Taking One Lap of the Country in my Taycan Turbo - 10k miles in 6 weeks Cross-Country Journal

[louv]

How is the glass roof holding up in the Californian sun? Does the car get very hot when parked (or driving)?

Thanks!

The roof is pretty amazing. I never feel overly hot. And it doesn’t feel hot after parked. A better test will be Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

I am glad that the seat ventilation fan was fixed, though. It’s a lovely addition to keep from sweating in a seat.

Sponsored

 

[GAS X]

ElectrifyAmerica chargers are kind of expensive... if you were paying retail prices. (Of course they are super fast in the right conditions, and are very expensive to install, so the investment must be recovered somehow)

Guess that's a way to recover their $2 Billion dollar diesel gate fine.

<EDIT>I perhaps stand corrected upon further research:
Though Electrify America is housed in the same faceless office complex as Volkswagen’s U.S. headquarters, the settlement calls for it to operate as an independent entity.

 

[ron_b]

At breakfast today there was a beautiful Australian Cattle dog under the table next to us. Well, she was under their table until she jumped up next to me and then crawled into my lap.

Overly friendly doggy; not really well behaved, but super sweet and I not only enjoyed it, I encouraged the bad behavior. I asked if I could take her home to Maine. Sadly, the answer was No.

Spoiling that little doggie
Interesting menu, never seen sweet potato pancakes before. But maybe I lead a sheltered life.

 

[Bikergal]

The Taycan experience was NOT just for me. Probably. Maybe. Most likely. Kidding, it was clearly not just for me as there was another owner (to be?) in a Turbo S.

Both of our cars (on track) were pre-production vehicles.

I think the dealership has to request the Experience for you. But really I have no idea how the process works. Someone (Paul?) asked where I bought my car. Then the next day someone from PECLA called to ask when I was available.

Most of the owners there were driving 911 cars.

It is available I think for another week for dealers (some/all??) to invite prospects or deposit holders. There is a fee for the dealer. We went to same Taycan experience in Atlanta. I agree with two launches and half an hour circling the track my insides said ‘no more please’.

 

[Bikergal]

Porsche includes your first 30 minutes of any session for free. Most sessions are less than 30 minutes... unless your car’s battery is too cold to accept a very high speed DC charge...

in regards to the 30 minute max, does it just shut off or just charge you? I was curious if you just unplugged after 30 minutes can you just move to a different station for another 30 min? When I pick up my Taycan this summer I have a 1500 mile trip home, am not planning to stick to interstate roads and expect lower charging rates.

 

[feye]

The roof is pretty amazing. I never feel overly hot. And it doesn’t feel hot after parked. A better test will be Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

I am glad that the seat ventilation fan was fixed, though. It’s a lovely addition to keep from sweating in a seat.

Yes seat cooling is essential in hot climate. And I am eager to know more how the glass roof works out in the hot climate. Please keep reporting.

 

[louv]

Black Flagged in the Corner.
I tried to visit the southwestern-most point of the continental US. Fail. I couldn’t even get near it. It’s a state park. And it’s closed. Can I get my tax money back now?

Yes, The International Friendship Park is closed. How very fitting. How very sad.

 

[louv]

Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.

War Planes. Tanks. Military museum.

Interesting photo opportunities.

 

[Reg]

How often do you wash the car? I am amazed that it always looks clean (for a black car)
Also, I noticed that this car just doesn't have a bad angle. The car looks great no matter how you look at it.

 

[louv]

How often do you wash the car? I am amazed that it always looks clean (for a black car)
Also, I noticed that this car just doesn't have a bad angle. The car looks great no matter how you look at it.

LOL. I’ve washed the car twice. Once with a pressure washer east of Calgary to get a thick coating of road salt off of it. Once in a parking lot—while getting a level 2 charge—with a spray bottle and a bunch of microfiber towels. I was waiting for my ex-wife to meet me for lunch.

But, the car has been washed four other times. Each time I stop in and visit a Porsche dealership, they’ve very kindly offered to wash the car for me.

 

[SFEVER]

Guess that's a way to recover their $2 Billion dollar diesel gate fine.

<EDIT>I perhaps stand corrected upon further research:
Though Electrify America is housed in the same faceless office complex as Volkswagen’s U.S. headquarters, the settlement calls for it to operate as an independent entity.

Not only that but the 2billion was a onetime fine that’s it! Electrify America is its own entity and has nothing to do with VW anymore. It has to become profitable within five years if not they will not survive. Hopefully more manufacturers will include one, two, or three years limited access and either cover it or supplement it. I’m ok with them charging a fee and in the beginning it will probably be more per kHw than once EVs are more mainstream

 

[Prateg]

My Turbo has arrived and I frankly tell you this is much better than I could imagine.

 

[DeciusCaeciliusMetellus]

Electrify America is its own entity and has nothing to do with VW anymore.

It's still a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, just operated at at arm's length.

 

[louv]

“We can be heroes,
just for one day.”
– David Bowie

As of today, I’ve been on the road for a month. I’ve reached the halfway point in this drive, having crossed the beautiful frozen landscapes surrounding the Trans-Canada Highway, enjoyed the always-stunning Redwood forests and Pacific vistas from Washington state to Southern California, and even hopped out to Maui to wiggle my toes in the sand.

I’ve had many hours to ponder along this adventure. It’s really about people. Visits with dear friends, and family. Meeting new people everywhere I go. Discussing electric cars, charging infrastructure, new technologies, and how fortunate we are to live in this era. Being invited into the lives of strangers and new friends. Generous, random, wonderful offers of lunches, beers, and local tolls.

How fortunate I am to be able to drive this car. How fortunate I am to have the time available to embark on such an adventure. How fortunate I am to have wonderful, caring cat sitters so I can hit the road for seven weeks. None of this is lost on me.

So it nags at my mind, as the miles pass, how do I make this trip matter? Actually Matter. Yes, it’s entertaining for many. That’s a good start. Perhaps (and hopefully) educational for the people soon to buy this car, soon to buy any electric vehicle, or those who haven’t even yet considered the transition to an EV. Maybe even beneficial to Porsche, ElectrifyAmerica, and other EV infrastructure companies.

I think we can—together—make a difference.

So, standing briefly in this unexpected spotlight, in my 15 minutes of fame, I humbly ask:

If this adventure has entertained, enlightened, or educated you, please take a moment to make a donation to make the world a better place.

Of whatever amount you wish.

One charity that is near and dear to my heart is MSF: “Médecins Sans Frontières”, also known in the US and Canada as “Doctors Without Borders”.

MSF provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Their teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic, and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Their actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality.

I worked for MSF briefly in 2016, managing the non-medical aspects of a Recovery Hospital for Syrian War wounded in the Za’atari Syrian Refugee Camp in Jordan. The people I met—MSF employees, ex-pats and locals, other NGO workers, the refugees, and the patients who we were there to assist—were truly wonderful, kind, and amazing. It was an unforgettable life experience.

If MSF isn’t a charity that you choose to support, or if you want to make a local difference, perhaps consider a donation to your local Animal Shelter & Rescue organizations. Two of my favorites—having volunteered at both—are the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, and the Humane Society of Silicon Valley.

And to sweeten the pot, allow me to make this pledge: I will match your donations... dollar for dollar... Up to a limit of the odometer reading when my Taycan and I arrive home in Maine at the end of this adventure.

Some links are provided below. If you choose to donate, send me a note, telling me the amount. I’ll summarize the donations at the end of my adventure.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Thank you for joining me on this adventure.

Think globally, act locally.
(while driving in a big circle).

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca

https://arlgp.org/

https://www.hssv.org/

 

[Ron R]

Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.

War Planes. Tanks. Military museum.

Interesting photo opportunities.

Great shots Don. Too bad International Freedom Park was closed; unfortunately it is very fitting...