Porsche confirms New Zealand Taycan pricing

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Is the Porsche Taycan Turbo S the ultimate EV? Let's take a closer look.

Porsche New Zealand has confirmed local pricing and specification levels for the all-electric Taycan, due here later this year.

The models available include the base (for now) Taycan 4S, priced from $203,900. The next step up is the Taycan Turbo is priced from $289,900 while the big daddy Taycan Turbo S starts at $366,900.

That puts the Taycan in a broadly similar price segment with equivalent Panamera models. The Panamera 4S starts at $286,400 and the Turbo $359,300. There isn't a Panamera Turbo S but the Turbo S E-Hybrid kicks off at $429,100.

Local buyers will get three variants to choose from, ranging from the entry 4S to the big daddy Turbo S.

Judging by the pricing, it looks like Porsche has left some gaps for future models to fill, like the 2S and GTS variants. There's no official word on the 2S nomenclature but Porsche has confirmed it is planning some entry level models that look set to drop the sticker price below the $200k mark.

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Standard kit is good too, with all three models getting a decent driver assist package out of the gate.

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If you've been following the Taycan, you'll know the Turbo S is the one to get for outright performance. It packs 560kW of peak power and 1050Nm of twist into two electric motors (one per axle), allowing for a jump to 100kmh in just 2.8 seconds.

A two-speed gearbox at the rear allows for maximum straight line velocity, though you'll need a sizeable runway to hit the 260kmh claimed top speed. Range is a claimed 405km.

Stepping down to the Turbo non-S, buyers will get a sizeable 500kW/850Nm, enough to sprint to 100kmh in 3.2 seconds. The drop in output is balanced by an increase in range, to 450km, helped by the same trick two-speed transmission as the Turbo S.

Finally, the 4S will come in regular and Performance Battery Plus flavours, the latter being an optional package for 4S buyers. As the name indicates, the 4S is all-wheel drive, like the other two, and offers 390kW/640Nm. Hitting 100kmh takes four seconds flat.

Porsche hasn't said how much the Performance Battery Plus package will cost but ticking that box boosts battery capacity from 79kWh to 93kWh, the same pack found in the Turbo twins. Range appropriately jumps from 365km to 414km while power goes up to 420kW.

New Zealand models gain a range of standard equipment in addition to worldwide standard specifications.

All three model grades will be equipped with surround view, comfort access, lane change assist, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, front seat ventilation, steering wheel heating and privacy glazing.

Additional New Zealand standard equipment for the Taycan 4S includes 20-inch Taycan Sport Aero wheels, metallic paint, front seat heating, 14-way electric comfort seats, auto-dimming mirrors as well as the Bose audio system.

Furthermore, the Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S will also gain driving dynamic and comfort features like Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), four-zone advanced climate control and ambient lighting.

The first customer deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2020, provided coronavirus doesn't rear its ugly head again, while display models are currently touring Porsche showrooms across the country.