Everything You Need To Know About Taycan Tech

Brendan McAleer September 7, 2023

SHARP & Porsche Canada

As Porsche’s flagship EV, the Taycan finds itself at the cutting edge of technology. It’s packed with systems that keep you safer and more comfortable, while also allowing for performance that pins your ears back, on demand. Here’s a breakdown on some of the behind-the-scenes Taycan tech you need in your life.

My Porsche and Porsche Connect

First up is technology you won’t find in the car itself, but in your own pocket. Porsches have always fostered a connection between driver and machine, and in this case, there’s a literal digital link for you and your Taycan. The My Porsche app syncs up to let you check in on charging status, remotely control cabin temperature, and keep track of data from trips. You can even use it to find your car if you can’t remember where you parked.

Porsche Connect, available through the My Porsche app, also contains features you can use in car. The Voice Pilot voice command system allows for button-free navigation or audio control. Navigation systems are also optimized to deal with changing traffic situations or charging requirements.

800V Electrical System

At roughly double the voltage of the average EV, the Taycan’s systems crackle with power. In typical Porsche fashion, the technology is bred from racing; it’s the same as found in the three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winning 919 Hybrid.

The performance figures speak for themselves, with the quickest Taycan Turbo S models capable of 750 hp in overboost mode, and 0-100 km/h in 2.8s. But success in endurance racing is also about shortening your pit stops, and Porsche’s 800V system lends itself to greatly shortened charging times. On a DC fast charger, the Taycan can sustain up to 270kW of power, adding 100 kms of range in just five minutes, or from 5% to 80% battery charge in 22.5 minutes. Grab a coffee, answer a few emails, and you’re back in the race.

Twin Electric Charging Ports

Sometimes the simplest solutions are key to daily livability. Because most Taycan owners will charge at home, Porsche’s engineers made sure to equip the car with dual charging ports, one on each side of the car. The right hand one is for DC fast chargers, but both left and right can hook up to your home system. No need to always back in.

Active Aerodynamics

The Taycan looks slippery because it is: with a drag coefficient of just 0.22C_d, it cuts through the air more effortlessly than any other Porsche model. The tapered shape and completely flat underbody contribute greatly, but the Taycan also has an ace up its sleeve with Porsche Active Aerodynamics. Cooling flaps at the front can direct air to brakes and radiators when extra cooling is required – on a racetrack, for instance – or close for extra-efficient cruising when not needed. Less drag, more range.

Digital Cockpit

From its earliest models, Porsches have always offered clear, uncluttered instrumentation. The Taycan replaces traditional round analogue gauges with a curved sweep of high-resolution 16.8-inch screen, but it can still be configured to be all-business. Four modes are available, from a full map screen for urban navigation, to a Power mode that’s more like old-school Porsche, just with a central power meter rather than a tachometer. There’s also an optional heads-up display.

The 10.9-inch infotainment screen features all-business high definition black and white icons, letting you keep your eyes on the road. Below, an 8.4-inch touchscreen offers haptic feedback, for climate control functions. As mentioned, the driver can also just use voice commands by starting with, “Hey, Porsche.”

Variable Light Control Roof

The seven-layer panoramic roof available for all Taycan models allows for full driver control when letting light into the cabin. Opaque when unpowered, it defaults to the last setting on startup and can be set to various translucencies with the push of a button. As you might expect from a Porsche-engineered device, it’s also lighter than a conventional glass roof, saving weight and slightly lowering the Taycan’s centre of gravity.

Adaptive Air Suspension and Anti-roll Bars

Getting the balance right between agile handling and a supple ride is tricky, especially when driver demands vary day-to-day. The Taycan adapts to requirements with a three-chamber adaptive air suspension that can firm up instantly for sporty driving or float over broken pavement. It’s also capable of a 20mm lift when navigating steep parking ramps and the like. At speed, the suspension lowers by 10-22 mm for greater stability. 

The Taycan also features electrically adaptive anti-roll bars that react to conditions in as little as 200 milliseconds. Together, the systems allow the Taycan to corner flat and fast through the sweepers.

Porsche Torque Vectoring and Rear Axle Steering

For even greater agility, the Taycan features a couple of trick technologies on its rear axle. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus utilizes a locking rear differential to brake the inner wheel while cornering, helping the Taycan tuck into the corner. It’ll also lock up for maximum traction accelerating at exit.

Rear Axle Steering – optional, but standard on the Turbo S – helps the Taycan pivot like a shorter car in tight turns. It’s also more stable at speed, and cuts the total turning circle while parking by 50 cm.