stout

We think alike.

Will address when I release my impressions.

That's a very long ways from the press drives—which are in northern Europe (Norway > Denmark > Germany > etc)

Not a Tesla to be seen on our driving days with Porsche—other than, that is, privately owned Teslas in Denmark. Quite a few there…

I think I can count on one hand the number of times Porsche has brought a competitive vehicle on one finger. Make that no fingers, actually. I think the only head to heads at press events I can recall were some tire intros, and that was a long time ago (one shocker for me on one of them was that the first X5 4.4i was a lot farther behind the first Cayenne S 4.5 than I thought it was before driving them back to back at Sears Point. Still preferred the X5 for styling and interior, but that was about it…)

The total event is a big push, with something like 18 days in total for those involved from the PR side. I've seen fancier hotels, food, etc. on other events, and I prefer the simpler rooms and fare—which tend to suggest to me the budget has been applied to what matters most: Time with the cars. Usually, it's one day. Sometimes less. For Taycan, some reviewers do one-day events (locals, I suspect), while some do two-day events. There may be a group or two that do three days. We did two days, with Copenhagen on day 1, and then Denmark to Hamburg on day 2. Good test, as range was a non-issue on day 1, but came into play on day 2.

Air curtains are a big deal when it comes to aero, and remain open (at least as far as the face of the car is concerned). Interestingly, opting for the power charging doors (whether by Turbo S where they are standard or by ordering them on a Turbo) has a small negative effect on drag, moving the cD from 0.22 to 0.23, because the vents behind the front wheels are no longer open.

Did I just buy into the Turbo naming convention? I guess I have to in order to discuss these models, for the sake of clarity (cough, cough), but the first option I'd tick is model designation delete. Car would look cleaner, too. While we are talking about looks, the thing has insane presence on the road. I'd wait for the aluminum roof with its double bubble, but all of the cars looked good—throwing out the usual rule where one color "wins" at every press event. White looks fantastic—particularly, to my shock, with 21s with white blades...very 1980s, somehow in a good way, with white calipers available to seal the return of "Triple White." Any other color, I'd order PSCB with black calipers. I was surprised I liked it as much as I did, perhaps because it looked like a concept car on the road? Car dripped of "The Future is Now." But the Dolomite Silver car was a looker, too—a nice twist on the Mission E/release cars, and ups the 911/Porsche shapes and styling cues. That car had the red interior, and the interior does like being two tones. Volcano car was initially boring to look at, but grew on me...as on the Macan, it's hard to argue with. Gentian was nice enough, but Mamba Green Metallic was the shocker of the bunch. It's only bold because everything is black/white/silver/gray these days, and is actually a very nice color and looks great on the car in person...and isn't "wild" in the way Lizard or Viper Green are. It's a lot like the old Metallic Green from the longhood 911 era. The sleeper color of the bunch, and one I'd think hard about—before going white or silver. I think.

Finally, I am pretty sure I saw one car with the Sport Design front bumper, which has larger air curtain openings...which I prefer on the configurator as they look more intentional to me. But then it disappeared.

I like the bold predictions!

Meh. Most people I've sent on press trips—particularly enthusiasts/writers—are in heaven the first time, accepting the second time, and then either pass or approach them as professionals from there on. My view on price is a bit like my view on styling: It isn't a great thing for me to focus my efforts on—even if I've addressed it a bit on color above because I view Rennlist more as banter with other enthusiasts than a formal outlet—as each reader can make a better determination on that for themselves. I do occasionally look at value, particularly if it's egregious (please raise your hand, 996 GT2, 987/981 Cayman, etc), but I'd rather focus on info the reader has a harder time accessing (what's it like to be around, and what does it feel like to drive) alongside a look at what it, you know, is.

Want to answer this, as it's a good question (though we spent 10-12 hours in the cars, so "most of the time" would be a lot of smiling!), but it feels like impressions and I've decided to respect the embargo.

GREAT question...wish I had had this going into the trip—but will circle back and see if I can include an answer. Got answers for most of the questions posed earlier, and started to post those from Germany last night but found myself doctoring them to avoid impressions in my notes about them. So I'll hold off on that.

Did pass on a hello to Alex, who I really enjoyed meeting. Very cool dude, though he didn't see the fastest speed readout on the autobahn on that section…

daveo4porsche

@stout thanks and i respect your integrity!

freqflyer

Curios, so many blogs or auto mags break embargoes, what do automakers have to hold over these media outlets heads to prevent them from doing that?

daveo4porsche

future invites and early looks

daveo4porsche

I will be either elated or devastated - but for the moment I'm terrified.

928 GT R

Hopefully we will be "elated" and we will want to fill our allotments without trepidation... The way I have specified mine on the configurator, it is around $235k and the depreciation hit would be massive. Especially since I am hoping that they will do a GT version of this as a 2 door without the vestigial seats of the 911 and a full size hatch for golf clubs and such other cargo nonsense. But waiting will be tough if this thing is as good as I anticipate.

You were mentioning the three things about this car that the market was disappointed with and I think the fourth is the Turbo/Turbo S name. My WTF radar went up on that immediately and then I saw the marketing logic after a few days. Now I get it as a trim level and would leave it badged a Turbo S...

I have a fifth concern and that is the flat panel displays. Are they manageable on real world bumpy roads? My first impressions while driving a new Cayenne were quite unfavorable with it being so easy to touch the wrong thing and get into menu options that were not easy to get out of while staying focused on driving.

Here's to what we learn on the 24th!





>

928 GT R

Pete,

Thank you for all of this information. One practical question. Do the rear seats fold down flat so the cargo area is useful?

Thanks for all of your insight and integrity.

groundhog

That silver looks great but also check out the green - really stands out in a good way

CarMaven

Hey Pete.

Thanks for your impressions so far and future impressions.
Few questions, regarding: Range Mode; Top Speed; Drivers Display; 18 day launch; Brakes; Tesla Ring activity;

1) I know you said you were there two days. Did they allow you to drive in Range Mode, and if so, how long (in hours, days)?

You indicated earlier the range may be longer than suspected (Porsche Niagara Falls to NYC trip with a fill up at 250 miles with 39 left, indicating 290 range highway miles range). There's also a picture from a Porsche event showing 565 km range. Did your driving indicate any of this, particularly with the cars 2 speed transmission for highway driving, and up to 265 kw regeneration in city driving? Or were you guys having too much fun driving in Sports, Sports plus, and/or not allowed? LOL

2) You said Alex didn't do the fastest speed. Okay. Who did?... Was it you? LOL. And what was that speed? So is the Taycan faster than Porsche reports? Or was the speedo just that off. What did/does Porsche say? Speaking about speed: I'm assuming the real world 0-60 is 2.1-2.3 for the "Turbo S", and 2.5-2.7 for the "Turbo"? Not sure if you got to test that, or if Porsche commented?

3) You mentioned, Porsche's in an 18 day test cycle. Ok. Though the embargo will be released Mon/Tues, while (I presume) they continue to show the car to other reviewers? The 18 day launch cycle isn't over yet, right?

4) Did the new fancy Drivers Display sans cowl effectively keep out the sun? I know it looks very realistic and beautiful on Alex's video. Were you impressed, or you didn't really think about it (both good I guess, lol)? How was the rest of the dashboard area with the sun?....Did it appear to have the same treatment, thus effective? I'll wait for the ergonomics, simplicity in your review.

5) Did you get a chance to try or modulate the different levels of brake regeneration to your satisfaction? Or did you need more time, mainly drove it one way (i.e. as a performance vehicle)? It even has an Auto setting, right?

6) Now a fun question: Were you guys following, aware of all the Ring hullabaloo with Tesla? And if so: Did Porsche say anything to you guys, particularly about the One Off Race Car nature of the Tesla (stripped out interior; super semi slicks; body add ons; alleged new power train, etc.), and it's subsequent breakdown? I know their CEO had commented on Porsche "pre-production" form vs Tesla's to the media previously. Was Porsche tight lipped? Or did they give you guys some clues of their position; what's can happen in the future on The Ring ( with a possible Turbo S run), and/or future Taycan production models in response? Safe travels back home.

Thanks again Stout!!

CarMaven

Oh/PS:

Were there actually any Double Bubble Roof Taycans on your junket (I know they're supposed to be available later to order)? Which is more visual beautiful, striking in your opinion (see, non performance question)? LOL

Is there a head room difference between the Double Bubble and glass panel ones, particularly for the driver (if you had access to one, Porsche commented)? I know reviews, have already indicated that taller back seat passengers may have to slide forward to get under the glass panel roof better. So, does that mean the Double Bubble's worse in that aspect, or not necessarily (especially for the driver)?

Did you, or any taller testers get to try the Legroom/Foot Garages in the back?

Thanks again Stout!

freqflyer

So was this part of the Porsche Ride and Driver or not? Because I see Teslas on the same track with not yet for sale Taycans.

Needsdecaf

Thanks Pete, makes sense where you are coming from. I wasn’t trying to sound as cynical as I probably came across, was actually trying to make a similar point, but badly I guess.

Looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts next week. I’m expecting it will be pretty positive.

Loess

That's disappointing to hear that the fender vents are closed off with the power charge port. I like the power door but I think I dislike fake vents more. I guess less to fail with the manual doors.

I wished they offered GT silver instead of that blue silver.

CarMaven

PS Stout: Yeah. Porsche's on Day 5 now. And they state:

Taycan Roadtrip Europe

• Quote:

  Day Five

  It’s one third of the way into Taycan Roadtrip Europe, and the North American media have departed and their counterparts from China have arrived, ready to set off from Hamburg across Lüneburg Heath in the morning.
  https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2019...ive-18717.html
  
  

Needsdecaf

@CarMaven Wanted to chime in on one of your questions, regarding glare. The new generation of screens is really good and able to completely fight glare without a protective cowl. The first one I had was in my F10 BMW 5 series. I’ve since had a lot of seatbtime in the new Mercedes E class and GLE and they have zero cowl and no reflection either. Finally, shhhh, I know I’m not allowed to say this but my Model 3 has a huge screen in the middle of the dash, with a huge windscreen and a glass roof with no shade. I drive that thing in the blinding sun of Houston with zero issues. Finally, I’ve driven the new Panamera and Cayenne and they have very minimal overhangs on the screen and have no glare issues.