Porsche Drops Technical Specs for Electric Taycan

Electric cars are a polarizing matter among automotive enthusiasts. While a small group of ardent EV loyalists exist, a large portion of car people look at them with varying levels of contempt. However, let’s not kid ourselves, electrification is an inevitability. Even if EVs don’t proliferate like rabbits in springtime, standard powertrains will continue to evolve and electric automobiles will account for some of the most extreme performance models on the road.

We’ve already seen what Tesla can do if given enough money. The Model S P100D can already hit 60 mph in just over 2 seconds — putting extravagantly priced, flamboyant supercars to shame.

More vehicles are coming to fit this mold. Porsche has been working on a rival for Tesla’s sedan for a while now, and recently released the specs. While the Germans seem to have developed a strong performer, ready to feed plenty of internal combustion vehicles a crow supper, it doesn’t appear to be quite as fast as Tesla’s best. Either that, or Porsche is downplaying the Taycan’s (formerly the Mission E) technical specifications.

The Taycan will use a pair of permanently synchronous motors, similar to the 919 Hybrid, with one driving each axle. Combined, the system should produce nearly 600 horsepower (440 kW).

“We opted for a permanently excited synchronous motor in the Taycan,” said Heiko Mayer, Porsche’s drive unit project leader. “They combine a high energy density with strong sustained performance and maximum efficiency.”

That places is right next to the Model S in terms of power, though the figures Porsche gave for acceleration fell short by a second or so. According to the manufacturer, the Taycan should launch from a standstill to 62 mph in “well under 3.5 seconds.” Meanwhile, 124 mph (or 200 kph) should take less than 12 seconds.

Since the numbers Porsche provided are benchmarks for the worst-case scenario, we can assume they’ll come down slightly. However, the most expensive Model S still trumps these figures. Its acceleration in Ludicrous Mode is blistering and can comfortably sweep past 124 mph in about 11 seconds. But that doesn’t mean Porsche failed.

Most likely, the German manufacturer will unveil a high-performance model later in the Taycan’s life. While the automaker has confirmed no such vehicle, having a tamer, more cost-effective model makes sense. Believe it or not, Porsche cares about volume.

The Taycan’s battery pack should be good for a range of 310 miles, but it’s the charging system that has us the most impressed. By taking advantage of the vehicle’s 800-volt system, the vehicle is capable of charging stupidly fast. According to the manufacturer, a depleted pack can take on enough energy to cover 248 miles in only 15 minutes. That’s exceptional, assuming you can find an outlet able to handle that kind of current.

Porsche also claims it’s testing the crap out of these vehicles, saying that it has already produced “three figures” worth of prototypes overseen by 40 specialists. The company is shipping them all over the globe to abuse them and ensure an unparalleled level of reliability — which will be further helped by a $7 billion investment into “electromobility” through 2022.

[Images: Porsche]