Porsche Taycan confirmed for Australia in 2020

Porsche has announced that its first all-electric vehicle, the Taycan, will make its way Down Under in 2020, following on from the car’s international launch in 2019.

Set to be powered by an 800V battery pack linked to two synchronous electric motors – one for the rear wheels and one for the front – producing at least 440kW, Porsche claims the Tesla Model S rival will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in at least 3.5 seconds, and 0-200km/h will be accomplished in under 12 seconds.

While the Taycan is set to boast 500km range per charge, Porsche is planning to install a network of 350kW fast-charging ‘Electric Pit Stops’, which are claimed to be capable of bringing the batteries to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes. Compared to Tesla’s 120kW Superchargers, that should get Taycan owners back on the road in almost half the time.

It is also understood that the Taycan will utilise the Mennekes ‘Type 2’ charging plug that many electric car manufacturers currently utilise.

Porsche is planning on having an established charging network set up before the Taycan’s Aussie arrival, along with adequate options for home-charging stations for owners.

While Porsche remains coy regarding the Taycan’s looks, it is expected that it will borrow heavily from the design of the Mission E Concept first shown in 2015 – suicide doors notwithstanding.

Pictured above at the ‘Future Lab’ pop-up display in Barangaroo, Sydney, Porsche has put the Mission E on display for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere to drum up extra hype for the brand’s first pure EV, and to offer potential customers a look at what may bear some resemblance to something that could end up on their driveways in just a couple of years.

Also on display alongside the concept car is a 1962-model 356, which is being shown as part of the celebrations of 70 years since the first registration of a Porsche car.

Other than being confirmed to arrive locally after the turn of the decade, no details regarding local specifications or pricing for the Taycan has been announced, although it is expected to be priced lower than the Panamera and in line with the Model S.