Porsche has begun work on the second-gen Taycan EV, which will be joined by an all-electric Panamera. Both models will be in Porsche’s future plan of “electrified luxury” which will contain as many as six models.
- Next-gen Taycan EV to be based on SSP Sport architecture
- Current-gen Panamera to get a major update next year
- Panamera EV expected to get multiple variants
Next-gen Taycan, Panamera to sit on SSP platform
Both new EVs will be based on a 'Sport' version of the Volkswagen Group’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which is being developed by Porsche. The so-called SSP Sport structure adopts the backbone of the SSP architecture, which is set to be used by other more volume-orientated electric Volkswagen Group models.
Among the key architectural developments being pushed by Porsche for the new SSP Sport platform is a low cabin floor, courtesy of a slimline battery pack, and rear footwells (or foot garages, as they’re known at Porsche) similar to those of the J1 platform used by the existing Taycan. These are also described as being crucial to providing the electric Panamera with packaging comparable with the current Panamera and a low centre of gravity for optimised dynamics.
The two new electric models, Taycan and Panamera, will share key structural, drivetrain and chassis components as well as a newly developed electrical architecture designed to support level-3 autonomous driving functionality, 5G-enabled digital features and an operating system developed in partnership with the Cariad software division of Porsche’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group.
Panamera EV to take on the Mercedes EQS
While the Panamera EV is still in the infancy of development, suggestions are that it will have a wheelbase and overall length similar to those of the existing long-wheelbase Panamera sold in China (3,100mm and 5,199mm, respectively). That would place it in direct competition with the likes of the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 and Lucid Air in terms of size. By comparison, the existing Taycan has a 2,900mm wheelbase and is 4,963mm in length, and the follow-up is likely to be similar – so the two models will be differentiated in size.
As with the current Taycan, Porsche is expected to launch a full range of electric Panamera variants, which will be revealed later.
Both generations of Panamera to coexist
The electric Panamera will be sold alongside a facelifted version of the existing second-generation model, which will be launched in 2023. It’s planned to be in production until 2030 on an extended model cycle, according to Porsche sources, providing customers with the choice of traditional ICE, plug-in hybrid or electric power, depending on the market and regulatory framework. The engineering for the electric Panamera is twinned with that of the new Taycan, due out in 2027.
The new zero-emissions Panamera is set to receive similar styling to its ICE and PHEV siblings. This approach mirrors that of the Macan and Cayenne, which are set to go electric in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
Viraaj Bhatnagar
