When the Porsche Taycan was first introduced to the market, it was met with fierce competition from the reigning all-electric sedan champion, the Tesla Model S Performance. However, the months following its release saw the Taycan Turbo S emerge victorious in drag races against the Model S.
Since then, the landscape of high-performance all-electric sedans has shifted with the introduction of new models such as the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Lucid Air Sapphire. In response, Porsche appears to be working to improve the Taycan in order to better compete with these direct rivals. Last year, a Taycan Turbo S with Performance Kit set a record time on the Nurburgring, hinting at potential upgrades to the vehicle.
Recent images from winter testing reveal that Porsche is indeed preparing a facelifted version of the Taycan, which is expected to feature 1,000 horsepower and three motors. The vehicle was spotted with an aggressive front splitter, a large air intake for cooling, and a fixed rear wing and diffuser, indicating a focus on providing maximum downforce.
As a premium all-electric car, it is likely that the facelifted Taycan will carry a higher price tag than the current Taycan Turbo S, which retails at around $187,400 in the United States. In comparison, the Tesla Model S Plaid has a starting price of $114,990, and the Lucid Air Sapphire is expected to have a starting price of $250,000.
A mysterious 2024 Porsche Taycan prototype has been spied cold weather testing with many aerodynamic modifications as well as a TDI badge mounted on the rear trunk lid. In addition, the prototype could be packing a 1,000 hp tri-motor drivetrain to compete with the Model S Plaid. pic.twitter.com/l2q9qR4ccW
— GearheadCole āļø (@cole_marzen) January 24, 2023