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Porsche Taycan is here: 0-60 mph in 2.6 sec, 750 HP, good looks with a 911 price tag

The Porsche Taycan Turbo S. (Credit: Porsche AG)

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The Porsche Taycan is here. In three simultaneous events in Canada, Germany, and China, the veteran automaker took the wraps off its first all-electric sports car. Addressing the audience at Niagara Falls, Porsche Executive Board Member for Sales and Marketing Detlev von Platen highlighted the importance of the Taycan to the company, particularly as it is a vehicle that is designed to carry Porsche into the electric age. 

“The Taycan links our heritage to the future. It carries forward the success story of our brand – a brand that has fascinated and thrilled people the world over for more than 70 years. This day marks the start of a new era,” he said. 

Porsche will be starting its electric car push with the Taycan’s top two configurations: the Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S. The base Taycan, as well as the midrange Taycan 4S, are expected to follow later this year, while the vehicle’s first derivative, the outdoor-themed Taycan Cross Turismo, is poised to be launched by the end of 2020. The company noted that by 2022, it would have invested over $6.6 billion in its electric vehicle initiatives.  

Following is an overview of the Taycan’s characteristics, from its design and performance to its safety features and price. 

The Porsche Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S. (Credit: Porsche AG)

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Design

Immediately noticeable from the production version of the Taycan is that the vehicle is very close to the appearance of the Mission E sedan. The Taycan is 1,966 mm (77.4 inches) wide but only 1,380 mm (54.33 inches) high, which gives the car a wide and flat look that is distinctly Porsche. It’s very low to the ground, being 40 mm (1.5 inches) lower than the Panamera. From the rear, the Taycan is shaped by a roofline that slopes downward to the rear, while its side sections are highly sculpted, giving the vehicle a wide and sporty stance. Overall, the Taycan has a length of 4,963 mm (195.39 inches) and a wheelbase of 2,900 mm (114.17 inches). The vehicle also has a 0.22 drag coefficient, which is currently the lowest of all cars Porsche has released to date. 

Performance

Porsche has only revealed the performance figures of the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S. With Launch Control, the Taycan Turbo S is capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. The Taycan Turbo is only a fraction of a second behind, with its 0-60 mph time of 3.0 seconds. Quarter-mile times for each vehicle stand at 10.8 seconds for the Taycan Turbo S and 11.1 seconds for the Taycan Turbo. 

The secret to the Taycan’s speed lies in its two electric motors, the front of which has a max output of 190 kW for the Turbo S and 175 kW for the Turbo. The Taycan’s 335 kW rear motor, as well as its dedicated Launch Mode options with “Overboost,” ultimately allows the Taycan to have a maximum torque of 1,050 Nm for the Turbo S and 850 Nm for the Turbo variant. 

The Porsche Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S. (Credit: Porsche AG)

Safety

The Taycan’s body is comprised of an aluminum chassis reinforced with hot-formed steel on pillars and doors. Porsche highlighted that the vehicle was designed with strict requirements to ensure that nothing can puncture the car’s battery pack. In the event of a frontal crash, the Taycan’s front assemblies slide away from the pack to prevent intrusions into the cabin. The Taycan is equipped with a suite of sensors as well, including front and rear radar, wide-angle cameras, a mono front camera, ultrasonic sensors, and long-range radar. 

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Battery

Porsche opted to utilize a 100 kWh battery pack with the Taycan, though only 93 kWh of this is usable. The Taycan’s batteries are made from Li-ion pouch cells that are provided by LG Chem. The Taycan’s aluminum battery pack has a 2 mm thickness on the bottom, with cell modules resting on top of the cooling system on the battery pack. 

The automaker utilized its 800-volt architecture for the Taycan, which, Porsche noted, reduces the current needed to produce large amounts of power. The lower current also means that Porsche could use thinner cables for the vehicle, allowing the Taycan’s wiring system to be lighter. Ultimately, Porsche notes that the Taycan’s 800-volt tech enables higher continuous power and faster charging.

The Porsche Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S. (Credit: Porsche AG)

Range

The Porsche Taycan has not been issued with an official EPA rating yet, though the Turbo S has been given a 388–412 km (241-256 miles) range per charge under the WLTP standard. The Taycan Turbo was given a higher max range rating by the WLTP, outlasting its more powerful sibling with an estimated range of 381-450 km (236.74-279.61 miles) per charge. 

The Taycan Turbo has a power consumption of 25.7–24.5 kWh/100 km under the WLTP, which makes it more efficient compared to the Taycan Turbo S’ 26.7–23.0 kWh/100 km. Overall, the Taycan Turbo has a combined power consumption rating of 26.0 kWh/100 km under the NEDC, while the Turbo S variant is rated at 26.9 kWh/100 km. 

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Features

The Porsche Taycan’s storage area is comprised of a rear trunk and a frunk. According to the vehicle’s official spec sheet released for North America, the Taycan’s frunk has 2.8 cubic feet of space, while its rear trunk has 12.9 cubic feet of space. The Taycan is also equipped with two charging ports. Interestingly, the Taycan has a nifty feature for times when its charging port door is stuck due to ice. In such instances, the Taycan’s charge port door will vibrate and gradually increase the force until the vibrations break the ice. This should help electric car owners charge their vehicles during winters. 

Price

Porsche states that the Taycan is one of its most important vehicles since the 911. In this sense, the Taycan is priced in pretty much the same bracket as the flagship sports car. The Taycan Turbo starts at $150,900 ($153,310 at launch), which is comparable to the price of a 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo. For comparison, Porsche Fremont’s official website lists the 2019 911 Turbo with an MSRP of $161,800.

The Taycan Turbo S is Porsche’s flagship electric car to date, and it is priced as such. The vehicle starts at $185,000 ($187,610 at launch), making it comparable to the price of a 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S, which is listed in the United States with an MSRP of $190,700. 

Watch the Porsche Taycan’s unveiling in the video below. 

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Model 3 and Model Y named top car buys in Norway

Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability.

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Credit: Grok Imagine

Norway’s annual roundup of the best car purchases featured Tesla’s two main sellers this year, with the Model 3 and Model Y securing top positions in their respective segments. 

Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability. The verdict comes as electric vehicle adoption remained above 95% of new vehicle sales in the country.

Tesla Model 3 strengthens its value position

Among compact EVs, the Tesla Model 3 maintained its position as the best overall buy thanks to its strong blend of performance, efficiency, and updated features. Reviewers noted that every trim offered compelling value, especially with the all-electric sedan’s improved cabin ergonomics and the return of the turn-signal stalk, which was one of the few previous complaints among drivers. 

The Model 3’s mix of long-range capability, low operating costs, and responsive handling has continued to set the benchmark for compact EVs in Norway. While competitors from Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Peugeot have narrowed the gap, Tesla’s price-to-capability ratio has remained difficult to beat in this segment, Motor.no reported.

“The Model 3 clearly offers the best value for money in the compact class, no matter which version you choose. Now it also gets the turn signal lever back. This eliminates one of the few flaws in a driving environment that many believe is the best on the market,” the publication wrote. 

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Tesla Model Y claims its crown

The Tesla Model Y emerged as Norway’s top family-car purchase this year. The latest refresh introduced improvements in ride quality, styling, and interior materials, allowing the Model Y to deliver a more premium driving experience without a substantial price increase. 

Reviewers praised its spacious cabin, strong safety profile, and practical range, all of which reinforced its appeal for families needing an all-purpose electric crossover. The Model Y remains especially notable given its continued popularity in Norway even as Tesla faces declining sales in other global markets.

“The Model Y is back as the winner in the family class. The upgrade in the new year was even more extensive than expected. It is a slightly more elegant and significantly more comfortable Model Y that solidifies its position as Norway’s best car purchase in the most important class,” the Norwegian motoring publication noted.

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Tesla Giga Berlin is still ramping production to meet Model Y demand: plant manager

Tesla Gigafactory Berlin has expanded to two full shifts, as per the facility’s plant manager, and a lot of it is due to Model Y demand.

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Credit: Tesla/X

Tesla Gigafactory Berlin has expanded to two full shifts, as per the facility’s plant manager, and a lot of it is due to Model Y demand. While registrations in some countries such as Sweden have fallen sharply this year, the company’s sales in other key territories have been rising. 

Giga Berlin shifts to two shifts

Giga Berlin factory manager André Thierig told the DPA that the facility has been running two shifts since September to manage a surge in global orders. And due to the tariff dispute with the United States, vehicles that are produced at Giga Berlin are now being exported to Canada. 

“We deliver to well over 30 markets and definitely see a positive trend there,” Thierig said.

Despite Giga Berlin now having two shifts, the facility’s production still needs to ramp up more. This is partly due to the addition of the Tesla Model Y Performance and Standard, which are also being produced in the Grunheide-based factory. Interestingly enough, Giga Berlin still only produces the Model Y, unlike other factories like Gigafactory Texas, the Fremont Factory, and Gigafactory Shanghai, which produce more than one type of vehicle. 

Norway’s momentum

Norway, facing an imminent tax increase on cars, has seen a historic spike in Tesla purchases as buyers rush to secure deliveries before the change takes effect, as noted in a CarUp report. As per recent reports, Tesla has broken Norway’s all-time annual sales record this month, beating Volkswagen’s record that has stood since 2016.

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What is rather remarkable is the fact that Tesla was able to achieve so much in Norway with one hand practically tied behind its back. This is because the company’s biggest sales draw, FSD, remains unavailable in the country. Fortunately, Tesla is currently hard at work attempting to get FSD approved for Europe, a notable milestone that should spur even more vehicle sales in the region.

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Tesla launches crazy Full Self-Driving free trial: here’s how you can get it

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tesla full self driving
Credit: Tesla

Tesla is launching a crazy Full Self-Driving free trial, which will enable owners who have not purchased the suite outright to try it for 30 days.

There are a handful of stipulations that will be needed in order for you to qualify for the free trial, which was announced on Thursday night.

Tesla said the trial is for v14, the company’s latest version of the Full Self-Driving suite, and will be available to new and existing Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck owners, who will have the opportunity to try the latest features, including Speed Profiles, Arrival Options, and other new upgrades.

You must own one of the five Tesla models, have Full Self-Driving v14.2 or later, and have an eligible vehicle in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Canada.

The company said it is a non-transferable trial, which is not redeemable for cash. Tesla is reaching out to owners via email to give them the opportunity to enable the Full Self-Driving trial.

Those who are subscribed to the monthly Full Self-Driving program are eligible, so they will essentially get a free month of the suite.

Once it is installed, the trial will begin, and the 30-day countdown will begin.

Tesla is making a major push to increase its Full Self-Driving take rate, as it revealed that about 12 percent of owners are users of the program during its recent earnings call.

Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja said during the call:

“We feel that as people experience the supervised FSD at scale, demand for our vehicles, like Elon said, would increase significantly. On the FSD adoption front, we’ve continued to see decent progress. However, note that the total paid FSD customer base is still small, around 12% of our current fleet.”

Earlier today, we reported on Tesla also launching a small-scale advertising campaign on X for the Full Self-Driving suite, hoping to increase adoption.

Tesla Full Self-Driving warrants huge switch-up on essential company strategy

It appears most people are pretty content with the subscription program. It costs just $99 a month, in comparison to the $8,000 fee it is for the outright purchase.

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