A Porsche of all trades
We often misuse that idiom or rather miss out on the last bit that carries the original meaning. The full version is “Jack of all trades, master of none, but often times better than a master of one”
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is certainly a model that aims to tick as many boxes as possible. While the acceleration is definitely at the forefront of the fun things to do, the rest of the car is perfectly balanced with plenty of creature comforts and all the refinement you can expect from the German automaker. The aim is clear; to offer the perfect all-electric Porsche, on and off the road.
Full speed down Electric Avenue
The all-electric car revolution is now in full swing. What started with a stiff nudge from an eccentric billionaire and his bulging pocketbook has now truly changed the entire industry. However, while the market only had a few limited options available a mere ten years ago, today it is flooded with a variety of choices. The established industry giants may have come to the party a little late, but they have brought with them a whole lot of class and experience. What the new kids on the block may lack in their range of cars are the luxurious touches that Porsche has been offering for decades.
Fastest school run
To be honest, the owner of this car is more likely to navigate the odd countryside parking lot or the cheeky sand dunes bordering Al Quadra than an all-out off-road adventure, but it’s still nice to know the capability is there should you need it. All-wheel drive equipped Taycan Cross Turismo has adjustable height suspension, as well as extra ground clearance, and even plastic body cladding to protect against scratches and scrapes, so Porsche isn’t just talking a big game for the advertising department. They mean business. Software additions like the Gravel drive mode bolster its cross-country credentials.
Performance
All the tweaks made to the design of the Taycan to make it into a bona fide off-roader haven’t stopped Porsche from doing what it always has; never compromise performance in the name of practicality. The Turbo Cross Turismo we tested comes with a 625 PS engine and a 93.4kWh Performance Plus battery. Zero to one hundred kilometers is a lightning fast 3.3 seconds but where this car excels is not at straight-line speed. It’s normal for electric cars to have all the acceleration all at once, right off the bat. With no cumbersome mechanical gears to shift through like a combustion engine, electric cars have always been fast going in a straight line but introduce a corner and all the extra weight of the huge batteries quickly starts to affect the turning ability.
Porsche engineers have worked hard on stabilizing the Taycan to give us a truly unique driving experience. While Dynamic Chassis Control and Torque Vectoring Plus may sound technical, they are responsible for the tires gripping the road better and adjusting brake pressure to the rear wheels independently. Add Rear-axle steering and the Taycan is a pleasure to drive around a bend. The tires really do grip the road well and the steering is precise and very responsive. Overall it’s a pleasure to drive.
Plenty of volume packed with luxury
The well-polished feel extends to the interior. The driver-centric design of the Turismo cockpit makes an impression from the moment you get in. Muted grey and dark tones give the interior a sleek and refined appearance. Three massive screens are customizable and continue with a low-key yet superior look. The instrument cluster screen behind the steering wheel is a fully customizable 16.8-inch curved digital screen and uses steely blues and warm orange tones to effectively display all the vital information the driver might need. By far the most tempting is the G-force indicator which almost demands you try it out once every few corners. The rest of the infotainment system is crisp and quick to respond. Apple music and Spotify can now be logged into and have been allowed to integrate into the Taycan ecosystem as long as you link it with your Porsche ID.
As for space in the boot, a high roofline and wider loading aperture provide you with a genuinely useful amount of space. 446 liters of boot space increases to 1’212 liters when rear seats are folded and an additional 84 liter frunk for your charging cables.
Charging, charging everywhere
Being an electric car, battery and charging efficiency is of course paramount. The Taycan Cross Turismo has a 93.4kWh battery and two electric motors which Porsche says can get you 455 kilometers if driven sensibly but that is not likely to happen with all that power at the ready. Now if you were to use a regular 7.4 kW home wall box it would take 13.5 hours to fully charge the Turismo. That is unlikely to be the default of most owners.
The German automaker is working hard to expand its 100 AC charging points that are already serving owners in 12 countries in the Middle East and India. Porsche Destination Charging allows electric and plug-in hybrid model owners to “re-fuel” free of charge at selected hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, sports clubs, and marinas. At one of these stations, the Taycan Cross Turismo can take full advantage of its 800-volt electrical system (most EVs have a 400-volt system) and will go from 5% to 80% in just 23 minutes. That’s quicker than a Tesla Model S even when hooked up to a Tesla Supercharger. Pair that with the all-new Charging Planner that calculates the optimal route taking into account your destination, your current charge status, and charging stations along the way providing you with a seamless and efficient journey.
A true all-rounder
The Taycan Turismo delivers what Porsche initially promised back in 2015 when it was still called the Mission E Concept; an immaculately finished, incredibly fast, yet comfortable electric car that genuinely charges fast and lets you enjoy everything it has to offer.
