The Chalk Taycan Porsche is a very fun car to drive. But if you want something with an even more aggressive feel, the new GTS models are for you!
The new GTS models are built on the same platform as the Taycan Turbo S, but with a set of unique suspension setups. These should give the cars better driving dynamics, road feel and responsiveness than any other Taycan in the lineup.
Porsche InnoDrive
The Porsche Taycan is a fun-to-drive electric powerhouse. Official acceleration numbers suggest that the car can reach 124 mph in just 9.6 seconds from rest and run the quarter mile in 10.7 seconds. But when we test drove the vehicle at a local Porsche dealership, our rep told us that those official estimates were just a bit too conservative. The real-world times were closer to 123 mph from rest and a much better 10.7 seconds in the quarter mile.
The new InnoDrive feature essentially takes adaptive cruise control to the next level, using high-resolution navigation data and information collected through the radar and video sensors on your car’s front and rear to predict topographical road features like gradients or corner radii ahead of you, then modifies your speed and gearshift strategy accordingly. This reduces the stress of driving in traffic, especially in heavy traffic when traffic jams are common.
InnoDrive is available on the 2019 Panamera and will be rolled out to other future Porsche models in the coming years. It also works in the company’s growing plug-in hybrid lineup, helping to increase efficiency by up to 10 percent on highway and country roads.
Porsche has made this technology accessible to consumers with its Function-on-Demand (FoD) service, whereby customers can add and remove features on their own time and at their own pace through an over-the-air update. It’s a new twist on the concept we’ve seen used before by Tesla.
But even with InnoDrive, it’s still important for drivers to pay close attention to the surroundings and take control of their car when necessary. It’s best not to let InnoDrive handle the brake or accelerator pedal, because it can be subject to limitations and won’t always work correctly.
It’s also not a bad idea to have InnoDrive in Sport mode, where it can take on more challenging driving conditions while still retaining its ability to be controlled by the driver. It’s a great choice for drivers who want a little extra dynamic driving while enjoying the added peace of mind that InnoDrive can bring.
Chalk Taycan Active Suspension Management
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is a suspension system that automatically and continuously adjusts damping force. This is done to maintain optimum ride quality and comfort, which can change depending on the road conditions or driving style.
This system uses sensors that monitor speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration to determine how the vehicle is driving. If the sensor finds that the vehicle is deviating from its intended path, it immediately starts braking interventions targeted at individual wheels to stabilise the car.
The electronic damper control responds to changing road conditions, such as uneven pavement or high levels of dust in the air, adjusting the shock absorber for better comfort and greater handling capabilities. In addition to normal settings, PASM can also be used in a sporty setup mode with firmer damping.
In this way, the driver can feel confident that the vehicle is stabilising itself under all circumstances, even under extreme acceleration or braking. With this system, it’s possible to drive the Taycan to its full potential and make the most of all its features.
With the help of PSM, you can get an excellent ride on all types of roads. The non-PASM version is great on public roads where you’re not battling opposing traffic or other obstructions, but it can become difficult to control when you have to maneuver on race courses.
Another benefit of the PASM suspension is that it can be used in conjunction with PDCC and Sport Chrono Package, which offers an even more sporting tune for the throttle response and handling characteristics. This feature is a bit more complex to use than the simpler PSM settings, but it can be very rewarding for the driver.
When you’re in the middle of a fast corner or trying to control your Taycan in a tight space, it can be hard to find the right settings. The standard PCM (Porsche Communication Management) has a 10.9-inch touchscreen that displays primary menus and has a half dozen dedicated buttons to easily navigate the main features of your vehicle.
In addition to the PCM system, you can connect your phone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These options keep your phone connected to the vehicle so that you can easily access navigation, music, and other features.
Porsche Active Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics are one of the key factors in maximizing a vehicle’s performance. It’s not only a matter of managing air flow around a car, but also how the elements used to shape that flow are deployed. Porsche has relied on this technology for decades and it’s now a staple of the company’s top-end cars.
On the new 992-generation 911 Turbo S, Porsche has reworked its entire active aero setup to make it more precise than ever. In addition to the traditional front and rear spoilers, this model features a fully active wing that extends and retracts as fast as you need it to. It does this both at highway speed and in rain mode to keep the splitter out of the airstream and away from curbs and steep driveways, while helping to manage weight over the rear axle.
The wing and other active aero components also have a new “Wet” mode that deploys them into a high stability position in order to help keep the car glued to the road in wet conditions. It’s a nice touch that can’t be found on any other car.
Another cool feature on the Porsche Taycan is an electronic rear wing that’s adjustable for height and tilt. When you activate the Wet mode, it sets the rear wing to its highest stability position in order to keep the car glued to the road, as well as to increase downforce when you accelerate.
This helps the Taycan to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 2.6 seconds. The system works with the 640-horsepower, 3.8-liter turbocharged flat-six to maximize its performance while minimizing drag and fuel consumption.
Moreover, the new PAA features continuously variable cooling air flaps in the front section that open and close depending on temperature, load, and speed. This allows the Taycan to have its optimum aerodynamic profile even when the driver is in high-speed mode, and it’s even capable of achieving the lowest possible drag coefficient rating of 0.33 Cd.
The Taycan’s exterior is rounded out with full-surface aerodynamic underbody paneling, an adaptive rear spoiler, and LED headlights. Its interior features a 16.8-inch display with a curved design that’s reminiscent of classic Porsche instruments. It also offers a high-quality microfiber fabric with a “Race-Tex” coating in place of leather.
Porsche Active Chassis Control
The Porsche Taycan features a number of chassis control technologies to make driving an all-electric experience as enjoyable as possible. These include Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus).
PDCC is a pro-active anti-roll bar system that uses electromechanical cylinders rather than hydraulic actuators to limit body roll in milliseconds. It helps to make the Porsche cars feel like they have a much better grip on the road than you could get with a conventional anti-roll bar, resulting in more dynamic performance and greater ride comfort across all speeds.
PASM makes use of a series of sensors to adjust the damping force according to your driving style and road conditions. This means the suspension is always in optimal condition for the driving conditions you encounter.
With PDCC, the car is also able to handle corners more quickly and with less body movement. This is because PDCC helps to keep the vehicle from leaning too far during cornering maneuvers, which helps to reduce the risk of damage.
Another benefit of PDCC is that it is significantly more energy efficient than similar systems using hydraulic actuators, which means lower running costs. It can also help to improve the overall driving range of an electric vehicle.
In addition to a centrally networked 4D Chassis Control, the Porsche Taycan comes with various safety features, including Lane Change Assist and traffic sign recognition. It is also equipped with Remote Park Assist, which lets you park the car in a parallel or perpendicular space remotely using a smartphone.
The cockpit of the Taycan is designed to be as driver-focused as possible, with high resolution displays and touch-sensitive buttons to provide direct access to essential drive and chassis functions. It also has a steering wheel that can be adjusted for driver height and lumbar support, along with a 16.8-inch display with curved glass to provide a stunning visual experience.
The interior of the Taycan is spacious and comfortable, with a 2+2 seating layout and rear seat split-folding capability. It also has 8-way power seats that can be fully reclined for added comfort.
