What is it?
It seems rather bonkers, at least in my mind, that we today find ourselves in a place where a car that can make as much as 563bhp can be considered ‘entry level’.
Ten years ago, you would have had to look to something mid-engined, and preferably Italian, to find those sorts of numbers. And if you wanted that sort of power and seating for four? Well, you’d have to look at the maddest, baddest and most expensive AMG Mercs and RS Audis to find it.
But in the case of this Porsche Taycan 4S, 563bhp is where things get started here in the UK. And for what it’s worth, this £83,367 four-door sports car doesn’t always develop that headline figure.
The junior Taycan’s full 563bhp is available only during launch control starts, and only if you specify the £4613 Performance Battery Plus - which you absolutely should. Not only does the claimed range jump from 257 to 288 miles, but the combined output of its twin electric motors under regular running conditions also increases from 429bhp to 483bhp. Maximum torque, meanwhile, stands at 479lb ft.
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I'd like to know how many miles you can drive with the Taycan 4S, when you want to make a longer journey and cruise on a motorway respecting the speed limit. And how long can e.g. a Tesla?
Why that? If I drive in a so called sporty style, I practically never will make more than 80 or 100 miles - and there the range has a minor importance. But when the target is reaching the holiday destination far away, then the range really is important
Leave those to Boxsters and Caymen and Lotus. Or their future silent faster Electric versions ! For now only the smaller, faster Model 3 will do ...
But wait Tesla don't advertise or invite journos to exotic places for drunken fawning, fossil fueled chats ;-)
Why the incessant complaints about the demise of manual gearboxes in sports cars?
It's childish and boring to want to cling to old technology like that. You will want wind-up windows and string-backed gloves next!
In 90% of driving situations a modern automatic (be it DCT or torque convertor) is quicker, more economical and smoother than a manual and leaves you much less tired after a long drive.
If you really want to intervene, you have the paddles, but with a car of this performance that will be rarely needed and allows you to keep your hands on the wheel for better placement and control.