Key Changes in the New Model

It’s still fresh in our minds that Porsche announced the new Taycan with significant improvements.

The main upgrades include increased power, enhanced charging performance, and extended driving range. Mike Mienkotter, Porsche’s spokesperson for the Taycan and Panamera, told Australian media that some of these improvements might be offered to existing Taycan owners through software updates.

That said, Porsche is still reviewing which features can be rolled out to existing models. Since some changes involve hardware, no decision has been made yet on whether updates will be provided to current customers.

Battery Pack Improvements

The biggest change for the 2024 Taycan model is the adoption of a higher-density, lighter battery pack. The base rear-wheel-drive model’s capacity has increased from 79kWh to 89kWh, while the 4S grade and above have gone from 93kWh to 105kWh. Additionally, a new carbon fiber composite shield has been introduced, reducing weight by 9kg.

Along with this, improved aerodynamics have extended the driving range by up to 200km on a single charge for some variants. The new Taycan can now travel up to 678km (WLTP) on one charge, a significant jump from the previous model’s maximum range of 420km.

Power Boost and New Features

The 2024 Taycan is more powerful compared to previous models. Output has increased by 20 to 110kW depending on the variant. Furthermore, models equipped with the Sport Chrono Package and Performance Battery Plus feature a new “Push-to-Pass” function that temporarily releases an additional 70kW during overtaking. This is similar to the sports response button found on the steering wheel of traditional engine cars, allowing instant maximum output.

However, these power-related upgrades cannot be offered to existing Taycan owners due to the need for costly component removal and installation. Other updates are still under consideration.

Improved Charging Performance and New Display Features

The 2024 Taycan’s battery thermal management system has also been improved. It now supports a maximum charging speed of 320kW at 15°C and can maintain this speed for longer periods. This is an upgrade from the previous model’s peak charging speed of 270kW at 35°C.

Thanks to this, charging from 10% to 80% battery capacity has been reduced from 21.5 minutes to 18 minutes.

Additionally, a new charging screen has been added to the digital instrument cluster, showing the battery’s current charge level, temperature, and maximum charging power. This new display feature might also be implemented in older Taycan models.

However, Porsche representatives emphasize that these updates are not guaranteed for older Taycans and remain under consideration. Certification issues in some markets mean Porsche cannot simply claim “faster charging is now possible.”

For existing Taycan owners, there is hope that some of the improvements introduced in the 2024 model may be applied to their cars. While major upgrades involving hardware changes seem unlikely, software updates adding or improving functions are becoming standard in the EV world. As a Taycan owner myself, I’m eagerly watching for Porsche’s announcements on whether they will offer these updates.