Taycan test drive was a snooze-fest, is this the future?

Taycan test drive was a snooze-fest, is this the future?

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Ken Figenus

5,706 posts

117 months

Tuesday 18th May 2021
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Traction is just staggering in them. Bit surreal given the max torque from 0rpm. iPace test was the same today - front end a bit wallow and torque steery but pretty good on steel springs nevertheless.

I have a petrol that could be used where EV won't get the job done - kit would have to go on seats and in footwells but doable.

Does the tax deduction continue to apply to used vehicles too do you know?

Cheers

Grantstown

969 posts

87 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Ken Figenus said:
Traction is just staggering in them. Bit surreal given the max torque from 0rpm. iPace test was the same today - front end a bit wallow and torque steery but pretty good on steel springs nevertheless.

I have a petrol that could be used where EV won't get the job done - kit would have to go on seats and in footwells but doable.

Does the tax deduction continue to apply to used vehicles too do you know?

Cheers
It doesn’t apply to used cars. A new Taycan will count as complete business expense. If you sell it the next year for 90% of what you paid for it, this will count as a profit so you’re only benefitting on the 10%. You could keep it for a few years though and then buy it from the company against a trade valuation eg WBAC.

Grantstown

969 posts

87 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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ds666 said:
Oh and I doubt travelling salesmen have Taycans on their list .
Sorry DS. Company directors meeting important people to close deals (sell stuff!).

A bit tongue in cheek here :-)

Oilchange

8,460 posts

260 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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ds666 said:
Grantstown said:
If you’re a travelling salesman relying on one car, then the Taycan just isn’t for you.

It is a super car, but in reality is largely owned by people with a few quid who generally also have a sports car and an SUV at least. I think they’re at their best right now, when there are still relatively few EVs on the road.

As a 4S owner, I don’t really understand why the motoring journalists are so keen on the RWD version. The magic happens because power can be instantly shifted between the front and rear. I might be wrong as I haven’t driven the RWD.
I can't imagine how the RWD puts its power down with such high torque at zero revs . 4wd for a daily is a really sensible way to go .
My Ipace doesn't even trouble the traction control off the line is the pouring rain - very impressive - a previous f10 M5 would be laughable in the same conditions ( still awesome thou ) .
I suspect the traction control is working its magic at all times and so quickly you simply don't notice. Computers controlling electric motors would be easier/faster to modulate the torque than say cutting the cylinder ignition or braking a wheel on a petrol powered car. Much faster.

Taffy66

5,964 posts

102 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Grantstown said:
It doesn’t apply to used cars. A new Taycan will count as complete business expense. If you sell it the next year for 90% of what you paid for it, this will count as a profit so you’re only benefitting on the 10%. You could keep it for a few years though and then buy it from the company against a trade valuation eg WBAC.
You can still get 18% per annum 'Writing down allowance' on a used Taycan. The 100%FYA only applies to new Taycans although i usually allow for a generous private use allowance which reduces the tax liability when selling or px'ing. You can't get it both ways.

Cheib

23,235 posts

175 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Oilchange said:
ds666 said:
Grantstown said:
If you’re a travelling salesman relying on one car, then the Taycan just isn’t for you.

It is a super car, but in reality is largely owned by people with a few quid who generally also have a sports car and an SUV at least. I think they’re at their best right now, when there are still relatively few EVs on the road.

As a 4S owner, I don’t really understand why the motoring journalists are so keen on the RWD version. The magic happens because power can be instantly shifted between the front and rear. I might be wrong as I haven’t driven the RWD.
I can't imagine how the RWD puts its power down with such high torque at zero revs . 4wd for a daily is a really sensible way to go .
My Ipace doesn't even trouble the traction control off the line is the pouring rain - very impressive - a previous f10 M5 would be laughable in the same conditions ( still awesome thou ) .
I suspect the traction control is working its magic at all times and so quickly you simply don't notice. Computers controlling electric motors would be easier/faster to modulate the torque than say cutting the cylinder ignition or braking a wheel on a petrol powered car. Much faster.
Very good point. Although I suppose the normal issue with 4wd is added weight which lets face it with a Taycan isn’t really a problem !

Fermit and Sexy Sarah

12,914 posts

100 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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tonyg58 said:
SCO said:
I also now get why Tesla is so strongly favoured by the financial markets (I always thought they would be toast once the big manufacturers got into the EV game). I think I was wrong. I now think they will win.

Because it is hard (impossible?) to make an EV properly engaging as a real world car it doesn't matter if you have decades of motorsport heritage, it doesn't matter how it drives because they will all be much of a muchness.

Cars will become just another white good, like a washing machine or a dishwasher. So you just need to know the stats, like how much range, how quick it charges, see if you like the look of it online. No surprise really that you can't walk into a Tesla or a Polestar dealer in most towns and go for a drive.

Quite depressing really.
Some of them already are.
Have you seen the Volvo advert that says the XC60 is like your smartphone but bigger?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDok_QWwmRU

And yes it is depressing.
Also playing the most over used track in advertising history (Justice by Genesis, if of interest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKzWLUQizz8)

Back on topic. The upcoming driving generation live their life via their smartphones, I fully understand Volvo taking this approach. And yes, I find it depressing too, I can't find any interest in EV's.

wattsm666

694 posts

265 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Grantstown said:
Ken Figenus said:
Traction is just staggering in them. Bit surreal given the max torque from 0rpm. iPace test was the same today - front end a bit wallow and torque steery but pretty good on steel springs nevertheless.

I have a petrol that could be used where EV won't get the job done - kit would have to go on seats and in footwells but doable.

Does the tax deduction continue to apply to used vehicles too do you know?

Cheers
It doesn’t apply to used cars. A new Taycan will count as complete business expense. If you sell it the next year for 90% of what you paid for it, this will count as a profit so you’re only benefitting on the 10%. You could keep it for a few years though and then buy it from the company against a trade valuation eg WBAC.
An ex-demo car counts as new for tax purposes

anonymous-user

54 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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SCO said:
Apologies in advance for offending the Taycan owners on here, but we have a deposit down on a 2WD and finally got round to test driving one. Annoyingly, despite insisting on testing a 2WD the dealer produced a 4S on the day.

Anyway, cut a long story short, it is the first electric car I have driven and I was disappointed by the 4S. It was nicely put together but just very dull to drive at normal speeds. It felt heavy, limited feedback because no engine noise (silly artificial electric sound thing aside).

I get that you can put your foot down and travel very quickly but that wears off after time and is not something you can do day to day in the real world. I think car reviewers have been very kind to it so far, maybe other EV's are just so poor?

The Cayenne we have is exceptional considering it is a 4x4 and I assumed Porsche would do the same for EV"s.

Was I expecting too much?

I actually got quite depressed afterwards thinking future generations are not going to know what they missed.
I'm more than a little surprised by this. IMO/E the driving experience is light years ahead of the Cayenne in every possible respect including involvement and fun. The Cayenne is a remarkable truck but it's still a truck. I didn't want or need a new car and I certainly didn't want an EV after driving a few Teslas but I drove a friends Taycan and ordered one the next day. It's absolutely brilliant. I've swung from being horribly depressed about the future of motoring to loving it; honestly can't see myself ever buying another new ICE car... EV for the week, classic ICE for the weekend... sign me up.

Discombobulate

4,831 posts

186 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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wattsm666 said:
An ex-demo car counts as new for tax purposes
This is important given huge discounts available on some pre-reg EVs (sadly not the Taycan)

Taffy66

5,964 posts

102 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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This post makes absolute sense and not just because i agree 100%.. From a driving enjoyment POV our Taycan 4S is in a different league compared to all the Cayennes we've owned.

SCO

Original Poster:

205 posts

234 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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fblm said:
I'm more than a little surprised by this. IMO/E the driving experience is light years ahead of the Cayenne in every possible respect including involvement and fun. The Cayenne is a remarkable truck but it's still a truck. I didn't want or need a new car and I certainly didn't want an EV after driving a few Teslas but I drove a friends Taycan and ordered one the next day. It's absolutely brilliant. I've swung from being horribly depressed about the future of motoring to loving it; honestly can't see myself ever buying another new ICE car... EV for the week, classic ICE for the weekend... sign me up.
Maybe my post wasn't clear enough, I didn't say the Cayenne was a better driving car than the Taycan. I think the Cayenne totally moved the 4x4 market to a new level (I think most people agree it saved Porker bacon) and the Taycan didn't give me the same impression Porsche has done that on EV.

Maybe it is me, but I just don't get how people "enjoy" driving an EV. No anticipation when you turn the engine over, no rumbling noise from it, no exhaust bark, no gear selection fun. OK, it is fast but it is all so...boring and clinical. Again I am not saying the Cayenne does all this but an equivalent ICE super saloon would and my 997 certainly does. I also accept that the Taycan 4S would kill the 997 but that isn't the point for me.

Grantstown

969 posts

87 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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SCO said:
Maybe my post wasn't clear enough, I didn't say the Cayenne was a better driving car than the Taycan. I think the Cayenne totally moved the 4x4 market to a new level (I think most people agree it saved Porker bacon) and the Taycan didn't give me the same impression Porsche has done that on EV.

Maybe it is me, but I just don't get how people "enjoy" driving an EV. No anticipation when you turn the engine over, no rumbling noise from it, no exhaust bark, no gear selection fun. OK, it is fast but it is all so...boring and clinical. Again I am not saying the Cayenne does all this but an equivalent ICE super saloon would and my 997 certainly does. I also accept that the Taycan 4S would kill the 997 but that isn't the point for me.
I do hear you. This was how I felt pre ownership.
For me, a 992 4S PDK has all the qualities you describe ie boring and clinical. I’d much rather a Taycan. The 992 4S has no sensation of being rear engined. If we’re going to start considering our current sports cars as classics (which is a big stretch) then a 911 has to be rear wheel drive and preferably manual.

Despite loving the Taycan 4S, I’m not an EV fan and I’m still a bit of a petrol head nutter. I’ve only just had a wavetrack LSD fitted to my 991 FFS!

Cheib

23,235 posts

175 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Taffy66 said:
This post makes absolute sense and not just because i agree 100%.. From a driving enjoyment POV our Taycan 4S is in a different league compared to all the Cayennes we've owned.
I am not sure that’s his point...he said the Cayenne is exceptional considering it’s a 4X4....which I think it is. A Range Rover can do more off road some of which is because it comes on more suitable tyres but doesn’t get anywhere close to the Cayenne on the road once the driving gets interesting, X5 is probably the closest to a Cayenne in terms of being “good to drive” but nowhere near as good off road.

I suppose what he’s saying is whilst the Taycan is good it’s not as exceptional compared to other EV’s as the Cayenne is to 4X4’s. Only EV I have driven is the Taycan so I don’t know...without a doubt what Porsche have done very well is make it feel like a Porsche.

Ken Figenus

5,706 posts

117 months

Wednesday 19th May 2021
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Grantstown said:
Sorry DS. Company directors meeting important people to close deals (sell stuff!).

A bit tongue in cheek here :-)
How dare you! I'm an artist not an electric toothbrush salesman! 🤣🤣🤣

Just watched this real world range test and seriously tempted by 19" wheels given the extra cost for a whole whopping inch that trades reduces range and ride quality for car park aesthetics. I want the active roll bars instead! https://youtu.be/VB24iJbusgQ

stef1808

950 posts

157 months

Thursday 20th May 2021
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Finally got round to test driving one and it’s better than I though it would be - did not find it boring at all (for a 4 door saloon)

I didn’t like the 2 speed gearbox, when pushing on it would shift up randomly and disrupt the balance and that effortless acceleration feeling, which was especially not great preparing for turn in and wanting that last extra bit of oomph

Front tyre squeal seems extra loud - this could be down to faster corner speeds without realising it, the weight of the car or simply just more noticeable as it’s the only noise you hear ( but I don’t think so)

I drove the RWD and although it lacked the pace it felt solid and planted, I think it breaks traction faster than my prepd drift car biggrin

My thinking is the turbo would give the same acceleration giggles as the m3p but with all the other Porsche benefits. I just hope dynamically it handles the same as the rwd as I think I’m convinced and properly putting down a deposit very soon biggrin



Grantstown

969 posts

87 months

Thursday 20th May 2021
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Ken Figenus said:
How dare you! I'm an artist not an electric toothbrush salesman! ??????

Just watched this real world range test and seriously tempted by 19" wheels given the extra cost for a whole whopping inch that trades reduces range and ride quality for car park aesthetics. I want the active roll bars instead! https://youtu.be/VB24iJbusgQ
An electric toothbrush executive Ken!

The 19s look great with silver or black and the ride sublime. Also no kerbing. I was planning to go for OZ aftermarket wheels as I just don’t like the 20s Porsche offer or the mission e wheels. Having lived with the 19s now, I’m very happy and won’t change.

If you’re at the spec stage then look to join the Taycan owners group on Facebook. More or less every conceivable question has been answered and you can have a look at every spec going.

anonymous-user

54 months

Thursday 20th May 2021
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Cheib said:
...
Only EV I have driven is the Taycan so I don’t know...without a doubt what Porsche have done very well is make it feel like a Porsche.
Which is the remarkable bit, given the inevitable weight. That's where Porsche have moved the game on in the right direction. If you get a chance drive a Tesla and you'll realise just how good the Taycan is for an EV. Just watch some of Chris Harris' Taycan reviews, one line I remember is "this is new, this hasn't been done before".

21ATS

1,100 posts

72 months

Saturday 22nd May 2021
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Order placed this morning for a 4S Cross Turismo.

Having never owned a Porsche or an Electric car this will be quite a departure for me.

Up until Wednesday this week I had no interest in electric vehicles and was quite happy with my 2017 Audi S6 Avant I'd bought new as my daily. Then I saw Matt Watsons review of the Taycan Wagon on YouTube. A quick conversation with our accountant and the benefits of running fully electric vehicles as company cars for director/owners compared to paying privately for our own vehicles was so clear that this become an absolute no brainer.

So we booked a test drive at Porsche Tonbridge this morning and ordered a pair.

The test drive was interesting, the salesman drove a Taycan Turbo, myself and my business partner drove the 4S behind him. There were a couple of times during the test drive that were full acceleration moments entering a dual carriageway, the Turbo went, we followed. When we got back we asked if he was giving it full beans, which he was. The one thing that became apparent straight away was the price delta between the 4S and the Turbo doesn't relate to the perfomance differential. It's not a £20K or so step up. Even the sales guy said the 4S was the sweet spot, it's still laugh out loud fast.

Now the wait begins till early next year.

Ironically, all the monies saved by going for an EV daily through my business will now be put towards a V12 Ferrari

I was astonished how composed the car was, how the power was delivered and how it felt in all respects like a "normal" car. It felt quality inside and there seems very little downside to owning one of these when considering the huge tax breaks.

Edited by 21ATS on Saturday 22 May 21:59

ds666

2,633 posts

179 months

Saturday 22nd May 2021
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Love it . Get a Porsche ev and buy a v12 fezza with the savings . Brilliant .
Not sure that’s what the government intended 😂