but probably undetectable in real life (0.2s to 62) so I am not sure it's good value. Quite like the look of the Aero GTS wheels it comes with though:
Also as usual to bring it in line with many other cars you have to tick a lot of options. Comparing with Tesla you have to add £2,172 for the driver assistance stuff and £956 for the step up sound system at least. bla bla bla you know the Porsche options drill!
£140k and huge dimensions, mean very few will use it as a practical family car.
And spending £140k on an electric car surely negates any savings over life of ownership vs say Audi RS6.
As a company car perhaps this makes sense with some of the tax benefits.
Personally if I was to spend anything approaching £140k, I would want something far more special, rare and most importantly with a great engine.
A mass produced Porsche, for me carries about same kudos as any other Audi / Merc / BMW estate.
I'm using BIK benefits, but I would have bought a used one or a base Model 3 if I couldn't. Base Model 3 is faster, cheaper and has better tech than a BMW 330, I see no reason why it wouldn't sell very well BIK benefits or not.
A bit like how people say "PIN Number" when the N stands for Number? Sorry I am being a little facetious, I just find it interesting that the full name (if you expanded the initialism) would end up repeating itself.
Add in the fact that the Taycan seems to be the only electric car that is enjoyable to drive (by which I mean it is more than a one trick pony that accelerates hard) and I remain very unconvinced about our glorious electric future.
Add in the fact that the Taycan seems to be the only electric car that is enjoyable to drive (by which I mean it is more than a one trick pony that accelerates hard) and I remain very unconvinced about our glorious electric future.
I'm using BIK benefits, but I would have bought a used one or a base Model 3 if I couldn't. Base Model 3 is faster, cheaper and has better tech than a BMW 330, I see no reason why it wouldn't sell very well BIK benefits or not.
When my friend, after BIK and various efficiencies, has a Model 3 on his drive for less than £20 a month, I don't believe he'd have pulled the trigger on the Tesla without that extraordinary level of taxation assistance. The EV market is artificially-supported, with the manufacturers now expecting the tax-payer to help build more infrastructure.
Generally speaking - If EV's and ICE cars were priced the same, then the majority of the UK car buying population would go EV. This is obviously a time in the future, until manufacturers can shift their stock and production of ICE to EV. Change doesn't happen over night !
Some manufacturers are injecting money into charging networks - e.g. The Ionity network supported by Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, VW and Polestar.
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