It seems as if Porsche is trying to make amends for the painfully drawn-out gestation period of the Taycan, so hot on the heels of the range-topping Turbo and Turbo S launches last month comes the 4S, the model that will most likely make up the bulk of customer sales when it becomes available in spring 2020.
The Taycan 4S is available in two battery sizes: the standard single-layer 79.2 kWh Performance Battery produces 522 hp while the optional two-layer 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus makes 563hp—this being the same battery used in the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S models.
Regardless of battery size, the 4S will sprint to 60mph in 3.8-seconds and have a top speed of 155mph, although we expect the more powerful variant to pull out an advantage once on the move. As a comparison, the Turbo and Turbo S achieve the 0-60mph dash in 3.0 and 2.6 seconds respectively and have slightly higher top speeds at 161mph.
The battery charging options remain the same too and when an 800-volt high-speed DC charging station is used, charging from 5 to 80-percent can be done in as little as 22.5-minutes. The more likely scenario will be a longer charging time using the more readily available 400-volt high-speed DC charging stations. US customers also get free 30-minute charging sessions for three years at Electrify America sites nationwide.
Equipped with two permanently excited synchronous motors on both axles—including a two-speed transmission on the rear—the 4S drivetrain architecture is much the same as the rest of the Taycan range. The differences in outputs and acceleration capability are down to differences in the electric motor rotor sizes and most likely a number of complex software changes too. We wouldn’t be surprised if remapping kits start popping up not long after these cars reach the market.
Aside from the slightly less potent hardware under the skin, the Taycan 4S also has unique 19-inch Taycan S Aero wheels and brake calipers painted in red while the front fascia has a subtly different geometry, as do the side skirts and rear diffuser, which are finished in black.
The best news about this new addition to Porsche’s all-electric offerings is the pricing. Whereas the Turbo starts at a steep $150,900 and the Turbo S is a wallet-busting $185,000, the base 4S is $103,800 in the US. Adding the Performance Battery Plus pushes the price up to $110,380, which is just about on par with the slower accelerating 440hp Panamera 4S. As with all Zuffenhausen products, getting too liberal with the options list will soon see that base price shooting skywards; happily, the 4S is well-equipped as standard with notable features including air-suspension, electronic damper control PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) and keyless entry.
How it fares compared to similarly priced electrically-powered rivals remains to be seen but judging from early reviews of the Turbo models, it should be a fantastic all-rounder with a depth of ability and engineering that should easily justify its price tag.
Images courtesy of Porsche
