Porsche’s first purely electrically driven sports car, the Taycan, is currently completing its final test drives before it enters series production.

In Scandinavia, just a few kilometres away from the Arctic Circle, it is proving its potential in terms of driving dynamics on snow and ice. At the same time, Porsche engineers are taking advantage of the summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In South Africa, they are conducting performance tests, as well as final adjustments in terms of continuous performance and reproducibility. In Dubai they are carrying out hot-climate endurance runs and testing battery charging under extreme conditions. The 30 countries across the globe in which these comprehensive tests are being carried out have temperatures that range from minus 35 to plus 50 degree Celsius.

Testing of the new Taycan /







“After carrying out computer simulations and comprehensive bench tests early on, we have now reached the final phase of this demanding testing programme,” underlines the vice president of the model line, Stefan Weckbach: “Before the Taycan is launched on the market at the end of the year, we will have covered approximately six million kilometres across the globe. We are already very happy with the current status of the vehicles. The Taycan is going to be a true Porsche.”

Of course, at Porsche, electric cars have to undergo the same rigorous testing programme as sport cars with combustion engines. In addition to displaying superior performance, this always includes proving unrestricted suitability for everyday use in all climate conditions. Particularly demanding features such as charging the battery or temperature control of the drive train and the interior under extreme conditions are additional aspects in the battery-powered models. Other typical Porsche development targets include circuit performance, multiple accelerations, as well as a range suitable for everyday use.

Facts from the Taycan testing phase Overall distance covered: Approximately six million kilometres, of which two million were endurance run kilometres Countries: A total of 30, including the USA, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Finland Temperatures: From minus 35 to plus 50 degree Celsius Air humidity: From 20 to 100 per cent Altitude: From 85 metres below to 3,000 metres above sea level Charging cycles: Over 100,000 using various charging technologies across the globe Development team: Around 1,000 test drivers, technicians and engineers