Two speed rear transmission! Clearly Porsche does not want autobahn speed acceleration to suffer.

 

I'll be very interested to find out at what speed the front e-machine freewheels or "disconnects" from adding its influence. I assume they'll just open-circuit the electrics and let it free wheel. Or, will there be a clutch that opens up to keep the motor bearings from over-speeding at high velocity? Or, will the front motor still work at very high speeds, but won't be able to contribute very much?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Way back when Tesla was developing the first few Roadsters, they tried using two-speed transmissions. Could not keep them from failing. Fortunately some higher power IGBTs, fancy power transistors, became available. So they were able to hit their performance goals with a single-speed gearbox. It will be fun to see if Porsche will have better luck.

 

I think they can do it. If you switch gears without watching the power sent to the motor then the torque will rip into the gears old design gear boxes. See what happened here for example:
The same happens to if the Taycan has tougher gears or the computer slacks off the power to the motor at the right time before shifting gears then the torque will be within the gearing specs.

Any other suggestions on how it can be done?

Earl Colby Pottinger (Tesla, Bollinger, Rivian and other BEVs fan)

 

its a lot easier now with dual motor cars. Simply let up torque to the rear just before shift, but boost it to the front to compensate.

Also, we have come a long way in transmission designs since the days of the Tesla Roadster.

 

Don't care for the fake exhaust outlets.

 

I wonder what else can be done with electric motors we did not think of with ICE?

Earl Colby Pottinger (Tesla, Bollinger, Rivian and other BEVs fan)

 

Pre-production camo. Definitely won't be on the production car.

 

Biggest benefit is total individual wheel control. Rivian has 1 motor each wheel, correct? Allows for absolute control of torque output. Including negative torque (drag) which allows you to rotate the car easier. Tesla does this with Track mode, although axle to axle, not wheel to wheel of course.

But think of an off road vehicle. No need for locking diffs, for locking transfer cases. It's all electronic. Slip detected at one wheel? Just don't give it power.