New Entry Level 2021 Porsche Taycan is $24k Cheaper with 402 HP
Published On February 10, 2021
Porsche recently announced a new base-level model option to the 2021 Porsche Taycan line up. Porsche's current entry model is the Taycan 4S with a starting MSRP set at over $105k. The new model is solely called the Porsche Taycan, and it starts at $81k – that is a savings of nearly $25k!
The most significant difference between the 2021 Porsche Taycan base is that it is rear-wheel drive only. Higher trim levels on the Taycan come standard with all-wheel drive. The premium Taycan models use a front and rear-mounted electric motor to power all four wheels. However, the Porsche Taycan features only one rear-mounted electric motor to power the rear wheels. With one less motor, the 2021 Porsche Taycan is 215 pounds lighter while still living up to the brand's reputation for high-performance.
The standard 79-kWh battery pack in the 2021 Porsche Taycan base has enough juice for its rear-mounted motor to produce 402 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. Enough to push the sports electric luxury sedan from zero to 60 in an estimated 5.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 143 mph.
By comparison, the top of the line Taycan Turbo S produces 750 hp and can reach 60 mph in 2.4 seconds. Porsche customers looking to squeeze more power from the Taycan base can upgrade to the optional 93-kWh battery pack, which boosts the power output to 469 hp and 263 lb-ft (a $5,780 option).
Standard equipment with the 2021 Porsche Taycan base includes a set of 19-inch Aero units, six-piston front and four-piston rear disc brakes, and Porsche Active Suspension Management. Like with any Porsche, the option to upgrade brakes, wheels and add adaptive air-suspension is available. Of course, adding options will bloat the price tag, like double servings of guacamole. The battery range for the Taycan base has not been released yet, but to give an idea, the Taycan 4S offers 199 miles of range, or 271 with an upgraded battery pack.
For those wondering, yes, the Porsche Taycan base's main competition, the Tesla Model S, is still cheaper. The current Tesla Model S starts at $69,420 and provides an estimated range of 402 miles. Beyond price, choosing between both electric luxury sedans comes down to personal preference.
Tesla has the spotlight, but Porsche has decades of experience in building performance vehicles. The Taycan is still the new EV on the block, so it will be interesting to see how the car evolves in Porsche's engineers' hands. If we have learned anything from Porsche's other models, it is its reputation for surpassing expectations.
New Porsche Taycan owners can go to any certified XPEL PPF installation center to have ULTIMATE PLUS ™ paint protection film applied to their luxury sports electric sedan. XPEL's DAP system can create exact PPF patterns to match the abstract design of the Porsche Taycan's front bumper and the rest of its traditionally modern bodywork. Top it off with FUSION PLUS ™ ceramic coating for an additional layer of paint gleaming protection.
Visit the XPEL Installer Locator Tool to find the nearest certified XPEL installation center near you and get a quote on any of our paint protection film, window tint, and ceramic coating services.