FiestaST
Honorary Master
DRIVEN: Porsche Taycan Turbo S
How much?
Right, to the big question: how much does it cost? Well, while the base 4S starts at a little over R2,5-million and the mid-spec Turbo comes in at nearly R3,5-million, this flagship Turbo S kicks off at a smidgen more than R4,0-million, rendering it the most expensive model in Porsche SA’s current line-up. Were it not for South Africa’s punitive import duties for electric vehicles, it may well have snuck in for less than the 911 Turbo S.
So, now that my brain has settled back into its correct position (and yours has been jarred by that starting price), how would I sum up Porsche’s first all-electric vehicle? Well, the Taycan is nothing short of an astonishing feat of engineering, serving up an entirely fresh flavour of performance to well-heeled South African buyers. I can’t quite decide what describes it best: brutally efficient or efficiently brutal.
Is the broader local market ready for a large-scale, Europe-style switch to EVs? The obvious answer is no, chiefly thanks to infrastructure (including power grid) issues and cost concerns. But that’s of little concern to the Taycan. And, should you have the means, that certainly shouldn’t stop you from enjoying what is a frankly fantastic piece of kit. Just be prepared to have your grey matter scrambled.
FAST FACTS
Model: Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Price: R4 052 980
Engine: permanent-magnet, synchronous, one per axle
Power: 460 kW (560 kW on overboost) combined
Torque: 1 050 N.m
0-100 km/h: 2,8 seconds
Top Speed: 260 km/h
Energy Consumption: 26,9 kWh/100 km
CO2: 0 g/km
Transmission: 2-speed auto on rear axle; 1-speed on front axle
Maintenance Plan: Three-year/100 000 km
www.carmag.co.za
How much?
Right, to the big question: how much does it cost? Well, while the base 4S starts at a little over R2,5-million and the mid-spec Turbo comes in at nearly R3,5-million, this flagship Turbo S kicks off at a smidgen more than R4,0-million, rendering it the most expensive model in Porsche SA’s current line-up. Were it not for South Africa’s punitive import duties for electric vehicles, it may well have snuck in for less than the 911 Turbo S.
So, now that my brain has settled back into its correct position (and yours has been jarred by that starting price), how would I sum up Porsche’s first all-electric vehicle? Well, the Taycan is nothing short of an astonishing feat of engineering, serving up an entirely fresh flavour of performance to well-heeled South African buyers. I can’t quite decide what describes it best: brutally efficient or efficiently brutal.
Is the broader local market ready for a large-scale, Europe-style switch to EVs? The obvious answer is no, chiefly thanks to infrastructure (including power grid) issues and cost concerns. But that’s of little concern to the Taycan. And, should you have the means, that certainly shouldn’t stop you from enjoying what is a frankly fantastic piece of kit. Just be prepared to have your grey matter scrambled.
FAST FACTS
Model: Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Price: R4 052 980
Engine: permanent-magnet, synchronous, one per axle
Power: 460 kW (560 kW on overboost) combined
Torque: 1 050 N.m
0-100 km/h: 2,8 seconds
Top Speed: 260 km/h
Energy Consumption: 26,9 kWh/100 km
CO2: 0 g/km
Transmission: 2-speed auto on rear axle; 1-speed on front axle
Maintenance Plan: Three-year/100 000 km
DRIVEN: Porsche Taycan Turbo S
It's the most expensive model in Porsche South Africa's current range and its first electric car. We sample the 1 050 N.m Taycan Turbo S on local roads.
www.carmag.co.za
