One of Porsche’s debuts for this year’s LA
Auto Show is the current base-spec version of the Taycan, dubbed the 4S. It costs upwards of US$ 103,800 to
purchase, though if you want the Performance Battery Plus model, the prices
goes up to US$ 110,380. Even so, it’s considerably less than what
you’d be paying for the Taycan Turbo, which starts from US$ 150,000 – and don’t
worry, the 4S is by no means a major compromise, regardless of configuration.
Flooring the throttle in your new Taycan
4S means putting down a peak 522 HP at the very least. That number
goes up to 563 HP with the previously-mentioned Performance Battery
Plus package. Both configurations will help you hit 96 km/h from a
standstill in just 3.8 seconds, which almost begs the question of whether or
not you would even want the more expensive Turbo or Turbo S variant.
While EPA range estimates have yet to be
released, Porsche says the Taycan 4S can travel 405 km in the WLTP
cycle, while the Performance Battery Plus package (270 kW instead of 225 kW)
increases your range to 462 km.
Unlike its flagship spec siblings, the 4S
features aero-optimized 19-inch alloys, as well as black-finished side sills,
rear diffuser and front apron. The interior however is pretty much the same,
featuring a curved digital gauge cluster, 10.9-inch infotainment display and an
optional passenger display. The partial leather upholstery and front comfort
seats with eight-way electric adjustment are both offered as standard.
The top of
the line Tesla Model S Performance is priced from US$ 99,990 (without potential
incentives), and can hit 96 km/h in just 2.4 seconds. On top of that,
it also has an EPA estimated range of 560 km.
The Model S Long Range is however more of
an equivalent to the Taycan 4S in terms of straight line acceleration. It will
hit 60 in 3.7 seconds, yet its range is a staggering 600 km – and
all this for upwards of US$ 79,990, also without incentives.
