A Blissful First 10 Days Living With My GTS - Photos, Thoughts, and More

[Porsche-Guru]

@Christ0pherus this is awesome! Thanks for the detailed post. I have a GTS ST due at the end of August and can't wait. I'm swapping out of an M5 Comp and one of my concerns was losing that sound. Excited to read that the electric sound is quite nice.

The only thing I'm bummed about - and I know you didn't get the variable sunlight control - but this is an option I was dying to add to my build. I was told it wasn't available on MY22 GTS ST's

congrats! amazing build, beautiful car, and I just can't wait for mine to get delivered.

The simulated electric sound from the Taycan is never going to compensate the visceral note and the gear shift blips from M5 quad exhaust... but it is the best we will get with electric cars !

Sponsored

 

[KoSoVaR]

The simulated electric sound from the Taycan is never going to compensate the visceral note and the gear shift blips from M5 quad exhaust... but it is the best we will get with electric cars !

Absolutely, and by no means am I expecting something equivalent. I do love the M5 but I’m ready for a change.

 

[Rob28]

You only need to push the region button when you don't want to coast. After the first couple of miles regen is used when braking, just watch the power meter. Turning the regen on just slows the car down when you lift all the accelerator. The auto regen mode will let the car coast until there is another car in front then it will slow down.

nice looking car!!

Yes this - i initially thought the same as you that i had to turn on the regen everytime, however, when you brake, regen kicks in. If you turn on regen then you dont coast and its meant to resemble a ICE car - feels very aggressive in sport plus. I dont turn on regen anymore in normal mode, i like the coasting.

Great choice with the chalk - i am similar to you (no kids, dogs or messy people in my car ) but chose the red leather over the GTS interior. Appreciate your feedback on the GTS interior - maybe on the next one, ill get the racetex!

 

[Christ0pherus]

Yes this - i initially thought the same as you that i had to turn on the regen everytime, however, when you brake, regen kicks in. If you turn on regen then you dont coast and its meant to resemble a ICE car - feels very aggressive in sport plus. I dont turn on regen anymore in normal mode, i like the coasting.

Great choice with the chalk - i am similar to you (no kids, dogs or messy people in my car ) but chose the red leather over the GTS interior. Appreciate your feedback on the GTS interior - maybe on the next one, ill get the racetex!

Bordeaux Red is a fine choice too! That would’ve been my other choice.

Re: Regen. I get how it works with the modes but I noticed regen only kicks in when I lift my foot off the accelerator. When I brake, the green meter does not increase, which probably means that the algo is trying to bed in the friction brakes before allowing regen braking to happen. In other words I think I only have regen coasting but no regen braking (yet). Other owners talk about having a similar experience in another thread.

 

[Rob28]

Bordeaux Red is a fine choice too! That would’ve been my other choice.

Re: Regen. I get how it works with the modes but I noticed regen only kicks in when I lift my foot off the accelerator. When I brake, the green meter does not increase, which probably means that the algo is trying to bed in the friction brakes before allowing regen braking to happen. In other words I think I only have regen coasting but no regen braking (yet). Other owners talk about having a similar experience in another thread.

I've noticed what you're talking about however only at lower speeds or when I brake lightly. With Regen 'off', and hard braking, I see the meter turn green. However, cruising through my neighborhood, at 20miles or less, no green on the meter when braking.

 

[AyTifosi]

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed the whistling sound. I've concluded it comes from the side mirrors when driving at speed.

I had my windscreen replaced a couple of months ago. While I remember there being a slight wind noice on the highway (60 mph+) prior, since they installed the new windscreen above about 70 mph it sounds like the window is cracked a smidge. I often double check it is closed. I've looked over the area where the roof/windscreen meet and can't see anything different on either side - looks like a good fit/finish. I guess I need to look at another Taycan. It's a bit annoying to be sure. I'll ask at my next service visit (early Aug) when I get the software updated.

 

[Windpower]

… I noticed regen only kicks in when I lift my foot off the accelerator. When I brake, the green meter does not increase, which probably means that the algo is trying to bed in the friction brakes before allowing regen braking to happen.

However, cruising through my neighborhood, at 20miles or less, no green on the meter when braking

Braking regen is turned off (no green on the meter when braking) on two occasions:
- for the first mile or so everyday (to remove corrosion which might have built up on the brakes while the car was idle)
- for the first 1000 miles or so when the car is new to bed the brakes

 

[Rob28]

Braking regen is turned off (no green on the meter when braking) on two occasions:
- for the first mile or so everyday (to remove corrosion which might have built up on the brakes while the car was idle)
- for the first 1000 miles or so when the car is new to bed the brakes

Ahh yes, I just hit around a 1000 miles so that may be why I didn't see the Regen.

 

[X88]

Overview
After 8 long months of anticipation, I finally took delivery of my Taycan GTS last week. Despite a supply chain crisis, a war, and a shipwreck, I was lucky enough to receive the car just 1 week later than my original delivery estimate with no markup. Redwood City Porsche was incredibly communicative and helpful throughout the process (props to Rudy!).

The first time I got behind the wheel felt amazing. I’ve driven plenty of Teslas, Benzes, and BMWs, and despite similar 0-60 times, they cannot come close to the level of presence this car has. It just feels so special. Being able to own this car is my childhood dream come true.

Photos
Before getting into my lengthy spiel, here are some glam shots taken right after PPF installation and ceramic coating were done.

First Impressions & Thoughts
Features and options are bolded.

DESIGN & QUALITY
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it’s clear that the design is second to none. I also love the GTS accents, from the gloss black rear diffusers to the side skirts and Satin Black Spyder rims. Like many GTS buyers, I opted for Chalk/Crayon paint to accentuate the black accents.

I also went for the GTS interior package with Carmine Red stitching. Race Tex is a controversial choice, but as someone who never eats in the car and has no kids or dogs, I was not worried about my ability to maintain it. I also felt like I was missing out if I got a GTS without the GTS interior. It’s comfortable and, despite what some photos suggest, does not look overbearing in person. The red stitching, seat belts, and clock also spruce up the interior a lot. If you are a clean freak like me, I highly recommend speccing the GTS interior package. I used to hate dark interiors but I absolutely love this one and wouldn’t have it another way. For me, it was worth the extra $$$.


COMFORT
Suspension is smooth and supple, even on poor roads with the chassis set to Sport+. I read a handful of journalist reviews suggesting the GTS was harsh. My experience could not be more different, having driven comfortably over pothole ridden San Francisco streets already. My BMW M340i would have given me a back ache in the same situation.

The thermally and noise insulated glass also makes the car feel like a sanctuary. It’s supremely quiet at high speeds, save for a slight wind whistle that’s only there when you listen for it. When you roll the windows down, you can see the extra layer of acoustic film sandwiched between the window panes. I haven’t driven a Taycan without it but I’m sure it does something.


HANDLING
Incredible as you might expect. This was the least surprising part yet still the most satisfying element. The steering is surgically precise and confidence inspiring. I also spec’d it with PDCC and Rear Wheel Steering. PDCC flattens body roll and you can toggle PDCC in the instrument cluster to watch the chassis magic happen. I’m sure it already has neutral cornering even without PDCC, but it’s one of those things where I would’ve felt FOMO for not getting it.

Rear Wheel Steering and Power Steering Plus also work in concert to make the turning radius like a bus. Navigating tight spaces and U-turns is so much easier than it was in my BMW. RWS also makes the car noticeably more planted when going through high speed twists and turns.


ACCELERATION
Lightning fast, though hard to discern from a 4S in everyday driving. I haven’t tried launch control but the fact that I can put trucks and Priuses in my rear view mirror in the blink of an eye without spewing exhaust and obnoxious fart sounds is a great feeling. Speaking of sounds, the Electric Sport Sound is awesome. I had a rear passenger who found it to be a bit too loud in sport mode but it adds a nice visceral element for front seat occupants. The GTS Sport sound is definitely louder and deeper than in other models. However, I wish there was a way to turn it on by default rather than configuring it in individual mode and twisting the sport chrono dial every time I start the car. Strange choice from Porsche not to save the setting…


PARKING
This is my one driving criticism. Backing up out of steep driveways was a bit tricky at first. My driveway has a downward grade, so backing uphill is tricky since the car’s e-brake kicks in when you press tap the brakes on an incline, and then the car will jerk because it can’t decide whether to keep reversing or to stop. This will take some getting used to.


BRAKING AND REGEN
I did not spec $9k PCCBs as I was counting on using regen most of the time. But I do find it odd that, like Electric Sport Sound, you have to manually enable regen every time you start the car. When it is enabled, modulating the brake pedal feels very natural like an ICE car. But I do feel a slight click whenever pressing the brake lightly, and I’ve heard others in the forum report something similar. It doesn’t bother me but I do wonder why that happens. I also suspect regen is throttled since Porsche wants the brakes to be “bedded” first. I will reassess in a few hundred miles.


INFOTAINMENT / PCM
The Head Up Display is better than I thought. Coming from a BMW I thought I would be disappointed, but it turns out to suit my needs just fine. The height and layout are pretty customizable and show you the basic info you need. Also, polarized sunglasses wash out my BMW’s HUD but not the Taycan’s.

The Passenger Display is also a nice touch. My partner is an aviation/map geek so he loves to mess with it when I am driving. When there are no passengers, it just shows a “Taycan “ screensaver which is a nice aesthetic touch. Note that you cannot use this display unless a passenger is present.

The PCM functions reasonably well, with CarPlay, Android Auto, HomeLink, SmartLife, and Nav all working as expected. However, there is one big software gremlin: I am still unable to access my Porsche account on the PCM unit. It keeps forcing me to proceed in Guest Mode and disable private mode EVERY time I start the car. My account is authenticated, but when I switch to it, the loading screen appears forever and then times out with an account activation error. I’m getting this checked out in a few weeks at the dealer (and yes, I’ve scoured the forums and did everything they suggested to fix the issue, with no luck). This is my biggest gripe so far because I cannot use any of the remote functions on the My Porsche app. It mistakenly indicates the car is in Private Mode (side note- if anyone else experienced this issue, please let me know).

The Bose Stereo is nothing to write home about. It's exactly like any Bose Sound System should be and gives you the basic controls to configure Surround Sound. It's good, but not surprisingly so.


RANGE AND CHARGING
When I took delivery, my starting range was around 213 miles at 100% SoC. I did a lot of joyrides on highways so I think it’s a low estimate. When I resume regular daily driving, which is predominantly local city streets for just a few miles to and from work, I think I can get closer to to 270 miles.

Charging is easy, for the most part. I installed the Mobile Charger Connect unit with a 14-50 NEMA socket and it sustains a 9-11 kw current. One thing I did not find intuitive, though, is that if you want to schedule the battery to charge overnight and stop at say, 85%, you need to enable two things: 1) General Profile to set your preferred charging times and 2) Charge Timer with a maximum desired SoC.

I also have two Electrify America stations within a mile of me, so I enabled Plug and Charge and tried it out. I know EA has its share of issues but it worked great for me.

My only minor regret is not having gotten the power charge port. It’s a gimmick worth having and adds contrast to an otherwise homogenous side profile. It’s plain cool. As a consolation, I did opt for the “electric” lettering on the side, which I know some people don’t like, but it has gotten a fair share of compliments!


BONUS
I got this car to fulfill my passion, not for the status. But a side effect (or benefit, if that’s your thing) is that the car attracts a great deal of attention. In Chalk guise, it’s different enough from white such that people notice, and the louder GTS sport sound makes onlookers think a UFO is about to abduct them . Even in the SF Bay Area, a mecca for Porsches, the car turns lots of heads.


Anyway, if you actually read this far, thanks for enduring my long spiel. I hope it was helpful. Here’s to many more happy miles!

Congratulations! Awesome looking car and great writeup. I hope I'm not far behind you and that my GTS will be delivered in August per current estimates.

I'm pleasantly surprised by your comment on polarized sunglasses and HUD. Is the HUD really not washed out at all in your car when using polarized sunglasses, or perhaps slightly fainter but still legible? I recognize there's no way to answer that objectively without having two identical sunglasses, one with and one without polarized lenses! But I'm asking anyway as I was just about to order a second pair of progressive prescription RayBans but without the polarized coating, anticipating issues with the HUD.

I'd also be curious to hear from any other forum members who have experience with polarized sunglasses and HUD.

Thanks again for the informative write up and keep enjoying your new ride!

 

[Hirschaj]

I'd also be curious to hear from any other forum members who have experience with polarized sunglasses and HUD.

My new polarized Ray Bans made the HUD nearly unusable for me. I ordered a 2nd, almost identical pair that are not polarized to keep in the car. Those work great with the HUD of course.

 

[X88]

My new polarized Ray Bans made the HUD nearly unusable for me. I ordered a 2nd, almost identical pair that are not polarized to keep in the car. Those work great with the HUD of course.

Jim, thanks for that ... much appreciated. As I'm using Ray Bans too I'll proceed and order my second pair.

 

[Square[]]

Appreciate your report! I just ordered a new GTS in chalk (expecting Feb 2023 delivery). Anything you would change about your build now that you spent two weeks with the car?

Alex

 

[Christ0pherus]

Ahh yes, I just hit around a 1000 miles so that may be why I didn't see the Regen.

Midway through driving a couple days ago, my regenerative braking suddenly kicked in! I had just under 600 miles on it at the time.

 

[Christ0pherus]

Appreciate your report! I just ordered a new GTS in chalk (expecting Feb 2023 delivery). Anything you would change about your build now that you spent two weeks with the car?

Alex

Congrats! You’re in for a real treat
The only thing I wish I’d gotten was the power charge port cover. Wouldn’t change anything else.

 

[Jeffrey B]

Overview
After 8 long months of anticipation, I finally took delivery of my Taycan GTS last week. Despite a supply chain crisis, a war, and a shipwreck, I was lucky enough to receive the car just 1 week later than my original delivery estimate with no markup. Redwood City Porsche was incredibly communicative and helpful throughout the process (props to Rudy!).

The first time I got behind the wheel felt amazing. I’ve driven plenty of Teslas, Benzes, and BMWs, and despite similar 0-60 times, they cannot come close to the level of presence this car has. It just feels so special. Being able to own this car is my childhood dream come true.

Photos
Before getting into my lengthy spiel, here are some glam shots taken right after PPF installation and ceramic coating were done.

First Impressions & Thoughts
Features and options are bolded.

DESIGN & QUALITY
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it’s clear that the design is second to none. I also love the GTS accents, from the gloss black rear diffusers to the side skirts and Satin Black Spyder rims. Like many GTS buyers, I opted for Chalk/Crayon paint to accentuate the black accents.

I also went for the GTS interior package with Carmine Red stitching. Race Tex is a controversial choice, but as someone who never eats in the car and has no kids or dogs, I was not worried about my ability to maintain it. I also felt like I was missing out if I got a GTS without the GTS interior. It’s comfortable and, despite what some photos suggest, does not look overbearing in person. The red stitching, seat belts, and clock also spruce up the interior a lot. If you are a clean freak like me, I highly recommend speccing the GTS interior package. I used to hate dark interiors but I absolutely love this one and wouldn’t have it another way. For me, it was worth the extra $$$.


COMFORT
Suspension is smooth and supple, even on poor roads with the chassis set to Sport+. I read a handful of journalist reviews suggesting the GTS was harsh. My experience could not be more different, having driven comfortably over pothole ridden San Francisco streets already. My BMW M340i would have given me a back ache in the same situation.

The thermally and noise insulated glass also makes the car feel like a sanctuary. It’s supremely quiet at high speeds, save for a slight wind whistle that’s only there when you listen for it. When you roll the windows down, you can see the extra layer of acoustic film sandwiched between the window panes. I haven’t driven a Taycan without it but I’m sure it does something.


HANDLING
Incredible as you might expect. This was the least surprising part yet still the most satisfying element. The steering is surgically precise and confidence inspiring. I also spec’d it with PDCC and Rear Wheel Steering. PDCC flattens body roll and you can toggle PDCC in the instrument cluster to watch the chassis magic happen. I’m sure it already has neutral cornering even without PDCC, but it’s one of those things where I would’ve felt FOMO for not getting it.

Rear Wheel Steering and Power Steering Plus also work in concert to make the turning radius like a bus. Navigating tight spaces and U-turns is so much easier than it was in my BMW. RWS also makes the car noticeably more planted when going through high speed twists and turns.


ACCELERATION
Lightning fast, though hard to discern from a 4S in everyday driving. I haven’t tried launch control but the fact that I can put trucks and Priuses in my rear view mirror in the blink of an eye without spewing exhaust and obnoxious fart sounds is a great feeling. Speaking of sounds, the Electric Sport Sound is awesome. I had a rear passenger who found it to be a bit too loud in sport mode but it adds a nice visceral element for front seat occupants. The GTS Sport sound is definitely louder and deeper than in other models. However, I wish there was a way to turn it on by default rather than configuring it in individual mode and twisting the sport chrono dial every time I start the car. Strange choice from Porsche not to save the setting…


PARKING
This is my one driving criticism. Backing up out of steep driveways was a bit tricky at first. My driveway has a downward grade, so backing uphill is tricky since the car’s e-brake kicks in when you press tap the brakes on an incline, and then the car will jerk because it can’t decide whether to keep reversing or to stop. This will take some getting used to.


BRAKING AND REGEN
I did not spec $9k PCCBs as I was counting on using regen most of the time. But I do find it odd that, like Electric Sport Sound, you have to manually enable regen every time you start the car. When it is enabled, modulating the brake pedal feels very natural like an ICE car. But I do feel a slight click whenever pressing the brake lightly, and I’ve heard others in the forum report something similar. It doesn’t bother me but I do wonder why that happens. I also suspect regen is throttled since Porsche wants the brakes to be “bedded” first. I will reassess in a few hundred miles.


INFOTAINMENT / PCM
The Head Up Display is better than I thought. Coming from a BMW I thought I would be disappointed, but it turns out to suit my needs just fine. The height and layout are pretty customizable and show you the basic info you need. Also, polarized sunglasses wash out my BMW’s HUD but not the Taycan’s.

The Passenger Display is also a nice touch. My partner is an aviation/map geek so he loves to mess with it when I am driving. When there are no passengers, it just shows a “Taycan “ screensaver which is a nice aesthetic touch. Note that you cannot use this display unless a passenger is present.

The PCM functions reasonably well, with CarPlay, Android Auto, HomeLink, SmartLife, and Nav all working as expected. However, there is one big software gremlin: I am still unable to access my Porsche account on the PCM unit. It keeps forcing me to proceed in Guest Mode and disable private mode EVERY time I start the car. My account is authenticated, but when I switch to it, the loading screen appears forever and then times out with an account activation error. I’m getting this checked out in a few weeks at the dealer (and yes, I’ve scoured the forums and did everything they suggested to fix the issue, with no luck). This is my biggest gripe so far because I cannot use any of the remote functions on the My Porsche app. It mistakenly indicates the car is in Private Mode (side note- if anyone else experienced this issue, please let me know).

The Bose Stereo is nothing to write home about. It's exactly like any Bose Sound System should be and gives you the basic controls to configure Surround Sound. It's good, but not surprisingly so.


RANGE AND CHARGING
When I took delivery, my starting range was around 213 miles at 100% SoC. I did a lot of joyrides on highways so I think it’s a low estimate. When I resume regular daily driving, which is predominantly local city streets for just a few miles to and from work, I think I can get closer to to 270 miles.

Charging is easy, for the most part. I installed the Mobile Charger Connect unit with a 14-50 NEMA socket and it sustains a 9-11 kw current. One thing I did not find intuitive, though, is that if you want to schedule the battery to charge overnight and stop at say, 85%, you need to enable two things: 1) General Profile to set your preferred charging times and 2) Charge Timer with a maximum desired SoC.

I also have two Electrify America stations within a mile of me, so I enabled Plug and Charge and tried it out. I know EA has its share of issues but it worked great for me.

My only minor regret is not having gotten the power charge port. It’s a gimmick worth having and adds contrast to an otherwise homogenous side profile. It’s plain cool. As a consolation, I did opt for the “electric” lettering on the side, which I know some people don’t like, but it has gotten a fair share of compliments!


BONUS
I got this car to fulfill my passion, not for the status. But a side effect (or benefit, if that’s your thing) is that the car attracts a great deal of attention. In Chalk guise, it’s different enough from white such that people notice, and the louder GTS sport sound makes onlookers think a UFO is about to abduct them . Even in the SF Bay Area, a mecca for Porsches, the car turns lots of heads.


Anyway, if you actually read this far, thanks for enduring my long spiel. I hope it was helpful. Here’s to many more happy miles!

Great post. I have same feelings about my GTS- great car in so many ways. I only wish the non-race tex interiors had the GTS badges on steering wheel and head rests as I feel every GTS owner regardless of interior should have those design features. great post. enjoy.