The story of Taycan
Porsche Taycan had its first debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The full production-ready Taycan was revealed in 2019, and by the end of 2020, it has sold more than 20,000 vehicles, representing 7.4% of the total Porsche volume. Taycan represents a different breed of cars, merging sporty performances with utmost cabin luxury. There was some skepticism in regards to Porsche’s first EV. But looking at its sales in the last quarter, despite the high price of over $80,000, it was the 4th most sold vehicle from the Volkswagen Group.
The styling of the Taycan is largely influenced by Porsche’s initial Mission E concept, developed by Mitja Borkert who is currently the head of design at Lamborghini. A retractable rear spoiler, innovative regenerative braking system, and Tesla-style retracting door handles are among the features.
It combines the fundamental short-nosed proportions of traditional Porsche models at the front with the stretched proportions of modern front-engined models towards the back, providing clear design links to existing models while taking full advantage of the packaging advantages inherent in its drivetrain layout.
What’s Cross Turismo then?
The standard Taycan sedan has a single electric motor and is rear-wheel drive, while the entry-level Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo has two motors and is effectively a detuned version of the dual-motor 4S.
It is a modified, lifted, crossover SUV-inspired vehicle. The biggest difference is a new driving option on the center console called “Gravel,” which reprograms the traction control and four-wheel-drive systems to improve grip on slick and uneven roads. An off-road kit will be available for customers who want a bit more capability on the rough stuff, which includes raising the basic air suspension by 30mm. There is also a little more cargo space, at the expense of more weight. As the standard Taycan, Cross Turismo is offered in 4 variants. Check the table below to see some of the performance metrics.
| model | horsepower | 0-100km/h | peak output (Nm) |
| 4 Cross Turismo | 375 | 5.1 seconds | 499 Nm |
| 4S Cross Turismo | 482 | 4.1 seconds | 649 Nm |
| Turbo Cross Turismo | 616 | 3.3 seconds | 849 Nm |
| Turbo S Cross Turismo | 616 | 2.9 seconds | 1,049 Nm |
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo wagon is here, and even though it’s pretty much exactly what we expected, it isn’t any less cool. Previewed by 2018’s concept car and lots of recent teasers, the Cross Turismo has a fabulous wagon roofline with a hatchback rear, added practicality and more ground clearance for that all-important crossover vibe while still retaining the Taycan’s superb goodness.” — Roadshow by CNET
Dimensions and Design
Cross Turismo is around 250kg heavier than the regular model at 2,320 kg (5,110lbs), depending on the battery package (Taycan Performance is at 2,050kg, Taycan Performance Plus is at 2,130kg). It’s got a length of 4,974 mm (195.8 in), a wheelbase of 2,904 mm (114.3 in), and a height of 1,409 mm (55.4 in), just 14 mm taller than the regular model. Ground clearance for the Cross Turismo is 20mm higher, than that of a sedan.
Due to its design, boot space has also been improved with a capacity of 530 liters – that’s 446 liters in the back and 84 liters in the “frunk”. This is certainly not one of the strengths of the car, especially not when compared to the 800+ liters of Tesla Model S. But keep in mind that Porsche never intended for this car to be a regular family crossover.
The design of the rear is by far our favorite, featuring the iconic Porsche flyline with refined side skirts and a slatted rear diffuser. It’s packing a lot of muscle, yet the elegant details are what make it stand out.
Interior
The revolutionary instrument cluster has a curved 16.8-inch screen with Porsche’s signature rounded appearance. A cowl has been added, giving the device a thin and futuristic design similar to that of high-end smartphones and tablets. The steering wheel has a light design and is available in two models: a basic version that may be customized with colored inlays as part of the accent package, and a GT sports steering wheel. It has a striking appearance with exposed screw heads and a traditional Porsche circular mode switch for selecting the various driving modes.
The dashboard’s wing-shaped top and lower parts span the whole width of the vehicle. A 10.9-inch infotainment display in the center and an optional passenger display are merged to form an integrated glass band with a black-panel appearance that blends in with the interior. Under that screen, you have another 8.4-inch display where you can control climate settings. And then, just in case it doesn’t feel premium enough, there’s a clock/compass gadget over the main infotainment screen, reminding you that you’re driving in a Porsche.
A lot of physical buttons and switches have been reduced, allowing the user to rely on Porsche’s intelligent and intuitive system – a combination of touch screen operations with a voice control function, that responds once you say “Hey Porsche”.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo offers a range of configurations, from classic leather to sustainably manufactured Club Leather OLEA. If that is not your cup of tea, you can opt for a fully leather-free interior with surface textures Race-Tex material. The Centre console and door materials include either wood, matt carbon, embossed aluminum or fabric.
Drive modes and innovations
When it comes to the driving experience, Taycan incorporated the same philosophy, as we have seen in some models earlier. Naturally, this is one of the reasons what makes their vehicles so fun to drive. You can switch between four driving modes: Range, Normal, Sport and Sport plus. There is also a function of “Individual” mode, where you can save your favorite settings.
- Range: this mode prioritizes efficiency at the expense of the performance. Air flaps,chassis height(-20 millimetres) and rear spoiler are all set to the minimum drag. All-wheel distribution of power is balanced, and the top speed is limited between 90 and 140km/h.
- Normal: The Taycan’s power output is linear in its most basic configuration. Only when necessary, the cooling air flaps are opened, the rear spoiler is adjusted according to speed, and the chassis is lowered as needed.
- Sport: The all-wheel drive system switches to a rear-biased distribution and is adjusted dynamically. The cooling and heating strategy of the battery is optimized for performance. The cooling air flaps are thermally regulated based on the needed cooling capacity, and the adaptive cruise control is more zestful.
- Sport Plus: Driver requests are implemented dinamically. The cooling air flaps are opened, the chassis permanently remains in the lowest position. Everything screams power!
Intelligent Technology
The 4D Chassis Control calculates the status of the vehicle based on the data taken from the real world, analyzing the vehicle in all dimensions (longitudinal, lateral and vertical acceleration).
The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic shock absorber control system is
included as a standard feature, and it responds to different road surface conditions, constantly adjusting the vehicle for the best performance.
Adaptive air suspension, that adjusts based on the speed or situation on the road. For example, when the car goes over 90 km/h, it is lowered by ten millimeters.
Tweaks
The Taycan has the best drag coefficient of any other Porsche, with a Cd value of 0.22. Because the Cross Turismo is a bit higher and somewhat redesigned, its drag coefficient is somewhere between 0.25 to 0.27. This also means that its range is lower. Air curtains are one of the aerodynamic measures: the headlights appear to float within wide air inlets that channel the air over the front tire housings like a curtain. This decreases turbulence as well as air resistance when paired with the aerodynamically optimized wheels.
We’re all aware of the fact that electric vehicles are super quiet. Because some consumers would be unfamiliar with quiet acceleration, the company is offering an optional sound-maker to give the Taycan a sci-fi spacecraft sonic character.
Price and Verdict
Both Porsche Taycan and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo are offered in 4 variants. Check the table below to see the prices.
| model | horsepower | price (in $) |
| Cross Turismo 4 | 375 | 90,000 |
| Cross Turismo 4S | 482 | 110,300 |
| Cross Turismo Turbo | 616 | 153,500 |
| Cross Turismo Turbo S | 616 | 187,600 |
There are two automobiles with the essence of Porsche that reflect the future. The Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo. Timeless, uncomplicated, and instantly recognizable are the three design attributes that characterize every Porsche, including the Taycan.
The base Porsche Taycan received the same five-star rating from Euro NCAP as its nearest competitor, the Model S, in terms of crash protection. Whiplash protection for adults in the front or rear seats, on the other hand, was determined to be negligible, which is unsatisfactory.
With zero emissions, supercar performance, and off-road capability, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is the ultimate do-it-all vehicle.
