Porsche’s First EV Sports Car

In June 2018, Porsche announced the name of its first electric vehicle as the Taycan. At that time, it was said that production would start in 2019, with the car possibly arriving in Japan in 2020. About six months later, I wanted to see what the current situation surrounding the Taycan was, so I did a bit of research.

The “Mission E” Reveal

The concept car for Porsche’s first 4-door EV sports car, the Mission E, was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015. Later that December, Porsche’s headquarters officially decided to bring the Mission E to production.

Following this, Porsche announced an expansion of its headquarters factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany, to manufacture the Mission E, creating approximately 1,200 new jobs. It was reported that Porsche’s investment in EV development would exceed 6 billion euros.

About three years later, in June 2018, the Mission E was officially named the “Taycan.” The name Taycan is inspired by the image of the prancing horse at the center of the Porsche crest, meaning “a spirited young horse.” The marketing team spent two years checking how the name fit with the existing lineup, its linguistic meanings in various countries, and trademark availability.

Basic Specs of the Taycan

Here are the basic specs of the Taycan known so far:

・The powertrain features two electric motors with a combined output exceeding 600 hp, based on the same type used in the 919 Hybrid that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
* In 2017, the 919 Hybrid recorded a lap time of 8 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Porsche aims to set the fastest lap time for a production electric vehicle on this track.
・0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.5 seconds, 0-200 km/h in the 11-second range, with room for further improvements
・A driving range of over 530 km on a single full charge
・An innovative 800V battery system, double the voltage of conventional EVs, enabling a 350 kW fast charger to add 100 km of range in just 4 minutes

The Taycan’s groundbreaking 800V battery system was a crucial development decision because this voltage level significantly impacts the entire EV drivetrain design, from battery and electronics layout to charging capacity.

The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery installed benefits from Porsche’s motorsport experience and continuous innovation in a highly competitive environment. Porsche expects that by the time it enters Formula E in the 2019/2020 season, even more advanced technology will be available.

Additionally, the Taycan will be produced on a new production line unlike any before. Porsche states it will be the first automaker to introduce and use an unmanned transport system in an assembly line. They also pursue environmentally friendly production, aiming to establish a factory with zero environmental impact.

Porsche predicts that more than 50% of its models shipped after 2025 will be electrified.

Talent Development for EVs

To produce the Taycan, Porsche hired 1,200 new employees, marking the largest hiring effort in Porsche’s history. However, the goal of Taycan development and production is to form a healthy team combining experienced sports car manufacturing staff with new hires. Not all 1,200 new employees will work on the Taycan; some will be involved in producing two-door sports cars.

Porsche also conducts extensive training at a specially built production hall in Zuffenhausen. It offers over 1,400 training units for electric vehicle development and a digital learning platform that allows staff to study independently according to their needs.

Charging Infrastructure Development

Because the Taycan’s rapid charging process requires a powerful charging system, Porsche is working with BMW, Daimler, Ford, and Volkswagen in the joint venture “IONITY” to install 400 charging stations across Europe by 2020.

These stations will have a maximum output of 350 kW, allowing a full charge in just 5 to 8 minutes on average. According to a map released by the company in February, the network will cover 19 European countries, from northern Norway to Spain and Italy.

Expected Price Range and Pre-Order Status

Robert Meier, Taycan’s development manager, said the price will be set between the Cayenne and Panamera. Considering the VAT-inclusive prices of these models in Germany, the Taycan is expected to range from €74,828 (about 9.66 million yen) to €90,655 (about 11.7 million yen).

Three grades will be available: Taycan, Taycan 4S, and Taycan Turbo. The top grade is currently the Taycan Turbo, though as an EV, it does not have a turbocharger.

Pre-orders have been very strong, and Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has already announced plans to increase production. Initially, annual Taycan production was planned at 20,000 units, but combined with the Cross Turismo model, this could rise to 30,000 units.

Looking more closely, Porsche’s annual new car sales in Norway, where EV demand is high, were about 600 units. However, immediately after the Taycan pre-order site opened, around 3,000 customers paid deposits. One Norwegian pre-order customer reportedly said they felt their Tesla Model S was too family-oriented and wanted a car more focused on performance, which led them to reserve a Taycan.

Similar reactions have been seen in the U.S., where Porsche USA CEO Klaus Zellmer told CNET that if all pre-order customers buy, the first-year production is already sold out.

What About Japan?

In Japan, the charging infrastructure is not as developed as in Europe, so it may be difficult for the Taycan to be accepted as quickly. However, Teslas are already seen in certain numbers on city streets, so the Taycan will certainly become a rival. It is expected to arrive in Japan around 2020, but it’s unclear how many units will be allocated to each dealer.

If a test drive vehicle becomes available, I would definitely want to try it out.

Article & Image Sources:
＊Porsche’s First EV Sports Car “Taycan” (Mission E)! Exploring Its Full Details!
＊Porsche’s First Electric Vehicle “Taycan” Priced Between Cayenne and Panamera
＊Porsche’s First EV “Taycan” Sells Well; First-Year Production Sold Out if All Pre-Orders Complete
＊Porsche definitively enters the electric era with the Taycan
＊IONITY, the joint venture of BMW and Daimler, installs its first charging station in Germany