Taycan Gets New $80K Entry-level Model for 2021
New model addition marks the first time a rear-wheel-drive-only Taycan is available and will arrive at dealerships, March 2021.Â
The Porsche Taycan is a monumental leap in the iconic company’s future. Their first all-electric car took the world by storm and has already gained all sorts of critical acclaim. While some would question how true a Porsche could be to its heritage without an internal combustion engine, many welcome the Taycan with open arms. Regardless, Porsche proved beyond a doubt that the Taycan is a true to bloodline Porsche. It reminds us all that electric cars can be far more than economical. They can be enjoyable sports cars.
Recently, Porsche announced a new addition to the Taycan lineup. While the currently available Taycan range is all of the all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, the new addition differs. They are rear-wheel-drive (RWD). This is an exciting feat for many Porsche enthusiasts. Additionally, this new extension of the Taycan family comes at a much lower starting price than its brethren. This opens an additional door for a much broader spectrum of potential Taycan customers.
Astonishing performance at a fraction of the price.
The new entry-level Taycan starts over $20,000 lower than that of the current lineup with its starting price of $81,250. An impressive reduction considering the Taycan 4s, the least expensive of the AWD models, starts at $105,150. Don’t let the massive price difference fool you, though. The new RWD Taycan does not lack in performance.
The new RWD Taycan is available with a standard Performance Battery (79.2 kWh) and an optional Performance Battery Plus (93.4 kWh). The standard battery comes with 402 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. Should you spend the extra $5,780 on the Performance Battery Plus upgrade, the power jumps to 469 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Both models have the same 0-60 sprint of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 143 MPH. The battery upgrade will save you 0.2 seconds in the quarter-mile, as well. While these numbers aren’t quite as impressive as the higher level Taycans, they are quite impressive given the savings.
Outstanding electric technology.
Standard battery is good for a range of up to 267 miles, while the upgraded battery brings the estimated range to 300 miles. Additionally, the standard battery can charge at 225 kW, while the upgraded battery can charge at 270 kW. This allows both batteries to charge from five percent to eighty percent in under twenty-five minutes. A five-minute charge adds over 60 miles of range, leaving range anxiety to be a thing of the past. Furthermore, the 2021 model standard is capable of using Porsche’s new Plug & Charge system, which is an integrated system allowing you to charge quickly and easily without use of a card or app. Simply plugging the car in begins the charge, and payment is handled automatically via an encrypted connection.
The Taycan is certainly nothing short of a symbol of Porsche engineering excellence in a changing world. Their ability to adapt to the car world’s electrification and still excel in producing remarkable sports cars only further establishes their rightful prestige. We can’t wait to see one of these new RWD Taycans rolling down the road.
Photos: Porsche