Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Isn’t Meant For Off-Road, Still Excels Anyway
Taycan Cross Turismo adds some ride height and some much needed range thanks to new hardware and updated software.
When something looks like it is meant to be taken off road, you take it off road. Right? Well, Harry Metcalfe did, and found out that the Taycan Cross Turismo is pretty astounding. On the steepest wet grassy hill on his farm, Metcalfe finds himself unable to vex Porsche’s electric car. The hill that has mired all but the mightiest of Land Rovers is a breeze in the Taycan. But it’s more about electronics than anything else.
“This car is fitted with the Off Road Design Pack,” notes Metcalfe early on in the video. So it is literally a design package. But those electronics mentioned earlier make the biggest difference. Electronics specifically in the Taycan Cross Turismo include a “gravel” setting which apparently is amazingly effective in the slippery stuff. That setting also raises the car as well for some additional clearance. Will you be taking it to Moab? Probably not. But in the winter time with snow tires, it would be a good companion.
A new software update that’s available to older Taycan models allows the bigger battery version to get a bit more range. It’s still in the upper 200’s for range, but at least there’s more usability. The range is accomplished by taking the front motor out of the equation in certain driving conditions. The car also will lower itself closer to the ground for better aerodynamics. But ats Metcalfe points out, it’s still falling short of what is now the industry standard of 300 miles if not way more.
Some frustrations still exist. Foir example, full power isn’t always available upon full throttle. And that’s because all 570 horsepower is only available during launch control. Press the throttle again while in motion and you only get 490 horsepower. A software update can surely fix that, too. And when it comes to driving, yes it is extremely capable as any Porsche is, but it has the typical EV drawback.
“It still feels kind of one dimensional,” Metcalfe bemoans. Viewed through the lens of a Porsche enthusiast, it’s a good car. And only has a short way to go before being great.
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