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Around the Finnish winter sports resort of Levi, SonntagsBlick was able to test the new Porsche Taycan 4S in wintry conditions.
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The temperatures dropped to below minus 20 degrees Celsius.
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This also affected the range of the Taycan 4S, which normally flows up to 463 kilometers.
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Unfortunately, so much fun demands the batteries, which have to be refilled at the charging station after half an hour of action.
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The Taycan 4S, like its more powerful Turbo brothers, will launch next spring. Prices start from CHF 135,700.
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So there is Santa Claus! The legend lives up here in Finnish Lapland – and when we arrive at the airport in Kittilä, we quickly know why: The snow between the forests is meters high. The streets are covered with ice centimeters thick. Without a long beard, thick winter costume and matching sled, nobody dares to enter the house.
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Porsche Taycan 4SDrive: Electric, 320 kW (435 hp) to 420 kW (571 hp), 640 or 650 Nm from 1 / min, 2-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance: 0-100 km / h in 4.0 s, top 250 km / h, range up to 407 km (battery 79.2 kWh) or 463 km (battery 93.4 kWh)
Dimensions: L / W / H = 4.96 / 1.97 / 1.38 m, from 2140 kg, trunk 407 liters at the rear + 81 liters at the front
Consumption: Plant 21.1 to 26.2 kWh / 100 km = 0/0 g / km CO2, energy A.
Price: from CHF 135,700—
But enough clichés: Of course, the people of Lapland know modern winter clothing like we do. And instead of reindeer and sled, they also drive SUVs – including 4×4 and studded tires. But although the locals are used to seeing Porsche sports cars (Porsche has had its own training center near the winter sports resort of Levi for years), they are amazed these days. Instead of the booming six and eight cylinders, they only hear the rolling noises of the 19-inch tires – Porsche lets us journalists the electric athlete Taycan as a less powerful, but increased range 4S test under extreme Nordic conditions.
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Porsche Taycan Turbo / Turbo SDrive: Electric, 460 kW (625 hp) to 560 kW (761 hp), 850 to 1050 Nm from 1 / min, 2-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance: 0-100 km / h in 2.8 s (turbo: 3.2 s), peak 260 km / h, range 381 to 450 km
Dimensions: L / W / H = 4.96 / 1.97 / 1.38 m, from 2295 kg, trunk 366 liters at the rear + 81 liters at the front
Consumption: Plant 26.0 to 26.9 kWh / 100 km = 0/0 g / km CO2, energy A
Price: from CHF 237,500 (turbo, 680 hp, from CHF 194,900)—
Cold-stressed batteries
Why this? Because it is known that cold does not get battery cells well. We know this from our cell phones – and it’s no different with e-cars. In order to start the test lap with the longest possible range, the Taycan preheats its battery and the interior on the charging station. Despite frosty temperatures of minus 20 degrees, the display shows a range of around 300 kilometers before the start. This is far from the theoretically possible 463 kilometers – but remarkable for freezer conditions.
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Unlike the locals, Porsche does not use studded tires and instead has specially fitted the Goodyear tires, which have been newly developed for harsh winter conditions. After just a few kilometers on the partly mirror-smooth streets, we gain confidence: Even with rough throttle, the Taycan cannot be disturbed. Its all-wheel drive, given by the two electric motors on the front and rear axles, shifts forces to the wheels with the best traction at lightning speed.
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Of course, we cannot “experience” the maximum power of the 4S here in the snow paradise. But the power of 420 kW (571 hp), which enables the sprint to 100 km / h in four seconds, can at least be guessed at on the straight streets of Lapland. On the other hand, we can experience the comfortable side of the Taycan better: the Porsche Stromer is also a solid travel sedan. Four people sit comfortably, the low noise level allows us to enjoy the passing Nordic nature even better.
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All-wheel drive not just rear-wheel drive
After so much relaxation, it’s time for action in the Porsche test center! The groomed slopes are as smooth as glass, our cars continue to only be equipped with winter tires without spikes. Instructor Andreas Fischer explains at the beginning: “In contrast to the rear-wheel drive, the drift angle of an all-wheel drive is controlled much more via the steering angle. The more you steer, the more the vehicle turns because the power goes to the rear axle. If you steer against it, the car becomes stable again. And don’t forget: the torque is instantly present in e-cars and does not have to build up like an internal combustion engine. »
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We set foot on the ice with the Taycan – and quickly feel that the highest level of finger and foot sensitivity is required. If we are too fast, 2.3 tons will slide relentlessly towards the edge of the slope and the snow wall. After the first successful drift exercises, our increased self-confidence spills over into arrogance. Suddenly the snow wall approaches us faster and faster. We remember the driving instructor’s sentence: “Always look where you want to go, not the obstacle!” And it works: the Taycan finds its way back into the saving track as if by magic.
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Taycan also has sound
Now for the supreme discipline, the circular drift track. Uniformity between the use of gas and the correct steering angle is crucial here. We try to follow the instructor’s tips – and despair quickly: If we steer and accelerate too hard, we immediately turn on the spot. With too little throttle and too little steering angle, however, nothing happens. And now another big difference to the combustion engine is becoming clear: the lack of engine sound, which you can use as a guide. But of course Porsche thought of that and composed the “Electric Sport Sound” for the “Sport Plus” driving mode – and it actually sounds cool! At some point my knot bursts as well: As if I had never done anything else, I finally drift in a circle – steer harder, open again, always with optimal gas use. This is how the Ice Challenge is fun!
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Unfortunately, the batteries also demand so much fun. After half an hour of action, they have to be refueled at the charging station. Nevertheless, we are certain that if Santa Claus needs a modern sled, he should shortlist the Taycan!
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