Key Points: SportDesign Package in Carbon Fibre, Fixed Glass Panoramic Roof, Burmester Sound System.

The Porsche Taycan is an electric saloon and shooting brake, originally unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor as a concept named the Porsche Mission E, with the production version being launched three years later at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. The name "Taycan" roughly translates from the Turkish ‘tay+can’ as "lively young horse", in reference to the steed on the Stuttgart coat of arms and Porsche crest.

The Taycan's interior features Porsche's first fully digital instrumentation system, with up to four digital displays, including a curved, free-standing 16.8-inch configurable driver's display, a 10.9-inch infotainment centre, an optional passenger-side screen, and an 8.4-inch portrait-oriented, touchpad-controlled screen on the centre console, which shows the powertrain's status and efficiency data. In contrast with the all-digital layout, the dashboard top features the classic Porsche chronograph.

The exterior styling, by former Porsche Exterior Designer Mitja Borkert, is strongly influenced by the Mission E concept car. Design features of the Taycan include a retractable rear spoiler, retractable door handles, and an advanced regenerative braking system. Taking full advantage of its drivetrain layout, the Taycan combines the fundamental short-nosed front proportions of traditional Porsches with the stretched proportions of modern front-engine models towards the rear, providing clear design links to existing models. 

The front features four-point LED daytime running headlamps, while the rear has a short notchback-style boot lid, housing a full-width light band serving as taillights and turn signals and providing access to one of two luggage compartments. The other compartment is under the bonnet, with a claimed capacity of nearly 100 litres. 

The Taycan uses a new battery-electric all-wheel-drive drivetrain with a permanent-magnet synchronous motor on each axle. At the front, power is sent to the wheels through a single-speed gearbox, and at the rear, through a two-speed transmission and a limited slip differential. The gearbox has a short planetary first gear providing maximum acceleration, and a long-ratio second gear delivering top speed and efficiency. Power is stored via a 93kWh lithium-ion battery pack that doubles as a structural chassis component, and keeps the centre of gravity low. To increase rear-seat legroom, recesses have been incorporated in the battery pack. 

Porsche named the high performance models ‘Turbo’ and ‘Turbo S’ despite the absence of a turbocharger, following the tradition set by previous Porsche derivatives with internal combustion engines. Currently used as the Formula E safety car, the range-topping Turbo S model produces a mighty 751hp (560kW) and 774 lb ft (1,050Nm) of torque.