Porsche's new fully-electric Taycan sports car undergoes final testing

[FearLess]

From a computer simulation via the test bench to the road Stuttgart. Porsche’s first purely electrically driven sports car, the Taycan, is currently completing its final test drives before it enters series production. In Scandinavia, just a few kilometres away from the Arctic Circle, it is proving its potential in terms of driving dynamics on snow and ice.

At the same time, Porsche engineers are taking advantage of the summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In South Africa, they are conducting performance tests, as well as final adjustments in terms of continuous performance and reproducibility.

In Dubai they are carrying out hot-climate endurance runs and testing battery charging under extreme conditions. The 30 countries across the globe in which these comprehensive tests are being carried out have temperatures that range from minus 35 to plus 50 degree Celsius. 

“After carrying out computer simulations and comprehensive bench tests early on, we have now reached the final phase of this demanding testing programme,” underlines the vice president of the model line, Stefan Weckbach: “Before the Taycan is launched on the market at the end of the year, we will have covered approximately six million kilometres across the globe. We are already very happy with the current status of the vehicles. The Taycan is going to be a true Porsche.” 

Of course, at Porsche, electric cars have to undergo the same rigorous testing programme as sport cars with combustion engines. In addition to displaying superior performance, this always includes proving unrestricted suitability for everyday use in all climate conditions.

The most significant facts from the Taycan testing phase:

• Overall distance covered: Approximately six million kilometres, of which two million were endurance run kilometres

• Countries: A total of 30, including the USA, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Finland

• Temperatures: From minus 35 to plus 50 degree Celsius

• Air humidity: From 20% to 100%

• Altitude: From 85 metres below to 3000 metres above sea level

• Charging cycles: Over 100,000 using various charging technologies across the globe

• Development team: Around 1000 test drivers, technicians and engineers 

Already more than 20 000 prospective buyers

The Porsche Taycan will be introduced in September and will be launched onto the market at the end of the year. Across the globe, there are already more than 20 000 serious prospective buyers. The potential customers have put their names down on an option programme list and made a down payment. 

The Taycan accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in significantly less than 3.5 seconds. It has a range of more than 500 kilometres (according to the NEDC). The 800-V architecture in the vehicle guarantees that the lithium-ion battery can be recharged in just four minutes, providing enough energy to drive 100 kilometres (according to NEDC).