Porsche is a name that's long been at the forefront of automotive engineering. Performance. Build Quality. Refinement. Porsche pretty much sets the benchmark. So, given the industry is now moving away from combustion engines towards cleaner, electric-powered cars, it comes as no surprise that the company is paving the way here, either.
The car we're talking about is, of course, the Porsche Taycan, but more specifically, the Turbo S variant. It is, according to many sources, a car that's regarded as the best driving electric vehicle ever made — one that's truly groundbreaking and shows us a future that can be both greener and exciting. Not only is it brilliant to look at, but Porsche — just as you'd expect from the company — has ensured every minute detail is covered when it comes to performance, meaning it drives really well, too.
On that note, then, let's take a look at what makes all of this possible and see what the Porsche Taycan Turbo S' best feature is.
A Look At The History Behind The Porsche Taycan Turbo S
The Porsche Taycan may well have been the first all-electric vehicle to be developed by Porsche, but its origins didn't just come out of nowhere. Rather, the company and its heritage are deeply embedded in the use of electric technology. According to Porsche, its company founder — Ferdinand Porsche — had been working with electric-powered cars as far back as 1898. The world's first working hybrid car was developed by Porsche in 1900, as well, named the Semper Vivus, which used a combustion engine to drive a generator and thus supply its wheels with electrical energy.
This, however, was somewhat shortlived since the infrastructure capacity wasn't there, and the short range of the car meant electromobility just didn't seem viable. Fast-forward to over a century later, and Porsche's use of hybrid technology would really come into effect, with everything from hypercars like the 918 Spyder to luxury sedans such as the Panamera.
It also transferred over to the racetracks, as well — as you would expect with Porsche — with the company sending its 911 GT3 R Hybrid to the Nürburgring in 2010. So, what was more than clear, then, was that Porsche really knew what it was doing when it came to electric technology, and that expertise was really turned up a notch when the all-electric Taycan debuted in 2019.
Here's Why The Powertrain Is The Best Feature Of The Porsche Taycan Turbo S
In terms of looking at the best feature of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, there are quite a few options to choose from. It's styling, for instance, is a very strong point, with a look that's contemporary but also quintessentially Porsche. Or you could look at its interior, perhaps, given it's often described as both tech-heavy and minimalist. But, because of the sheer speed of the Taycan Turbo S and how composed and brilliant it is to drive, its powertrain makes a strong claim for its best feature.
According to Porsche, the Taycan Turbo S comes with two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the back, making the car all-wheel drive. One of the special features which allows the motors to generate so much power is hairpin winding. Essentially, the coils of the stator are hairpin-like in shape — hence the name — which allows them to be packed more densely and, ultimately, increase power output. Not only this but they can be cooled much more efficiently, too.
Its motors are controlled using pulse-controlled inverters, as well, which are mounted on each drive module on both the front and rear axles. The direct current supplied by the Performance Battery Plus is converted by these into the alternating current required to drive the electric motors, and the opposite happens during braking, where the alternating current is converted into the direct current to charge the battery. It's all very complex and technical, but this level of attention to detail is why the Taycan Turbo S can move the way it does.
Its pair of dual motors produce 761 PS, or 560 KW, in Sport + mode, while outside of that, you're looking at 625 PS. Torque figures are just as staggering, too, with the Taycan Turbo S developing an earth-moving 774 lb-ft of torque. According to Goodwood, power is routed via a single-gear transmission at the front and a two-speed one at the back.
Performance figures, as you'd expect, are strong. Very, very strong, in fact. Try 0-62 MPH in 2.8 seconds, 0-99 MPH in 6.1 seconds and 0-124 MPH in 9.6 seconds. Mid-range acceleration is blistering, as well, with the Turbo S moving from 49-74 MPH in 1.7 seconds. Those are some serious, supercar-embarrassing figures and the reason why the Porsche Taycan Turbo S is rightly credited as groundbreaking.