Porsche Taycan update: longer range, more connectivity

In September, the Porsche Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo enter a new model year - and start with extensive changes. Thanks to technical developments, electric sports cars will offer a greater daily range. Other significant improvements include the comprehensive integration of Android Auto into Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and, for the first time in the Porsche Taycan, Remote Parking Assist.

Porsche Taycan 2021

This new optional assistance system allows you to control the process of parking the car using a smartphone - the driver does not have to be behind the wheel. On the other hand, the new custom and trial paint finishes offer customers an extraordinary custom color choice. The Porsche Taycan can now be painted, for example, in a bright mauve Rubystar from the 90s or a bright acid green.

“The continuous technical development of our vehicles is part of Porsche's DNA. The latest generation Taycan impresses with its intuitive smartphone connectivity, which now includes Android Auto,” said Kevin Geek, who has served as the Taycan's lineup vice president since April. “Our all-electric Taycan range is growing and thriving. The new Cross Turismo, presented in the spring, is very popular with our customers. The high sales figures prove it."

Technical improvements: long range in practice

The Taycan won't be homologated separately for the new model year, so it won't bring any new WLTP range figures. However, in everyday use, the actual range of recent versions will be larger than before. To achieve this increase, a number of technical improvements have been implemented. On all-wheel drive variants in Normal and Range modes, the front electric motor is almost completely switched off and de-energized in the partial load range. In addition, power is not transferred to either axle when the vehicle is rolling or stationary. This "electrical" freewheeling feature reduces drag losses. The engines restart only for milliseconds when the driver needs more power or changes the driving mode.

Temperature management and charging functions have also been improved. Thanks to the turbo charge scheduler, the high-voltage battery can be heated to a slightly higher temperature than before. This means that fast charging is possible earlier and at a higher charge level. In addition, waste heat from electrical components is now used to an even greater extent to regulate battery temperature.

Remote Parking Assistant: parking via smartphone

Thanks to the new Remote Parking Assistant option, you can remotely control parking maneuvers when entering and exiting a parking space using your smartphone without getting behind the wheel. Auto control supports both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces and garages. The system automatically detects parking spaces and measures them using ultrasonic sensors and car cameras. If there is enough space, the driver can start the parking process via the Porsche Connect app and then get out of the car. At the same time, he must constantly monitor the parking process by pressing and holding the button in the application interface of his smartphone. The Remote Parking Assistant takes over the steering and control of the car's forward and reverse movement on its own. The parking procedure is aborted as soon as the button is released.

Android Auto integrated with infotainment system

The sixth generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) has been installed on the Porsche Taycan since its debut. The all-electric sports car has always been a pioneer in connectivity, starting with the intuitive integration of Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. Now, in addition to Apple CarPlay (for iPhone devices), the Android Auto interface is also integrated with the PCM system, with support for smartphones running the Google Android operating system. In this way, individual functions and applications that do not affect driving safety can be controlled using PCM 6.0 or Google Assistant voice commands.

After the changes, the voice pilot understands commands spoken in everyday language even better. The navigation system calculates routes faster, primarily through online POI search, and displays information more clearly.

The menus and the operating system itself are also slightly redesigned: there are now five menu items on the left side of the central display instead of three, and icons can be arranged separately.

Iconic colors are back: even more custom polishes

In the 1990s, Porsche introduced a range of phenomenal paints to its range that quickly gained cult status among the brand's fans and are especially appreciated today in the case of classics such as the 911 from the 964 series. These eye-catching colors are now back in the Porsche range. In addition to the 17 standard colors, the Taycan is now available in bespoke and trial colors as part of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur's constantly evolving personalization strategy. The first edition includes 65 additional shades, including the signature colors Moonlight Blue Metallic, Acid Green, Rubystar, Riviera Blue and Viola Metallic. Sample paint gives customers almost complete freedom in choosing a shade, allowing even the body shade to match their favorite accessory.

Charging on the go: Porsche's charging service covers almost 200,000 vehicles. charging points

The Porsche Charging Service provides access to charging points from many suppliers around the world, and billing is centrally managed and processed by Porsche. Currently, almost 200,000 charging stations are available to users of the service in more than 20 European countries, including about 6,500 DC charging stations with a capacity of 50 kW or more.

Another convenience is the Porsche Destination Charging service, which allows customers to charge their Porsche electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles for free at particularly popular locations. This service already covers more than 2,000 AC charging points in over 50 countries, in locations such as select hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, sports clubs and marinas, and the network is getting denser. All charging operations within the Porsche Charging Service are carbon neutral.

Taycan is Porsche's bestseller

The Taycan has been particularly successful in recent months. In the first half of 2021, about 20,000 units of the model were delivered - only slightly less than the result for the whole of 2020. Thus, sales of the newest member of the Porsche lineup are comparable to those of an icon among sports cars. , 911.

Change of Porsche Taycan Development Leadership

Since April 2021, Kevin Geek has been the Vice President of the Taycan lineup. He replaced Stefan Weckbach, who is now in charge of the Cayenne product line. Geek has been with Porsche AG for over 18 years and was most recently Head of Purchasing for New Vehicle Development. In this role, the 42-year-old has been involved with the Taycan project since the beginning, as part of a team of 190 people. The tasks set by his team included the purchase of equipment for new installations at the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant. When choosing an employer, Kevin Geek continues the family tradition. As a child, he was able to accompany his father on weekend inspection visits to the Porsche aircraft engine test rigs run by his father. Geek studied at the University of Design, Engineering and Economics in Pforzheim. He is a process engineer.

Taycan models

• Electricity consumption in the combined cycle: 20.4-26.6 kWh/100 km; Combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
• Power reserve on electric traction: 335-484 km; range on electric traction in the city: 382-524 km

Models of Taycan Cross Turismo

• Electricity consumption, mixed: 22.4-26.4 kWh / 100 km; Combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
• Power reserve on electric traction: 388-456 km; range on electric traction in the city: 438-541 km

Photo: Porsche