FIRST DRIVE: Porsche Taycan – INSANELY FAST EV!

The Porsche Taycan is absolutely insane. Even the 4S version I drove with “only” 500 hp when not in launch control had ample power, and pin-you-back-in-your-seat torque. Around the high speed bowl at Millbrook, even at 100 mph the Taycan gently wafted over the bumpy surface with ease. Through the twisty hill route?

To be more specific, the Taycan 4S offers 571 PS when in launch control, or 490 PS with the “Performance Battery Plus” – and what’s crazy is that isn’t even close to the limit of this platform. You get over 600 Nm of torque in launch control too, so it really does melt your face with a stamp of the throttle. You do have to pay for all that power though, to the tune of £84,000 before options. Not for the everyman then.

That’s a shame, because while everyone does get to enjoy the exterior with it’s sleek curves and swooping roof line, they won’t experience the impressive amount of luxury inside. The steering wheel is all alcantara, the seats are leather and you have not one, not two, not even three, but four total high resolution displays in the cockpit. You’ve got the curved instrument cluster display which is fully configurable, meaning you can have it set up to thrash around the track, or more range and efficiency focused with maps for a longer journey. You’ve got one central, vertical display for your heater controls, another for the infotainment and a fourth optional one in front of the passenger seat as an extension to the infotainment system.

Ride quality is phenomenal. The air suspension that comes as standard is adjustable depending on the drive mode. On the hill route at Millbrook there is a lane full of bumps that would normally rattle your teeth out. In the Taycan? I didn’t feel them. You can hear the tyres slapping them, but none of that movement is transmitted to the cabin. It still offers fairly little in the way of body roll, but it’s compliant and comfortable, a feature you’d want in this style of vehicle.

Range, again for the bigger battery option, is quoted as anywhere from 242 – 326 miles depending on your usage. I didn’t get much time with the car so I can’t comment from my own experience, but having reviewed other EVs the range estimates are normally a little optimistic. Interestingly though, up to 0.4g of braking is done exclusively through the motors thanks to the e-pedal, you still press the brake, but the car will work out how to get the most energy back as possible while still delivering the same brake feeling to you.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Taycan. It’s an impressive machine, a lot of clever tech, and an immense amount of power. Would I have one? Yes. It’d be the cross turismo, but who wouldn’t say no to one of these? Would I buy one? Ask me when I can actually afford it…