Porsche has released major specification details for its Taycan electric sedan, the series production version of the Porsche Mission E concept unveiled in Frankfurt three years ago.
According to its manufacturer, the Porsche Taycan will be powered by two permanently excited electric motors boasting a combined output of 440kW, just like the Mission E. This will propel the Taycan to 100km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, Porsche claims.
Like the Tesla Dual-Motor system, the Porsche Taycan has one motor driving the rear wheels, the other driving the front wheels.
"We opted for a permanently excited synchronous motor in the Taycan," says Heiko Mayer, drive unit project leader. "They combine a high energy density with strong sustained performance and maximum efficiency."
The motors are a compact design, says Mayer, and they feature 'hairpin' wiring for the solenoid coils – rectangular rather than circular wire – for packing closer together and increasing power and torque within the same volume.
"That makes it possible to make the motors and batteries smaller and lighter with the same power figures."
But performance isn't the only goal set for the Porsche Taycan, the manufacturer declaring the prestige sedan can achieve up to 500km of range before the battery pack needs recharging. The battery pack is rated at 800 volts, also in common with the Mission E.
Porsche chose this system for its fast recharging – the 400 cells can be recharged back to 80 per cent (400km range) within 15 minutes. And as a bonus, the 800V system permits the use of lighter wiring for reduced weight.
A wallbox will be available for faster charging at home.
Porsche has settled on a 2019 global launch date for the Taycan, and as revealed exclusively to carsales.com.au in June, the electric vehicle is confirmed for Australia and will go on sale here during the first half of 2019.
More information from the press material is available at Porsche's global newsroom.