2020 Porsche Taycan 4S

The new Porsche Taycan is offered in three different trim levels: The 4S Electric Sedan, Turbo Sedan and Turbo S sedan. All three trims have totally different engine configurations as well. The 4S sedan is the base model. This offers a longer range as compared to the turbo models and is mainly focussed towards a more city & highway oriented use. 

The Turbo and the Turbo S models are more performance-oriented vehicles and get a higher power output. However, the 4S being the basic trim does not feel compromised at any level. You get a lot of high-tech equipment as standard and moreover the Porsche also provides a big list of customization options for its customers. The Porsche always makes a beautiful daily driving machine that gives you the ultimate performance for your track days and ultimate luxury for your daily commute. Some of the major highlights for the Taycan are listed below: 

Model	Taycan 4S
MSRP (AWD)	$103,800
Key Features	Four-point LED headlamps with Matrix beam6.8-inch curved MID
	A four-zone automatic climate control system
	16.8-inch curved MID
	10.9-inch central display and passenger display respectively
	Automatically extending door handles
	Panoramic fixed glass roof
	Porsche three-stage active rear spoiler
	20-inch Taycan Turbo Aero wheel
	Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control
	Rear-axle steering
	Adaptive air suspension

We Recommend?

The Porsche Taycan 4S, according to us that would really float everyone’s boat. The cheapest among the three variants provide the least power but when it comes to a daily driver, practicality is what makes more sense. The 4S provides a longer duration between each charging stop. We would also recommend the optional 150-KW battery charger as triples the charging speed.

The Porsche Taycan has two separate motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear wheels. The 4S Sedan gets the least power output amongst all its siblings at 522 HP with the base battery pack. However, once you hook it up with the bigger battery, you get a massive 563 HP. The Turbo being in the middle of the line-up generates 670 HP. The Turbo S being the top of the line-up generates a massive 750 HP.

In order to keep the battery pack cool, the maximum power is not kept up all the time. Once you are off the line, the car will push you to the fastest acceleration and then the power is slightly reduced. But that being said, you still get the electrifying performance and at no time do you really feel that the power is less. The twin-gear transmission in an electric vehicle is also the first in its class. The front motor gets a single gear which is generating the maximum torque all the time. The gear shift in the transmission is really uncanny in the normal drive, but once you engage the launch control, you will certainly feel the aggressive shift.

Models	Porsche Taycan 4S	Tesla Model S
MSRP	$103,800	$90,115
Engine	Electric	Electric
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Transmission	2-speed automated manual	1-speed direct drive
Power (hp @ rpm)	563	762
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	472	723

When compared to its arch-rival the Tesla Model S, the Porsche Taycan does not fare that well on the power numbers but in terms of practicality, you really don’t use all the massive horse-power all the time. The power is really ample and immediate as per its need. So all points considered, Porsche is really a decent car. 

How Fast is the Taycan?

When pushed to the limits, the Porsche Taycan 4S produces 522 HP off the line and once the inertia is gained, the power is stepped down to 429 HP’s. Although, if you have opted for the bigger battery pack, i.e. 93.4 KWh, then the horsepower exceeds to a staggering 563 HP off the line. The torque generated by the Porsche is 472 lb-ft. All these numbers together make the 4S model do 60 mph from a standstill in about 3.8 seconds. 

However, unlike Tesla or any other EV for that matter, all the power is managed by a new 2-speed transmission which makes the power distribution a lot more efficient and really gives you tingles in your skin once you engage the launch control. 

Models	Porsche Taycan 4S	Tesla Model S
0-60 MPH (sec)	3.8	2.4
Quarter Mile (sec)	N/A	10.69
Top Speed (MPH)	162	155
Engine	Electric Motor	Electric Motor
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A

When compared to the Tesla, the Porsche is undoubtedly slower off the line but the unique 2-speed transmission makes the car pull just effortlessly in the middle range of the rev counter. The good news for the petrolheads is that you really get the feels of a proper Porsche because of the car’s reaction to the throttle. 

Porsche Taycan Braking

The first implication that you face when designing an EV is weight. In order to make the car more hardcore and performance-oriented, the number of batteries also goes up drastically. The more the batteries will be used, the more will be the weight of the car. The Porsche Taycan is no exception when it comes to weight. The beast weighs about 5000 lbs. 

Now to stop all the massive bulk, the Taycan comes as standard with a 6 piston caliper in the front and 4 piston caliper in the rear. You also get a 14.1 inch cast iron discs in the front and 14.09 inch cast iron discs in the rear. Also, in case you like to track your car on a regular basis then you can opt for the carbon-ceramic brakes instead. 

Also, unlike Tesla, the regenerative system works a bit differently in the Taycan. Instead of fitting the regenerative system in the calipers, the system is fitted to the motor and can be adjusted via the MMI system. 

Models	Porsche Taycan 4S	Tesla Model S
Brake Rotors Front (in)	14.1	N/A
Brake Rotors Rear (in)	14.09	N/A
Curb Weight (lbs)	4960	N/A
60-0 MPH (ft)	N/A	N/A

Though the actual stopping distances are not in yet, the brakes do feel really up to the mark and give you immense confidence when pushing the vehicle hard. 

How does the Porsche Taycan handle?

Porsche have always been the pioneers when it comes to handling. Be it their conventional design with the engine in the back or with the new EV design. The battery packs are placed on the floor of the car and the seating has also been lowered to get the best center of gravity. The Taycan also comes equipped with the state of the art suspensions that give you a firm ride while giving you the maximum control on the track. 

The placement of the mass at the lowest point possible makes this car very agile at high speeds. You always feel connected to the road and with the impeccable viewpoints, you never feel out of place. The 4S, unlike the turbo models, comes with 19-inch wheels as standard and because of the bigger rubber, you get a really comfortable ride in the city use as well. 

The Taycan is also blessed with Porsche’s famous 4D chassis control management system that keeps on monitoring the car in real-time. The All-Wheel-Drive system gives you the maximum control and confidence to throw the car at any corner at any speed and you will get out without any trouble. Porsche, therefore, continuing their tradition of best handling cars gives you much more feel than the Tesla. 

The Taycan, just like all Porsches excels in the field of usability in the real world. The new 800V charging setup is first in the industry and is claimed to gain a massive 60 miles of charge in just 5 mins. This attribute of the Taycan gives it a real advantage over its rival, making it one of the best options to go on a long drive. 

Models	Taycan 4S	Tesla Model S
MPGE (City)	N/A	373
MPGE (Highway)	N/A	279
MPGE (Combined)	N/A	N/A
Range (mi)	N/A	348

The Taycan as claimed by Porsche’s nerds is capable of doing about 280 miles in a single charge but even in the worst-case scenarios like city traffic, it estimates to be good for 225 miles. Though the Tesla, with its extended range pack, gives you many more miles in a single charge, the Porsche really makes you feel much more engaging drive throughout the range. 

As good it looks on the papers for its performance numbers, the Taycan really gives you a very contemporary and fresh feeling as soon as you step inside. The use of buttons on the center console as been minimalized and you will find highly sensitive touch screens all around. However, with all the touch screens and high-tech gadgets that have been traded in with the buttons, you still get the feeling of an authentic Porsche design. You still get the Porsche stopwatch which is a really important part of a Porsche. 

The materials used on the inside are really of high quality and everything feels solid and exceptionally well built. The standard upholstery is made of recycled material which make the Porsche a really eco-friendly car. Although the customers do get to choose between all leather or suede materials. 

Models	Porsche Taycan 4S	Tesla Model S
Seating Capacity	4(+1 optional)	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	N/A	38.8/57.7/42/7
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	N/A	35.3/55.0/35.4

In total, you will find about 3 touch screens for the MMI system. The driver gets a big screen in the instrument cluster, for the center console, you get a big screen in the center of the dash and a screen below that which is used to control mainly the temperature control and the audio system. The use of touch panels instead of button can however be a little annoying when controlling the audio system.

The seats are very comfortable and have a heating option is standard. The EV really does well on the legroom part as there is no conventional engine that may take up space. For the rear seat, the Taycan also has a small trick up its sleeve. In the rear compartment, you will find a division just like a transmission tunnel in conventional cars. This has been done to give you more headroom in the rear as the battery panels have been removed from the floor bed under the seats. 

Some prominent features that you will find on the inside are as follows: 

• Auto-Matic Advanced Climate Control
• Auto-Dimming Interior Rearview Mirror and Digital Compass
• Power Windows with Pinch Protection
• 14 /18(Optional) Way Adjustable front row Seats with narrow headrests.
• Multi-Function Sports and Optional Gt Sports Steering Wheel
• Optional Ambient Lighting Interiors
• Optional dashboard in aluminum, carbon or paleo wood

Infotainment Features

The Porsche Taycan does an amazing job on the infotainment part as well. You get Apple Car Play as standard and the Porsche Communication Management system is as impeccable as always. The company is also giving a free 6-month subscription of Apple Music to its customers that will give you access to over 50 million songs. This is new! 

Some of the most liked features are as follows: 

• Voice Command features (Hey Porsche)
• Apple Car Play
• Porsche Connect Feature (Function On-Demand)
• Navigation Plus feature with real-time Traffic on Road.
• Route Monitor with Optimal Data Usage 
• Bluetooth Telephonic and Audio Connect feature
• Rearview Camera with Bird View Angle

How does the Taycan do on Cargo space?

With a total luggage capacity of 447 liters, 81 in the front and 336 in the rear makes up a really practical vehicle for long family hauling. Moreover, the Taycan also gets 60:40 split seats which makes it even more practical. 

Models	Porsche Taycan 4S	Tesla Model S
Cargo Space (ft3)	15.7	30.0

As compared to the Tesla, the Taycan might not look much but considering all the points, the German is surely a very fun and practical car.

Being a totally new car, the Taycan does get a very new refreshing look though you can still trace some cues back to the Porsche Panamera. The car rides low and with a drag coefficient of 0.22, the Taycan is the most aerodynamic car in the Porsche line-up. The new headlamps with the 4 point LED lights give it a really aggressive look. 

With the new aggressive looks and the new body style, the Taycan really is a head-turner. The trunk also gets the new rear LED design where its starts from one end till the other end which actually looks brilliant. 

Models	Porsche Taycan 4S	Tesla Model S
Curb Weight (lbs)	4960	N/A
Length (in)	195.4	196.0
Width (in)	77.4	77.3
Height (in)	54.4	56.8
Ground Clearance (in)	N/A	4.6
Wheelbase (in)	114.2	116.5

You also get a charging port on either side. And they are just not any fuel doors. They are motion-detecting doors. Though it’s just a gimmick it sure looks cool! 

The Germans have always been very particular about the safety aspects of their cars. The Taycan is no exception in that matter. Here are a few safety features that might catch your eye: 

• Front Row Airbags / Side Impact /Side Curtain / Knee Protection 
• Occupancy Sensor
• Traction Control
• Stolen Vehicle Tracking
• Height Adjustable Safety Belts
• Seatbelt pre-tensioners
• LED DRLs
• Parking Assist
• Panic alarm
• Rare Child Safety Door Locks
• Content theft-deterrent alarm system
• Remote Ignition Disable
• Lane Departure
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• ABS with EBD
• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-keeping assistance
• Available blind-spot monitoring

Which is Better: Porsche Taycan Vs Tesla Model S

When we compare the Model S and the Taycan, these two EV’s might look almost same technically but when it comes to experience, both the cars actually belong to two different worlds. The driving experience are far apart from each other. The Tesla is more like a sleeper car that would look really elegant but just bring anything in straight-line drag, it will literally eat it chew it and spit it out. Whereas the Porsche brings in a very different experience. It is closer to how a conventional car can become an electric without losing the panache of the combustion engine. 

The Taycan is an exceptional car. It marks the very beginning of Porsche into the new fast-growing world and a very bold statement to other automotive giants that Porsche is not only about 911’s. The Taycan is a bit expensive to behold but if you want an electric car that gives you fizz just like a combustion engine, the new Taycan is the one that you can actually consider.