Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo: Filling the Gap in the "Station Wagon" Segment

Porsche is expanding its Taycan family even further: As the first member of the Taycan Sport Turismo series, the GTS will hit the market at the end of February 2022, with other versions following in mid-March. A new optional feature for the Taycan Sport Turismo is a panoramic roof with Sunshine Control. A special feature of this roof is the electric sunshade. Starting from spring, five variants will be available: The Taycan Sport Turismo with 240 kW (326 HP) and rear-wheel drive, optionally with a Performance Battery Plus offering 280 kW (380 HP), starting at 86,495 euros (about 72,685 euros net). Above that is the Taycan 4S Sport Turismo with 320 kW (435 HP) and all-wheel drive, optionally with a Performance Battery Plus offering 360 kW (490 HP), starting at 107,439 euros (about 90,285 euros net).

The new midpoint is the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo with 380 kW (517 HP) and all-wheel drive, starting at 132,786 euros (about 111,585 euros net). The top models are also the "Turbos": the Taycan Turbo Sport Turismo with 460 kW (625 HP) and all-wheel drive, starting at 153,968 euros (about 129,385 euros net) and the Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo with 460 kW (625 HP) and all-wheel drive, starting at 187,288 euros (about 157,385 euros net). Thus, the Sport Turismo costs only around 1,000 euros more than the sedan, but still maintains a reserve of almost 4,000 euros compared to the Cross Turismo.

The Turbo S also sprints to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds

From a standstill, the Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds. Its top speed is 260 km/h. The version with the longest range is the Taycan 4S Sport Turismo, with a range of up to 498 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. The maximum charging power also depends on which battery is on board. It can reach up to 225 kW (Performance Battery) or up to 270 kW (Performance Battery Plus). According to Porsche, both batteries can be charged from five to 80 percent in 22 minutes and 30 seconds. Conversely: after just under five minutes, enough energy for another 100 kilometers can ideally be drawn.

For many, perhaps a deciding factor: headroom and the large tailgate

Here too, the headroom in the rear is more than 45 millimeters greater than in the Taycan sedan, which makes a significant difference in practice. Even in the driver’s seat, according to Porsche, an additional nine millimeters of headroom is available. Also noteworthy is the large tailgate, whose opening is significantly longer at 801 millimeters and significantly higher at 543 millimeters than the sedan's (434 millimeters long and 330 millimeters high).

The size of the trunk also depends on the equipment. Combined with the Sound Package Plus, it can hold up to 446 liters (sedan: 407 liters). If the BOSE Surround Sound System is on board (standard from the Taycan Turbo Sport Turismo), it holds 405 liters. With the rear seatbacks folded down (60:40 split), the cargo space increases to 1,212 or 1,171 liters. Additionally, there is the front trunk (frunk) with 84 liters of capacity.

Porsche has put a lot of thought into the cargo space

Practical: The standard storage package includes bag hooks and tensioning straps. These practical features ensure order in the rear cargo space. An optional luggage compartment partition net is also available. The cargo space cover, which can be practically stored behind the rear seat bench, has also undergone significant development.

With a special rear carrier, the Sport Turismo can transport up to three bicycles. It is designed to be easy to use and can be compactly folded. The payload capacity is 50 kilograms. The tailgate can be opened even when loaded. Roof rails are available for both panoramic roofs on the Taycan Sport Turismo. Porsche Tequipment also offers roof boxes for all three Taycan body versions, including a performance model tested and approved for higher speeds.

New: the panoramic roof with Sunshine Control, which switches between transparent and opaque at the touch of a finger

The new panoramic roof with Sunshine Control features an electric sunshade. Porsche has also added its own ideas to this. The large glass surface is divided into nine segments that can be controlled individually. This allows specific sections or the entire roof to be switched between transparent and opaque. When switched to opaque, the interior is still flooded with light. The new technology minimally reduces brightness. Since glare is prevented with the "Sunshine Control" function, the roof can be much brighter than the base model. According to Porsche, this allows twice as much light into the interior.

All of this operates via PDLC technology (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal). Liquid crystals are embedded in a film. They are supplied with electricity through electrical contacts. With low alternating voltage, the crystals align within milliseconds, making the glass transparent. When the glass is disconnected from the power source, the liquid crystals become disordered, turning the glass opaque. Operation is controlled via the central infotainment display after selecting the function on the touch panel. This means the Taycan consumes less power when in the opaque state.

The panoramic roof also offers better heat protection than a sunshade

In addition to the "Clear" and "Matt" settings, "Semi" and "Bold" can also be selected. These are predefined patterns with narrow or wide segments. A dynamic "roller shade" effect is also possible: an appropriate sequence of segment switching is activated when the Taycan driver slides their finger over the roof representation on the display. When the vehicle is turned off, the glass automatically switches to the opaque state. The last roof setting is stored for the next start.

The panoramic roof with Sunshine Control is multilayered. Even in the transparent state, it so effectively shields against heat radiation that it offers better protection against heat than a mechanical sunshade or conventional glass roof. According to Porsche's measurements in the sun simulation chamber at its development center in Weissach, only 15 percent of the heat enters the interior, compared to over 30 percent with conventional roofs.

Further Enhancements in the Drive

As representatives of the latest Taycan generation, the Sport Turismo models with all-wheel drive utilize a particularly efficient drive strategy. In the "Normal" and "Range" driving modes, the front electric motor is almost completely decoupled and switched off in part-load operation. When coasting and at a standstill, there is no drive torque at either axle. This electric freewheeling reduces drag losses. Only when the driver requests more power or changes the driving program are the motors re-engaged within milliseconds. Thermal management and charging functions have also been improved. This leads to the 4S variant with Performance Battery Plus achieving the highest range of all variants for the first time.

More Range Than the Sedans!

According to Porsche, this allows for ranges. Interesting: All range values are above those of the sport sedan. The background: Sport sedan and Cross Turismo models of the latest Taycan generation were not separately homologated, hence there are no new range values according to WLTP for them. Nevertheless, the action radius of these versions also increases in everyday operation since the 2022 model year thanks to technical optimizations.

Parking In and Out by Smartphone on Request

With the optional Remote Park Assist, parking in and out can be remotely controlled via smartphone, without the driver taking a seat behind the wheel of the Taycan Sport Turismo. Automatic control is possible in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces as well as garages. The system detects parking spaces automatically and measures them using ultrasonic sensors and camera systems. If there is enough space, the driver can start the parking process via the Porsche Connect App and then step out.

They constantly monitor the parking process by holding a corresponding button on the app interface of the smartphone. Active parking assistance independently takes over steering as well as the forward and reverse movement of the vehicle. If the button is released, the Taycan Sport Turismo immediately stops the parking maneuver.

Apple Car Play and Android Auto Integrated into the Infotainment System

Since its introduction, the sixth generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) has been on board the Taycan. In addition to Apple Car Play, Android Auto has also been integrated into PCM since the last model year update. Alongside the iPhone, smartphones with Google's Android operating system are also supported. Selected phone functions and smartphone apps that do not impair driving safety can then be controlled via PCM 6.0 or Google Assistant voice commands.

Additionally, the Voice Pilot voice assistant is now supposed to understand natural language instructions even better. According to Porsche, the navigation system should calculate faster, primarily uses online search for Points of Interest (POI), and now presents its information more clearly according to Porsche. Those who do not wish to use smartphone integration can now also access a direct integration of the Spotify streaming service in addition to Apple Music within the Porsche Communication Management.

The Control Concept has also Been Further Optimized

The layout and control concept have also been slightly revised: On the left-hand side of the central display are five menu shortcuts. The symbols can be individually rearranged. The Charging Planner has also been further improved, planning more frequent fast-charging stations and avoiding short charging stops. Additionally, charging stations can now be filtered by power classes.

What Does That Mean?

Porsche always uses each new Taycan version for small optimizations that then benefit the entire series. Those who don't like the "high seating" in the Cross Turismo but find the sedan offers too little space and variability may find the best of both worlds in the Sport Turismo.