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Porsche Taycan Turbo S vs. Turbo Porsche Taycan Turbo S vs. Turbo

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Porsche Taycan Turbo vs Turbo S: Price, performance, and specs compared

Photography: Christoph Bauer Postproduction: Wagnerchic ? www.wagnerchic.com

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The Porsche Taycan Turbo and Turbo S are arguably the best non-Tesla electric cars on the market today. With their distinctly Mission E-esque design, their clean lines, and classic Porsche performance, the two vehicles have a very good chance of becoming one of the German carmaker’s most successful vehicles in its lineup today. 

The Taycan Turbo and Turbo S represent the top end of Porsche’s electric vehicle line. While both are quick on their feet, the Turbo and Turbo S have their differences. Here is a quick look at a number of them. 

Power and Torque

Both the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S are dual-motor AWD, and both are fitted with Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) at the rear. The Turbo S boasts 750 hp with Launch Control, while the Turbo features 670 hp. Total maximum torque for the Turbo S also stands at 774 lb-ft, while the Turbo has 626 lb-ft of torque. The power-to-weight ratio for the Taycan Turbo S is 6.8 lbs/hp, while the non-S variant features 7.6 lbs/hp.

 

Brakes and Wheels

 

The differences between the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S  are quite prominent in the vehicles’ wheels and brakes. The Taycan Turbo is equipped with Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB), while the Turbo S is fitted with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB). Rotors for the Turbo is made of internally vented steel with tungsten carbide coating, while the Turbo S uses internally vented ceramic composite. 

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Calipers for the Taycan Turbo are white, while the Turbo S features yellow calipers. The Taycan Turbo S features 21″ Mission-E Design Wheels paired with large 420/410 rotors as well. In comparison, the Taycan Turbo features 20″ Taycan Turbo Aero Wheels as standard with 415/365 rotors. Interestingly, the colors of the Taycan Turbo S’s Mission E wheels could be matched with the color of the car.

Dimensions and Weight

The two vehicles look identical, and for the most part, they are. That being said, the Taycan Turbo S is wider at 84.4 inches, compared to the Turbo’s 77.4 inches. The Turbo is also a hair taller at 54.4 inches compared to the Turbo S’ 54.3 inches. The 6,327-lb Taycan Turbo S is lighter than the Turbo, which has a gross vehicle weight of 6,349 lbs. 

Performance

 

Both the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S are incredibly quick vehicles, with the latter capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds compared to the former’s 3.0 seconds with Launch Control. Quarter-mile times for the Turbo is estimated at 11.1 seconds and 10.8 seconds for the Taycan Turbo S with Launch Control. Top speed for both vehicles stand at 161 mph.

Range

So far, Porsche has only shared the range estimates of the Taycan from the WLTP. The Taycan Turbo S has a 388–412 km (241-256 miles) range under the WLTP standard, while the Taycan Turbo has an estimated range of 381-450 km (236.74-279.61 miles) per charge under the WLTP. EPA range estimates are yet to be released. 

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Price 

The Porsche Taycan is a premium electric car, and it is priced as such. The Taycan Turbo has an MSRP of $150,900 ($153,310 at launch), while the Taycan Turbo S commands a $185,000 MSRP ($187,610 at launch). These prices are notably high, though considering Porsche’s usual demographic, the Taycan has a very good chance of finding good traction among the crowd that embraces vehicles like the Panamera and the 911.

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 Full Self-Driving and App Connectivity save life in medical emergency

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Credit: Tesla

In a remarkable demonstration of how advanced vehicle technology can intersect with family care and rapid response, a Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised helped save a driver’s life during a severe heart attack. The incident, which occurred on November 15, 2025, highlights the life-saving potential of Tesla’s connected ecosystem.

John Brandt, 55, was driving his new 2026 Model Y Launch Edition on Interstate 20 from Atlanta toward Birmingham early that morning. He had recently received the FSD v14.1.3 update. Around 3:50 a.m., he began experiencing severe chest pain. Barely conscious and unable to safely control the vehicle, John managed to call his son, Jack Brandt.

FSD Supervised remained engaged, keeping the car steadily on course while John reached out for help.

As an authorized driver on his father’s Tesla account, Jack quickly sprang into action from his own phone. He located Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Georgia—a facility equipped for cardiac emergencies—via Google Maps and shared the destination directly through the Tesla app.

The Model Y responded immediately, rerouting: it took the next exit, turned around on I-20, navigated local roads, and pulled directly up to the emergency room entrance. Jack also alerted hospital staff that a heart attack patient was en route in a Tesla.

Doctors diagnosed John with a massive STEMI heart attack, requiring immediate intervention on three blocked arteries. They later confirmed that without the swift reroute, John likely would not have survived—whether he had pulled over to wait for an ambulance or attempted to continue driving. He received life-saving treatment and is now recovering fully.

Tesla shared the story on X, including an interview video featuring John and Jack reflecting on the event. John described the terrifying onset of symptoms, while Jack detailed the ease of remote intervention thanks to the app’s features. Only authorized users with vehicle access can change navigation destinations, adding a layer of security and family coordination.

This case underscores Tesla’s emphasis on connectivity and supervised autonomy. Features like remote navigation allow loved ones to assist in real-time emergencies, while FSD handles complex driving tasks reliably. Tesla notes that FSD Supervised requires active driver supervision and is not fully autonomous; this was a specific incident, not a general emergency protocol.

The story has resonated widely, with many praising Tesla’s technology for bridging gaps in critical moments. Jack previously shared details on social media in February 2026, and Tesla’s recent post has amplified its reach. As vehicles become smarter and more connected, such integrations could redefine personal safety on the road—turning cars into proactive partners in health crises.

For Tesla owners, the incident serves as a powerful reminder to add trusted family members as authorized drivers and explore FSD capabilities. While no technology replaces professional medical care, this blend of AI-assisted driving and seamless app control proved invaluable. John’s survival stands as a testament to innovation that prioritizes human life.

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Elon Musk predicts Grok will start to challenge Hollywood by the end of 2026

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Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

In a bold declaration on X, xAI CEO Elon Musk announced that its model will be capable of creating full movies by the end of the year. Quoting an xAI post showcasing a stunning AI-generated trailer for Homer’s The Odyssey, Musk simply stated: “Full movies by the end of the year.”

The quoted video, created entirely with the newly released Grok Imagine Video 1.5, demonstrates the rapid strides in AI video generation. Crafted by creator David Thompson, the 2-minute-plus trailer reimagines the ancient epic in the style of a 1970s classical Hollywood blockbuster. It features 36 meticulously consistent shots that form a cohesive narrative world.

Its realistic nature is truly mind-blowing, and it’s pretty amazing to think that it cool to think it could create an entire movie soon.

The trailer reimagines The Odyssey as a whole, and opens with a concept board outlining the vision: a retelling of the story using 35mm film aesthetics, classical framing, and other elements.

There are a handful of things that truly outline Grok’s capabilities:

  • Scale and Physics: A bloodied Spartan helmet rests on a sandy battlefield amid smoke, marching armies, and flocks of birds. Horses gallop, chariots charge, and warriors clash with believable weight and motion.
  • Emotional Depth and Dialogue: Close-ups capture intense expressions, as characters deliver lines like a warrior’s grief-stricken speech on a rocking ship.
  • Cinematic Workflow: It’s hard to believe AI created this trailer, as editing and suspense are clearly detailed in this trailer

Now, why is this a big deal? AI has been a real threat to the way movies have been made over the past several decades. It’s no secret that the various AI platforms out there are becoming more capable, but Musk has said that he believes things would be “watchable” by the end of this year, and by the end of 2027, Grok would be able to create “really good” movies.

There are several issues that remain, most notably the ability to remain cohesive throughout the length of a film, energy requirements, copyright questions for training data, and artistic intent. Hollywood has created some of the greatest cinematic masterpieces over the past 100 years, but 2026 could be the year AI not only assists but also independently authors cinema.

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Tesla patent aims to improve common on-road complaint

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Image Credit: Met God in Wilderness/YouTube

Tesla is continuing to push the boundaries of vehicle dynamics, as its latest published patent, US12654505B2, or “Suspension Actuator System for a Vehicle,’ which has finally been pushed through.

The design, which is credited to inventors Brian Lee Doorlag, Avraham Kagan, and Justin Sill, introduces a sophisticated hybrid suspension design that blends active motor-driven control with strategic passive elements to deliver superior ride quality, energy efficiency, and resilience against road imperfections, especially potholes.

At the heart of the system is an active control element powered by an electric motor. This motor drives a belt connected to a ball nut assembly and threaded screw, which adjusts the effective length of the suspension strut in real time.

By extending or retracting, the actuator can lift or lower the wheel more accurately, which can end up countering road disturbances. Sensors, including accelerometers and wheel position monitors, feed data to a suspension control system that processes inputs and commands the motor instantly.

This active component doesn’t work alone. A low-rate air spring mounts in parallel with the actuator. Its primary role is to offset much of the vehicle’s static weight, dramatically reducing the power demand on the motor.

Without this, the active system would constantly fight gravity, draining energy and generating heat. The air spring handles steady-state loads efficiently, allowing the motor to focus on dynamic adjustments.

Complementing this is a series of passive control elementsa spring and an adaptive damper—placed between the actuator and the wheel. This setup filters high-frequency vibrations before they reach the active motor, preventing it from overworking on minor inputs. The adaptive damper, potentially magnetorheological or valve-controlled, further tunes damping electronically for optimal comfort and stability.

How It Differs from Traditional Suspensions

Traditional passive suspensions compromise between comfort and handling, while pure active systems can be power-hungry and complex. Tesla’s hybrid approach resolves this by delegating tasks: the parallel air spring manages weight and low-frequency body motions, the series elements absorb rapid vibrations, and the active actuator tackles larger, lower-frequency events.

The result is a smoother, more isolated cabin experience. High-frequency road noise and harshness diminish, while the vehicle maintains precise control during cornering or acceleration. Energy efficiency improves, too—lower motor loads mean reduced battery drain, potentially extending range in electric vehicles.

How It Mitigates Potholes Specifically

Potholes are a major challenge because they provide a sudden drop to the wheel plunge, jarring the body of the vehicle, risking damage. The patent explicitly addresses this. Upon detecting a pothole (via sensors or predictive mapping), the control system activates

the motor to retract the strut, effectively pulling the wheel upward to minimize downward excursion. The series spring/damper cushions the impact, while the parallel air spring maintains overall support.

This proactive “wheel retraction” prevents sharp jolts, preserving passenger comfort and protecting components. Integrated with Tesla’s road roughness mapping patents, the system could anticipate potholes from fleet data, enabling preemptive adjustments for even smoother navigation.

Future Implications for Tesla Vehicles

This technology builds on Tesla’s existing adaptive dampers and air suspension that is seen in Cybertruck, but advances toward fully active control. It could roll out to future models, including refreshed Cybertrucks or next-gen vehicles, enhancing both daily drivability and off-road capability. By minimizing power use and complexity, it aligns with Tesla’s goals of efficiency and scalability.

In summary, US12654505B2 exemplifies Tesla’s engineering philosophy: intelligent integration over brute force. This hybrid suspension promises quieter, more comfortable rides and robust pothole defense, potentially setting a new standard for automotive comfort. As Tesla iterates, drivers can look forward to roads feeling far less rough.

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