Hint: it’s impressive.
Finally, after learning more about the 2020 Porsche Taycan including its charging system, it’s time. Now, Alex Dykes from Alex on Autos is on special assignment for TFLcar, and is taking the Taycan on the most hallowed highway in the world: the German Autobahn. The goal? Simply to see how fast Porsche’s first electric car can run flat out. Now, Porsche says the Taycan Turbo can hit 161 mph, or about 260 km/h. Will it actually run faster than that on one of the fastest highways on Earth?
Before Alex can make the actual speed run, there are a few issues to address. The first is traffic. While you can technically drive as fast as you’d like on certain sections of the Autobahn (more on that shortly), it may be impossible in built-up areas. Fortunately, the Germans practice lane discipline much better than American drivers. Given the Taycan Turbo S’ 750 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, that’s welcome news. Under normal conditions without launch control, the Porsche Taycan still has a blistering 616 horsepower.
Then, there’s the problem that the entire Autobahn is not de-restricted. Instead, there are speed limits in some areas. On the “as fast as you like” bits, there is a blanket 130 km/h recommended speed. Even so, with the traffic clear and the speed limits nowhere in sight, how fast can the Taycan Turbo S run in the real world?
A few quick runs — up to 244 km/h or 152 mph — do show some promise. The problem with running flat-out on the Autobahn, as you may expect, is economy. Even after a short blast, the Taycan sucks down its battery capacity. Fortunately, the car can charge up at 250 kW, making it one of the fastest-charging EVs that will be on sale in America.
The top speed is…
Finally, after an hour-long charging session, we managed a top speed run. Alex clocked an impressive 167.5 mph (268 km/h), which is about seven miles per hour above Porsche’s own claimed top speed. The car remained stable, even at high speeds, showing that the Taycan is just as solid as its conventional stablemates on the Autobahn.
Apart from the sheer acceleration and speed, the 2020 Porsche Taycan has plenty of technology at play. This is the brand’s first electric car, after all. There are no less than five individual screens in the car, as well as multiple drive modes to suit the driver’s needs. Whether that’s comfort or speed with the Sport Plus setting, the Taycan can set itself up to be a sporty drive as well as a daily driver.
As you’d expect, the instrument cluster and infotainment displays are entirely configurable. Check out the video above to see Alex run down all the tech features of the 2020 Porsche Taycan.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more Taycan news, views and real-world reviews.
