With as much as 760 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, the sleek and understated Taycan Turbo S could be called a sleeper. With four-wheel drive and a clever transmission to make the most out of the two electric motors’ output, the Taycan Turbo S is absurdly fast. In fact, it’s now Porsche’s fastest accelerating road car—and it can seat four comfortably for a long haul.
Though there’s constant, continuous, neck-snapping torque, Porsche built a two-speed to suit the car. They wanted to maximize the instantaneous acceleration without sacrificing highway economy. The first of those two is selected with a dog clutch, while the second uses an automated clutch. This means the transition between the two can be made as brutal or as unnoticeable as needed.
And while this 5,100-pound monster can out-accelerate most cars, the Taycan Turbo S was not intended for straightline speed alone. Due to a strong foundation, getting this heavyweight to handle was merely “a calibration exercise,” according to Calvin Kim, Porsche’s Product Spokesman for the Taycan. The rest of the big EV’s roadholding can be attributed to a balanced, rigid chassis.
Though the electric motors add heft, their shape makes it easier to lower the center of gravity. Additionally, the battery pack is a stressed member of the chassis, thereby improving chassis stiffness. High-strength steel and magnesium reinforcements further improve rigidity.
The footwork plays just as big a role. In the case of the Turbo S, the tire—a Goodyear Eagle tire tailored to the load requirements of the car—helps the machine belie its weight. The model-specific 255-width rubber at the front axle and 305-width tires at the rear ensure crisp turn-in and flawless traction. Plus, though the regenerative braking should handle 90% of everyday braking demands, the Turbo S has massive 16.5″ and 16.1″ rotors, front and rear respectively.
These 21-inch rims and larger PCCB brakes are specific to the Turbo S.
Perhaps the best indication of this behemoth’s performance is its Nurburgring laptime. Recently, a Taycan Turbo S rounded the 16.12-mile in 7 minutes, 42 seconds—the same time a 997 GT3 set a little over a decade ago.
How things have progressed.