2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo launches as the rugged, practical EV
Porsche has pulled the wraps off the Taycan Cross Turismo range, and to no one’s surprise, it looks very similar to the Mission E Cross Turismo concept. Let’s get straight to the point; we love the look of this uber-fast wagon.
Porsche’s Taycan Cross Turismo arrives with more space, practicality, and off-road looks
Four all-wheel-drive variants available, starting with the 280 kW (380 PS) Taycan 4 Cross Turismo
Australian buyers limited to 4S and Turbo variants, priced from AUD$201,000
Similar silhouette to Mission E Cross Turismo concept; optional Off Road Design package available
30mm increase in ride height; 36mm increase in rear headroom for passengers
Adaptive air suspension, 93.4 kWh battery standard-fit for Cross Turismo
Porsche has pulled the wraps off the Taycan Cross Turismo range, and to no one’s surprise, it looks very similar to the Mission E Cross Turismo concept. Let’s get straight to the point; we love the look of this uber-fast wagon. Fast German wagons are an underappreciated niche in Australia, but there is much enthusiasm for the likes of Audi’s RS4 and RS6, Mercedes-Benz’ C63S AMG Estate and Porsche’s own Panamera Sport Turismo.
On that note, the slightly larger Panamera 4S Sport Turismo is available in Australia from $217,000, meaning that the equivalent Taycan 4S Cross Turismo is $16,000 cheaper. The second model to make it to Australia is the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo, priced from $271,200.
Globally, four models will be available, with identical specifications to the Taycan sedan:
The Taycan 4 Cross Turismo with 280 kW (380 PS), overboost power for Launch Control 350 kW (476 PS), acceleration 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, top speed 220 km/h, range (WLTP) 389 – 456 km - USD $92,250 (not available in Australia)
The Taycan 4S Cross Turismo with 360 kW (490 PS), overboost power with Launch Control 420 kW (571 PS), acceleration 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, top speed 240 km/h, range (WLTP) 388 – 452 km - USD $111,650/AUD $217,000
The Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo with 460 kW (625 PS), overboost power with Launch Control 500 kW (680 PS), acceleration 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, top speed 250 km/h, range (WLTP) 395 – 452 km - USD $154,850/AUD $271,200
The Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo with 460 kW (625 PS), overboost power with Launch Control 560 kW (761 PS), acceleration 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, top speed 250 km/h, range (WLTP) 388 – 419 km.- USD $188,950 (not available in Australia)
The Taycan Cross Turismo adds just a little bit more space everywhere over the regular Taycan, with a wheelbase of 2,904mm (+4mm), a length of 4,974mm (+11mm), a width of 1,967mm (+1mm) and a height of 1,412mm (+31mm).
This results in an additional 36mm of headroom for rear seat passengers; a lack thereof in the sedan was a common criticism. Rear cargo space is increased too, with the 4 and 4S variants up to 446 litres with the rear seats upright (+80 litres), or 1212 litres with the seats flat. There’s also an 84-litre front trunk/boot.
For our money, we think the Cherry metallic with 20 inch turbo aero wheels, roof rails, panoramic roof and off road design package is the right specification.
With adaptive air suspension fitted as standard, five drive modes including a gravel mode are available to the driver. Gravel changes the air suspension's firmness, controls torque to the wheels to suit slippery surfaces, and optimises traction control and stability control systems for loose surfaces. An optional Off Road Styling package can be added, increasing ride height a further 10mm in gravel mode. The package also includes visual elements such as a larger rear diffuser, front aero pieces and a faux skid plate.
The Cross Turismo receives the larger Porsche 93.4 kWh battery pack as standard, presumably to deal with additional hauling and range requirements of wagon buyers.
Porsche Taycan Electric Sedan Lands in Australia Starting from $190,400
Taycan range hits Australia with all-wheel-drive 4S, Turbo and Turbo S available
Taycan 4S $190,400 - 79.2 kWh - 0-100 km/h in 4.0s
Taycan Turbo $268,500 - 93.4 kWh - 0-100 km/h in 3.2s
Taycan Turbo S $338,500 - 93.4 kWh - 0-100 km/h in 2.8s
Porsche’s Taycan 4S, Turbo and Turbo S range have landed in Australia, with this weekend heralding the first published press reviews and customer deliveries. To get into Porsche’s first all-electric sports car, you’ll have to fork out $190,400 before on road costs for the Taycan 4S. The Taycan Turbo will cost $268,500 and the Taycan Turbo S will set you back $338,500.
The Taycan 4S comes armed with a 79.2 kWh (gross capacity) battery, while the Turbo models receive the Performance Battery Plus; an upgrade to a 93.4 kWh battery pack. This is available as an $11,590 option for the Taycan 4S.
We spotted this Taycan 4S press car in Frozen Blue Metallic on the streets of Sydney, and it cuts a very striking, modern shape. While not as overtly aggressive as its Audi E-Tron GT sibling, the Taycan shape has elegance and presence in its aerodynamism. The Frozen Blue Metallic looks even better in person, catching the light across the Taycan’s curves.
Porsche recently added the Taycan rear-wheel-drive model to their overseas line ups, but Porsche Cars Australia has yet to announce if and when it may arrive here. Personally, we’re hanging out for the Taycan Cross Turismo; a wagon variant sporting a sexy shape, light off-road ability and raised suspension.
How would you spec your Taycan? Have fun with Porsche’s online configurator here.
The Taycan 4S in Frozen Blue Metallic, with optional 20-inch Turbo aero wheels.
The Taycan 4S charging port.
The Matrix LED headlights in Glacier Ice Blue with PDLS.
The Taycan 4S with optional 20-inch Turbo aero wheels.
The Taycan range. Image: Porsche Cars Australia
The Taycan 4S and Turbo S. Image: Porsche Cars Australia
The Taycan Turbo S. Image: Porsche Cars Australia
The Taycan Turbo S cost $338,500. Image: Porsche Cars Australia
Porsche Cars Australia has also just released a video with former F1 star (and Porsche Brand Ambassador) Mark Webber, who collected three lucky Australian Taycan owners for their first road and track experience of the car:
![Porsche set to Release Rear-Wheel-Drive Taycan EV Outside Chinese Market [Updated]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5237a580e4b09510ca448d5e/1611098249414-4HUAUSBE8P4GAEHBU8ET/Taycan_Basis_5.jpeg)
Porsche set to Release Rear-Wheel-Drive Taycan EV Outside Chinese Market [Updated]
Porsche has hinted at the imminent arrival of the rear-wheel-drive Taycan EV, releasing a shadowy teaser image. It has long been expected that the company would include a more affordable two-wheel-drive variant to compliment the Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S.
Porsche introduces the Taycan
Entry-level Taycan joins the EV sedan family
[Update] Overnight, Porsche has confirmed the Taycan will join the range, with a single-deck Performance Battery with a gross capacity of 79.2 kWh fitted as standard. The two-deck Performance Battery Plus is available as an option with a gross capacity is 93.4 kWh. Range, in accordance with WLTP, is up to 431 or up to 484 kilometres respectively.
The Taycan accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, whichever battery is specified. Its top speed is also 230 km/h in both configurations, while its maximum charging capacity is up to 225 kW (Performance Battery) or up to 270 kW (Performance Battery Plus). This means that both batteries can be charged from five to 80 per cent SoC in 22.5 minutes and that power for a further 100 kilometres is achieved after only five minutes.
The Porsche Taycan will start at $79,990 (MSRP) in the US before federal tax credit, while the Porsche Taycan with Performance Battery Plus will start at $85,680 (MSRP). The Porsche Configurator in the US has been updated to reflect the introduction of the new model.
January 18 2021: Porsche has hinted at the imminent arrival of the rear-wheel-drive Taycan EV, releasing a shadowy teaser image. It has long been expected that the company would include a more affordable two-wheel-drive variant to compliment the Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S.
The image features a Taycan Turbo in Gentian Blue, a Taycan Turbo S in what looks to be Coffee Beige and a Taycan 4S in Neptune or Miami Blue. The final vehicle, painted in Frozenberry Metallic is unfortunately too dark to reveal any badge on the rear, (the Porsche marketing department has blacked out a lot of the detail in the image file) however it makes sense that after filling the initial demand from the launch of the vehicle in the Chinese market that Porsche would open the order books up to the rest of the world this year.
While this won’t be a Taycan for the people —it’s expected to have a starting price around $80-85,000USD— it will bring the electric Porsche within the realm of affordability for buyers of performance combustion-engined vehicles such as Audi’s RS5 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.
While it’s expected that Porsche will eventually pad out the Taycan range with GTS and anniversary variants, personally we at EV Brief are more excited for an all-electric wagon; namely the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. This svelte estate will feature the Taycan’s storming performance, in an aerodynamic and practical body. It’s expected to launch sometime in 2021.
