SPIED + VIDEO: The Porsche Taycan Is Nabbed WORKING The 'Ring, BUT, Does It Even Stand A Chance Against TESLA?

SPIED + VIDEO: The Porsche Taycan Is Nabbed WORKING The 'Ring, BUT, Does It Even Stand A Chance Against TESLA?
The more I think about it, the more I realize that Porsche's had it rough over the past decade.

First, the Nissan GT-R comes out and destroys Porsche's Nürburgring lap times. Sure there were some rule bending and questionable decisions, but a win is a win folks. There was a scare as to whether the company would remain operational after some poor financial decisions. Volkswagen eventually took the reigns. And then every single time Porsche releases a flagship, performance-oriented car it gets trounced soon thereafter.

I guess the 918 Spyder was its crowning achievement for a little bit there. Well, at least until the Lamborghini Huracan smashed its lap time on the 'Ring.

Now Porsche is branching off into the world of electrification. And while we adored the Mission E Concept, we're turning to dust waiting for it to come to fruition. Of course this is a different process to Tesla's approach of just roll them off the factory floor and see what happens.

But that got me thinking. Every one who wants an EV is talking about Tesla. No one even registers EV and Porsche in the same sentence. Frankly, I am not sure that's going to change, no matter how good the all-new Taycan is.

So, I've got to ask, Spies: Does the Taycan even stand a chance against the likes of Tesla?


This video shows you the 2019 Porsche Tycan (Mission-E). It has 2 elektric motors that produce around the 600HP and goes from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The electric 4-door is to spearhead Porsche’s long-term electrification plans, with a range of plug-in hybrids and full EVs set to join it in the future.

I hope you enjoy the video!



SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/21/2018 11:01:31 PM
-3 Boost
On paper, the specs are slightly below the Model 3 Performance. The question is how nerfed each car will be a few laps in. It's a 1-2% difference on the 3, which is far far better than the S. Porsche is aiming for 0% which might be technically impossible, we'll see (even the famed Civic overheats on the track).

Will it matter? No. Even if the Taycan is worse than a 3 or S in every way, Porsche enthusiasts will still buy up every one at 20k/year. Its shaping up to be a solid EV, which should make car buyers happy regardless of who their rooting for in the EV war (Germany, Japan, or the USA). We'll get more options and better prices, win.


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/22/2018 8:05:42 PM
-1 Boost
Of course Teslas destroy their brakes at the track making them unsafe at any speed.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/23/2018 3:30:09 AM
+2 Boost
No braking issues on the Performance edition on a track so far. Upgraded brakes + double regen braking from the second motor.


runninglogan1runninglogan1 - 8/22/2018 12:16:36 AM
-3 Boost
I'm sure it's going to be an amazing car and a huge hit for Porsche but at 20k sales per year worldwide, it poses no threat to Tesla.


TomMTomM - 8/22/2018 3:05:09 AM
+7 Boost
Porsche now has about 250 dealers in the USA - and No requirement to sell at full price. It also has a real Sports car heritage and the prestige to go along with it that will take Tesla DECADES to come close to.

VW will find a way to sell all that the customers want.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/22/2018 4:01:20 AM
-8 Boost
Keep in mind the discounted flea-market-style haggled prices that you get at dealerships is the inventory cost + dealer markup. With Tesla you're effectively getting the dealer rate since there is no additional middleman. It's already discounted and the price is uniform and fair since it is based on market demand versus your individual negotiating skills.

Points on heritage and prestige are valid.


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/22/2018 8:09:58 AM
+5 Boost
Yeah, price fixing and cash raping customers like Tesla does is so much better.

This is pure bullsh!t: "With Tesla you're effectively getting the dealer rate since there is no additional middleman." With Tesla you're paying full Monroney and the "dealer markup" is merely pocketed by Tesla.


stiffystiffy - 8/22/2018 4:30:30 AM
+3 Boost
Depends which tests you do. Long term endurance testing on the Nurburgring will be interesting.

Would also be interesting to measure the panel gaps on each car after every lap.


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/22/2018 8:13:16 AM
+1 Boost
If this is priced like a Model S--doubtful as that will be the job of Audi--then Tesla is done. Why? Porsche knows how to engineer a car, which Tesla is inept at it. Porsche has better build quality by far. Porsches are also more reliable. Then factor in that if you need your vehicle serviced, you go to your local Porsche dealer whereas with Tesla, it has to be flat-bedded to the mothership.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/23/2018 3:35:42 AM
+1 Boost
There are 189 Porsche service stations in the US, Tesla has 100 and 400 remote service vans... not to mention it needs a lot less service than a Porsche.


rockreidrockreid - 8/22/2018 9:04:30 AM
+1 Boost
Please explain how “tesla is done” when Porsche is only building 20,000 of these total. The Model 3 now by itself sells 20,000 per month.

And we still don’t know the price of this Porsche. In fact, the entire VAG group has been very quiet about the number of electrics they can deliver. Very telling when VW itself says that their competing EV line won’t come online anytime soon and their supply of battery packs is 3rd party which is susceptible to further disruptions.


TheSteveTheSteve - 8/22/2018 7:53:00 PM
+3 Boost
rockreid: Porsche is massively profitable. Tesla has always bled red ink, continues to do so to this day, and has no viable business plan to become profitable. Tesla depends on regular cash infusions to keep the lights on, in the form of yet more loans, tapping capital markets, issuing junk bonds, and even begging suppliers to retroactively return some money to Tesla.


rockreidrockreid - 8/22/2018 10:40:31 AM
-1 Boost
lol, ok...VW eGolf 186miles range, weak motor.. and the sales numbers prove your statement is utterly false
http://motrolix.com/automotive-sales-figures/volkswagen-sales-numbers/volkswagen-golf-sales-numbers/volkswagen-e-golf-sales-numbers/



PUGPROUDPUGPROUD - 8/22/2018 11:56:06 AM
+1 Boost
The first vehicle ever designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1898 was an electric car! Remember when people thought a Porsche SUV might fail. You think Porsche is really worried about Tesla as a competitor...think again! The president of Porsche in a recent interview said "Our orders for the new Taycan are fantastic and it hasn't even been official introduced yet." Tesla benefited from early adopters and (pardon the expression) tree-huggers buying in. Porsche has a loyal customer base plus being an aspirational brand built over decades.


supermotosupermoto - 8/22/2018 1:00:22 PM
+5 Boost
Price-wise and performance wise, the Taycan is at a much higher level. I don't really see the the comparison, aside that they are both electric.

Fastest Nurburgring lap I've heard of in any Tesla is 8:50, which is comically slow. Current Panamera Turbo did it in 7:38.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/23/2018 3:39:56 AM
+1 Boost
I'm eagerly waiting the Model 3 performance times... we'll see.


dumpstydumpsty - 8/22/2018 6:08:24 PM
+2 Boost
How much for the Taycan? I'd love to roll in rare Porsche EV along with the droves of Tesla's. A Macan EV would be more interesting tho. The Tesla X is still pretty cool still.


zliveszlives - 8/23/2018 6:49:08 PM
+1 Boost
I will till there is a drop top.


CANADIANCOMMENTSCANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/22/2018 8:48:38 PM
+3 Boost
In a USA car market of approximately 17 million units, Porsche sold 6,731 Panamera variants in 2017 in the USA. In the same time period, the Tesla Model S variants sold in the USA in 2017 amounted to 27,060 units. My guess is that the Taycan's sales will come at the expense of Panamera sales. Both will be very compelling choices to a Panamera customer renewing his or her lease. Panamera or Taycan? Betty or Veronica? 3/4 choose to stay with a Panamera and 1/4 will choose the Taycan. @MD might have a different perspective as an insider in the car business.


GermanNutGermanNut - 8/22/2018 9:42:37 PM
+2 Boost
The competition is certainly knocking on Tesla's door. Audi will be first out of the gate with its eTron all-electric SUV. Looks like Porsche's Taycan is not too far behind the Audi. If BMW and Mercedes-Benz are cooking up their own all-EVs, that brings even more competition.

The bottom line is Tesla has less than 10 months before the competition is on the market.


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/22/2018 10:48:02 PM
-1 Boost
The Audi will be the right form factor at the right price. Everyone here knows I am not a fan of Audi, but I think Audi is about to hit some big home runs with its Etron line.

The Model S needs a full replacement by now. The Model X needs to be redone to lose the chickenhawk doors and its obscene minivan proportions.

Audi is about to own the market and Porsche will own the sport market.


zliveszlives - 8/23/2018 6:53:17 PM
0 Boost
MD stop blaspheming, the 6 year old ModelS doesn't need a update, just like the Aztek never did... o wait even the Aztek got updates!!


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/23/2018 7:57:58 PM
+1 Boost
zlives, it's "an update".

You need to look up the definition of the word "blashpheme" which means "to speak irreverently about God or sacred things." "Sacred" means "connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose."

You also need to learn to count.
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