Electric dreams
Autophiles the world over are holding their breath to see the first of the production models of the fully electric Porsche, now known as the “Taycan”, which already has a global order book close to 30,000.
Photography by Porsche
15 August 2019
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Series production of the first purely electric Porsche, known as “Mission E”, is set to begin in September. In preparation, the vehicle has been given its official name: “Taycan”, meaning “spirited young horse”, referencing the imagery at the heart of the Porsche crest which has featured a leaping steed since 1952.
Composed of two terms of Turkic origin, this word can be roughly translated as “soul of a spirited young horse.” And that’s exactly what the first fully electric Porsche will be: lively, impetuous, vigorous, light-footed on long stretches without tiring, and free-spirited.
The name reflects both the source and the future of the brand: the horse on the Porsche crest, the expression of its soul, on its way into a new era of the sports car. A perfect fit, too, with the tagline of the advertising campaign: “Soul, electrified.”
Taycan also has positive associations in many of the world’s languages: in Japanese, for instance, taikan means roughly “physical experience”, or driving in its most electrifying form.
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Porsche ensures vehicle names have a concrete connection with the corresponding model and its characteristics: The name Boxster describes the combination of the boxer engine and roadster design; Cayenne denotes fieriness, the Cayman is incisive and agile, and the Panamera offers more than a standard Gran Turismo, which is what allowed it to win the Carrera Panamericana long-distance race.
The name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger, with connotations of suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics.
The German automaker mentioned at the Geneva International Motor Show in March that more than 20,000 people around the world had already placed a deposit for the Taycan. This was despite the electric car’s final design and price still being unknown.
Interest in the vehicle prompted the automaker to double its planned annual production to 40,000 in its first year. Reservations require a €2,500 deposit (US$2,785).
“Our new electric sports car is strong and dependable; it’s a vehicle that can consistently cover long distances and that epitomises freedom,” explained Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.
The Taycan’s chief engineer, Stefan Weckback said “We wanted the Taycan to be a true Porsche. That means it must be a maximum performer under every circumstance for as long as the driver demands it.”
Two permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM) with a system output of over 600 hp (440 kW) accelerate the electric sports car to 100 km/h in well under 3.5 seconds and to 200 km/h in under twelve seconds.
This performance is in addition to a continuous power level that is unprecedented among electric vehicles: Multiple jump starts are possible in succession without loss of performance, and the vehicle’s maximum range is over 500 km in accordance with the NEDC.
Porsche plans to invest more than six billion Euro in electromobility by 2022, doubling the expenditure that the company had originally planned.
Of the additional three billion euro, some 500 million euro will be used for the development of Taycan variants and derivatives, around one billion euro for electrification and hybridisation of the existing product range, several hundred million for the expansion of production sites, plus around 700 million euro for new technologies, charging infrastructure and smart mobility.
The Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen will be upgraded to comprise a new paint shop, dedicated assembly area for the Taycan and a conveyor bridge for transporting the painted bodies and drive units to the final assembly area are currently being constructed.
The existing engine plant is being expanded to manufacture electric drives and the body shop will also be developed. Investment is also planned for the Weissach Development Centre. Production of the Taycan is creating around 1,200 new jobs in Zuffenhausen alone.
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Fine fleet, fine forecast
