Cheaper Porsche Taycan models confirmed for Oz

Porsche Cars Australia has announced a cheaper new rear-wheel drive version of the Porsche Taycan and a more affordable variant of its crossover wagon sibling, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

The new entry-level version of the German sports car-maker’s first EV, simply dubbed the Porsche Taycan, is priced at $156,300 plus on-road costs – $34,100 less than the Taycan’s previous base price of $190,400.

Meantime, the new Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, which is also available to order now ahead of first deliveries in early 2022, has been priced at $176,600 plus ORCs – $24,400 less than the 4S Cross Turismo’s launch price of $201,000.

However, at the same time, Porsche has upped prices across the entire Taycan line-up, even before the Cross Turismo arrives Down Under in the third quarter of this year, as part of a range-wide model year update for the all-electric sedan and crossover.

For MY22, all Taycans will score Android Auto as standard (as with the latest 911, Cayenne and Panamera), and the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S receive the 22kW on-board AC-Charger that’s – surprisingly – still optional on lesser Taycan models.

In addition, the Porsche Taycan 4S, Turbo and Turbo S variants all gain a head-up display, grey top-tinting for the windscreen, tyre sealant and electric air compressor, Traffic Jam Assist and Power Steering Plus (previously standard for the Taycan Turbo S).

But there are price hikes to go with the extra equipment – $4300 in the case of the Taycan 4S (now $194,700 plus ORCs) and 4S Cross Turismo (now $205,300), $7800 for the Taycan Turbo (now $276,300), $8700 for the Turbo Cross Turismo (now $279,000) and $7300 for the top-shelf Taycan Turbo S – now $345,800.

There’s no sign yet of a range-topping Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, nor a Taycan 4, and there’s unlikely to be a rear-drive Cross Turismo.

What the updated Porsche Taycan range does introduce, however, is the option of paying extra for convenience or assistance functions such as Active Lane Keeping, which will only be available in Australia via Porsche’s new Functions on Demand (FoD) program.

Lane-keeping and other features will be available for purchase or booking for a limited time online via over-the-air software upgrades using the Porsche Connect app after delivery, with no need to visit a dealership.

Confusing matters further, the new base Taycan RWD model – the fourth variant in the Australian Taycan range – is available with two battery sizes.

The standard Performance Battery delivers up to 300kW and 345Nm of torque in overboost mode with Launch Control. Its maximum charging capacity is 225kW and its range is 369km.

The optional Performance Battery Plus increases outputs to 350kW/357Nm, can be charged at up to 270kW and offers a longer 434km range. But it delivers the same 0-100km/h acceleration performance (5.4 seconds) and the same 230km/h top speed.

The Taycan 4 Cross Turismo scores the Performance Battery Plus as standard, delivering up to 350kW and 500Nm of torque in overboost mode with Launch Control, and hits 100km/h in a claimed 5.1sec thanks to AWD. Its range is slightly longer at 437km.

It can also comes with the most up-to-date public charging hardware including a 150kW on-board DC-Charger for use at 400-volt fast-charging points, and a Mode 3 public charging cable compatible with the majority of AC charging networks in Australia.

All Taycan owners receive a complimentary three-year subscription to the Chargefox Ultra-Rapid DC charging network (up to 350kW), and complimentary charging at selected Chargefox-managed Fast DC charging sites (mostly 50kW).

As per the Taycan 4S, the new Taycan and Taycan 4 Cross Turismo will come with the Porsche Charging Dock, a Mobile Charger Connect module, a charging cable for domestic sockets, two charging cables for industrial sockets and the Home Energy Manager to assist with the set-up of charging infrastructure at home.

Other standard equipment for the new Taycan and Taycan 4 Cross Turismo includes Comfort Access, Lane Change Assist, ParkAssist (front and rear) with Surround View, Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, Head-Up Display and Power Steering Plus.

In addition for Australia, there are auto-dimming mirrors, electrically-folding exterior mirrors, LED headlights with PDLS Plus, Privacy glazing, steering wheel heating, rear side airbags, 14-way Comfort seats with memory package and digital radio.

How much does the 2021 Porsche Taycan cost?
Taycan – $156,300
Taycan 4 Cross Turismo – $176,600
Taycan 4S – $194,700
Taycan 4S Cross Turismo – $205,300
Taycan Turbo – $276,300
Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo – $279,000
Taycan Turbo S – $345,800
* Prices exclude on-road costs