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Porsche Taycan to get ‘Turbo S’ variant with special 700 hp+ ‘overboost’ feature
It appears that Porsche might be preparing something special for Taycan reservation holders. While it has previously been hinted that the German carmaker will be revealing three versions of the vehicle — the base Taycan, the Taycan 4S, and the Taycan Turbo — recent reviews from select auto publications are suggesting that Porsche is set to include a fourth variant on its upcoming unveiling: the Taycan Turbo S.
The Porsche Taycan is based on the Mission E sedan concept, which was unveiled in 2015 to critical acclaim. The Mission E featured over 600 hp from its twin electric motors, allowing it to achieve a 0-60 mph time of less than 3.5 seconds. The Mission E sedan’s specs appear to be the closest to the Porsche Taycan Turbo, which is speculated to have a starting price of $130,000 before options.
In a recent review of the Taycan, motoring publication Autocar noted that both the Turbo and the Turbo S variant will have standard power outputs that are substantially over 600 bhp, and both will have an “overboost” function for 2.5 seconds at a time. The two top-tier Taycan variants’ overboost will have some differences, as the Turbo S’ overboost will raise the vehicle’s output to well over 700 bhp, with over 750 lb-ft of torque.
The result of this is a 0-60 mph time that is well below the 3-second mark. This makes the Taycan Turbo S acceleration very close to the roller-coaster-like launch of a Tesla Model S Performance, which has a 0-60 mph time of 2.4 seconds. Considering that the Taycan has been extensively tested in the Nurburgring, the Turbo S version of the vehicle will likely be a formidable car on the track.
Apart from the vehicle’s performance, the motoring publication also revealed some standard equipment that will be equipped on the Taycan Turbo S. The magazine notes that the Turbo S will be equipped with ceramic brakes, a stiffer set-up, standard four-wheel steering, 21″ wheels and high-performance tires.
The Porsche Taycan is set to be unveiled next week on September 4, 2019 at 9 a.m. EST. The vehicle will be launched at three locations: one in Canada, one in Germany, and another in China. Pricing for the base Taycan, which will reportedly be equipped with a single motor and an 80 kWh battery pack, is expected to be in the low ~$90,000 range. The mid-range Taycan 4S, speculated to be priced at the high ~$90,000 range, is estimated to be fitted with two electric motors and a 96 kWh battery pack.
The two top variants of the Taycan are expected to command a notably higher price, with the Turbo version starting at $130,000 before options. Pricing for the Turbo S is yet to be announced, though considering that the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo commands a ~$190,000 price, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Taycan’s fastest iteration ends up being priced closer to the next-gen Tesla Roadster than the Model S.
News
Starlink gets its latest airline adoptee for stable and reliable internet access
The company said it plans to “rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet,” and that the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will enter service this Summer.
SpaceX’s Starlink, the satellite internet program launched by Elon Musk’s company, has gotten its latest airline adoptee, offering stable and reliable internet to passengers.
Southwest Airlines announced on Wednesday that it would enable Starlink on its aircraft, a new strategy that will expand to more than 300 planes by the end of the year.
The company said it plans to “rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet,” and that the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will enter service this Summer.
Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer and Brand Officer for the airline, said:
“Free WiFi has been a huge hit with our Rapid Rewards Members, and we know our Customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel. Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air, giving Customers the ability to stream their favorite shows from any platform, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from takeoff to landing.”
Southwest also said that this is just one of the latest upgrades it is making to provide a more well-rounded experience to its aircraft. In addition to Starlink, it is updating cabin designs, offering more legroom, and installing in-seat power to all passengers.
Southwest became one of several airlines to cross over to Starlink, as reviews for the internet provider have raved about reliability and speed. Over the past year, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, airBaltic, Air France, JSX, Emirates, British Airways, and others have all decided to install Starlink on their planes.
This has been a major move away from unpredictable and commonly unreliable WiFi offerings on planes. Starlink has been more reliable and has provided more stable connections for those using their travel time for leisure or business.
Jason Fritch, VP of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX, said:
“We’re thrilled to deliver a connectivity experience to Southwest Airlines and its Customers that really is similar, if not better, than what you can experience in your own home. Starlink is the future of connected travel, making every journey faster, smoother, and infinitely more enjoyable.”
Starlink recently crossed a massive milestone of over 10 million subscribers.
Elon Musk
Tesla nears closure of Full Self-Driving purchasing option
The move to bring FSD to this type of purchasing program comes after CEO Elon Musk noted in January that Tesla would move away from the outright purchase option.
Tesla is nearing the closure of its Full Self-Driving outright purchasing option, which will be removed on February 14, meaning Saturday will be the last time it can be bought as a non-subscription.
Tesla is aiming to move its Full Self-Driving suite to a subscription-only platform, a move that will enable people to only pay monthly for the semi-autonomous driving functionality.
The move to bring FSD to this type of purchasing program comes after CEO Elon Musk noted in January that Tesla would move away from the outright purchase option.
It is currently priced at $8,000 for the outright option to use Full Self-Driving, a substantial decrease compared to the $15,000 it was priced at one time. For the monthly subscription, it is just $99 per month, but that price will change, likely increasing as things get more advanced.
Tesla is overhauling its Full Self-Driving subscription for easier access
We say it will likely increase because there is no indication of how Tesla will price FSD. There has been some speculation that Tesla could utilize a tiered system to price FSD, which would potentially allow owners to pick and choose a set of features that would be most ideal for them.
This would potentially introduce an even more affordable option for FSD use, but this is unconfirmed. The reason many say this could be an option for Tesla is the fact that if the price goes up further, the take rate, which is currently around 12 percent at its most recent estimate, could be lower.
Musk needs 10 million active Full Self-Driving subscriptions to unlock one of the tranches of his newest compensation package.
The move to a subscription-only platform has its positives and negatives, and owners have been more than vocal about these since Musk confirmed the move.
Positives
- Lower barrier to entry and higher potential adoption
- Financially better for many users
- Easier transfers and brand loyalty
- Predictable recurring revenue for Tesla
- Access to the latest features
Negatives
- Higher long-term cost for loyal/long-term owners
- No true “ownership” or permanence
- Risk of future price hikes or even deactivation
- Perceived as of less value
- Impact on resale and used market
Overall, there is a split among the Tesla community in terms of what they see as the “right” way to handle this. Tesla is likely to shed more details on what its plans for the subscription-only platform will be, including pricing, in the coming weeks.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Boring Company selected for Universal Orlando tunnel project
The underground transport tunnel is designed to address the persistent gridlock surrounding International Drive.
Elon Musk’s The Boring Company has been selected for a proposed underground transit system connecting Universal Orlando Resort and the newly opened Universal Epic Universe.
The underground transport tunnel is designed to address the persistent gridlock surrounding International Drive.
As noted in a blooloop report, Universal’s Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District approved a resolution showing its intent to designate The Boring Company as the contractor for the project.
The agreement covers the full scope of the project, from the tunnel’s design, construction, and maintenance. The project has also been described in public documents as a “point-to-point innovative transportation” initiative with a 25-year agreement.
The proposed Boring Company tunnels would directly link Universal’s existing parks with Epic Universe, which sits roughly three miles away from Universal Orlando Resort. Today, buses are the only direct connection between the two destinations.
Project requirements were quite stringent. Bidders were required to demonstrate at least $75 million in bonding capacity, have a minimum of seven years of operational experience, and show prior delivery of a comparable project valued at $25 million or more within the past 15 years. The Boring Company, thanks in no small part to the Vegas Loop, meets these requirements.
The Orlando selection adds to The Boring Company’s growing portfolio of Loop-style systems. In Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop has transported more than two million passengers in Tesla vehicles through underground tunnels since 2021. The greater Vegas Loop system is also under construction.
For now, residents in the area seem enthusiastic about the upcoming project. In a comment to Fox35, residents noted that the tunnels could improve traffic in the area.
“We are very congested at certain times and certain hours and that would certainly help with people not having to budget their time,” Mary Walters-Clark, a resident, stated. Another resident, Scott Heinz, echoed similar sentiments. “I think it would be a new opportunity to lessen traffic load and good for visitors as well,” he said.
The tunneling startup has started bringing its Loop projects to international locations. It recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to explore the development of a 17-kilometer underground Loop network beneath Dubai.
Starlink gets its latest airline adoptee for stable and reliable internet access
Tesla nears closure of Full Self-Driving purchasing option
