Porsche will launch its first full-electric model, the Taycan, at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show this September; and Indian buyers will not have to wait all that long to get their hands on one. Speaking at the launch of the Macan SUV facelift, Pavan Shetty, Director, Porsche India, announced that the Taycan will go on sale in India in 2020. The Cayenne Coupé is also due for launch in the Indian market and will go on sale by October 2019.
Porsche hasn’t released complete technical details of the all-electric sportscar but there are a few things known. The Taycan will be powered by two synchronous motors, one at each axle, effectively making it an all-wheel drive. A power output in excess of 600hp will translate into a 0-100kph time of under 3.5sec. The Taycan will be based on an 800V electrical architecture with under-floor batteries capable of giving it a range of over 500km (according to the NEDC test cycle). The sportscar will come with fast-charging capability (up to 350kW) that will enable a 100km range with just 4min of charge.
Despite the limited popularity of EVs in India, Porsche is optimistic about its upcoming flagship. In an chat with Autocar India, Shetty said, “Indian customers are quite experimental and open to new technologies. With India, we already have interest from a lot of prospects. What is really exciting for them is the fact that it (Taycan) will drive like a Porsche.”
Commenting on how the automaker plans to enable its customers overcome the country's limited charging infrastructure, Porsche’s India head added, “We have already tied up with some hotels. We are doing it across the country. We will also give two chargers with the car – typically one at home and one at the office. With a 500km range, it will be sufficient for the customer to not feel very anxious driving a Taycan.”
There’s no word on pricing but the Taycan certainly won’t come cheap. Expect pricing upward of Rs 2 crore.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
