By Khulekani Dumisa

The Taycan range has been updated with extended range, improvements in technology and colour option offering.

Improved range

Porsche says the new Taycan model year will not be homologated separately, so there will not be any new WLTP range values. However, the real-world range of the latest versions will be greater in day-to-day use. Extensive technological developments have been implemented to achieve this increase.

In Normal and Range modes, the front electric motor is almost completely decoupled and de-energised in the partial load range in the all-wheel drive models. Furthermore, no drive is transmitted to either axle when the car is coasting or at a standstill. This electric freewheel function reduces drag losses. The motors are switched on again within milliseconds only when the driver requests more power or changes the driving mode.

The thermal management have also been further improved. The waste heat from the electrical components is used to an even greater extent for battery temperature regulation.

Tech upgrades

Android Auto is now also integrated in the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), along with Apple CarPlay support for iPhone. This means that smartphones with the Google Android operating system are now also supported. Selected phone functions and smartphone apps that do not adversely affect driving safety can therefore now be operated via PCM 6.0 or the Google Assistant voice commands.

The layout and operating system have also been revamped slightly: there are now five menu options instead of three on the left side of the central display and the icons can be arranged individually.

Popular colours reintroduced

In the ‘90s, Porsche introduced a number of highly colourful paint finishes to its range which are especially popular today on classics like the 964-generation cars. These colours are now making a comeback. As part of the personalisation strategy of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the Taycan is now also available with Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus in addition to 17 standard paint colours. The first option allows painting with 65 additional colours, at present. This includes the Moonlight Blue Metallic, Acid Green, Rubystar Red, Riviera Blue and Viola Metallic colours that are so characteristic of the brand. Paint to Sample Plus gives customers almost complete freedom in their choice of colour, permitting them to match their Taycan to their favourite accessory.

Porsche Destination Charging

To enhance the ownership experience of the Taycan is the Porsche Destination Charging concept. With this exclusive service, customers can charge their electric or plug-in hybrid Porsche models free of charge at particularly popular destinations. It already offers more than 100 AC charging points in 12 countries across the Middle East, Africa and India, at locations such as selected hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, sports clubs and marinas – and further expansion of the network is in full swing.

Local availability Local arrival of the updated models is yet to be announced.