Porsche Taycan review

I’ll get to why in a minute, but for now be advised that rear-mounted motor produces four different outputs. It’s 302bhp as standard, 375bhp if you fit the Performance Battery Plus and 402bhp and 469bhp respectively if you use launch control, which you won’t unless you’re Porsche recording 0-62mph times. Without it, I doubt it would get under six seconds for the run. Which isn’t very fast for an electric car, which is usually what they do best.

Ah, the bore will say, but it’s 90kg lighter, surely the handling is improved? Not so much. It is a little lighter on its toes, but this is still a 2130kg car, so only four per cent less hefty. If it was transformed by the loss of four-wheel drive like a 911, that would be different. But it isn’t. And you don’t get a bigger front boot where the electric motor was, so it’s no more practical. Yes it’ll go 11 miles further on a charge, which is useful, but scarcely game changing.

There is, of course, one compelling reason to buy this car: it’s nearly £13,000 cheaper than a 4S. For private buyers, that’s significant and if you simply love the idea of an electric Porsche it will not disappoint, for the Taycan – any Taycan – remains sector defining. But the 4S is worth the extra for the all-wheel drive versatility and performance commensurate with its price and positioning. It is that, and not this, that remains the world’s best electric car.

Porsche Taycan (Performance Battery Plus)

Engine: rear electric motor, 87.3kWh battery
Transmission: two-speed, rear-wheel drive
Power: 375bhp (469bhp in launch control)
Torque: 484lb ft
Weight: 2130kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 176bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 143mph

Range: 253 miles (WLTP)
Price: £74,739 (Performance Battery Plus)

Ti rating: 8/10