Has Porsche Killed the Taycan?

[BenJL]

Despite having ordered a Turbo 25, I find myself wondering whether Porsche has effectively killed off the model.

Prove me wrong!

There are several reasons for my concerns:
1) The Taycan used to be Porsche's most technologically advanced and forward-thinking vehicle. Nowadays, it seems like the Macan has taken over that role. The 718EV could be the next big thing.

2) The PCM (Porsche Communication Management) and the head-up display are from an older generation. This isn’t very flattering for a vehicle at this price point.

3) The aesthetic changes go against customer expectations, especially for the Turbo model. It deviates from the Mission E concept.

4) In France, when you apply for a Lease with an Option to Buy (« LOA »), the estimated value of the Turbo model after three years is only 50%. For the Electric Macan, this estimate is 63%. Even Porsche seems to have lost faith in its own vehicle?

In short, give me reasons to be wrong ;-)

————————

To provide some explanations:

Even though I've ordered a Turbo 2025, the reasons behind my choice are very personal and I doubt they will remain viable for long... especially since Porsche is counting on this design for the next four years:

- The Taycan is the only model on the market with such short charging times, a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration, and the look of a true sports car.

- The proportions are on the edge of what's reasonable for a city car. If smaller and shorter vehicles (and thus, more maneuverable) are released, they will have a huge competitive advantage.

- The Taycan has already been in service for four years. By now they have mastered the technology and the after-sales service; it’s a reassuring choice.

- It's Porsche. This means that in two years, we can switch models and sell the lease back to Porsche (to switch to a 718 EV or a Macan).

However, the competition is close behind: Lotus, Maserati, Ferrari, Tesla (Roadster)…
All these brands have planned or have already introduced a serious competitor to the Taycan. The market in two or three years will not be the same. As I mentioned, Porsche does not plan to make aesthetic changes for another four years. By then, shareholders will likely see the Taycan as a model in decline and one to discontinue.

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[ShiftyWolf]

1) The Taycan is a .2, while the Macan is and the 718 EV will be a brand new model
2) The Taycan is a .2, not a generational update
3) I agree
4) The Taycan is a .2 while the Macan is a brand new model

 

[d00d]

They've definitely made the turbo harder to like, with the shovel shaped cladding on the front and the fake vent frippery of the rear.
Why buy it if the better HUD Macan EV meets your needs, but then why not go for something more fun like the Ioniq 5 N, which is faster than the 4S.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

[...] having ordered a Turbo 25, [...] Porsche has effectively killed off the model.

Prove me wrong!

You proved yourself wrong..?

 

[JWreck]

New to the automobile market?

 

[rim23]

They've definitely made the turbo harder to like, with the shovel shaped cladding on the front and the fake vent frippery of the rear.
Why buy it if the better HUD Macan EV meets your needs, but then why not go for something more fun like the Ioniq 5 N, which is faster than the 4S.

0-200 doesn’t mean a car is a fast one….

 

[BenJL]

You proved yourself wrong..?

New to the automobile market?

To provide some context for this post:

Even though I've ordered a Turbo 2025, the reasons behind my choice are very personal and I doubt they will remain viable for long... especially since Porsche is counting on this design for the next four years:

- The Taycan is the only model on the market with such short charging times, a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration, and the look of a true sports car.

- The proportions are on the edge of what's reasonable for a city car. If smaller and shorter vehicles (and thus, more maneuverable) are released, they will have a huge competitive advantage.

- The Taycan has already been in service for four years. By now they have mastered the technology and the after-sales service; it’s a reassuring choice.

- It's Porsche. This means that in two years, we can switch models and sell the lease back to Porsche (to switch to a 718 EV or a Macan).

However, the competition is close behind: Lotus, Maserati, Ferrari, Tesla (Roadster)…
All these brands have planned or have already introduced a serious competitor to the Taycan. The market in two or three years will not be the same. As I mentioned, Porsche does not plan to make aesthetic changes for another four years. By then, shareholders will likely see the Taycan as a model in decline and one to discontinue.

 

[McgR]

50 % after 3 years. Sign for it! Used Taycans go down much faster. Mine is worth less than 50% after 2 years. With the new model even less probably .

The market for a Taycan Turbo is much smaller than for a Macan EV this will reflect in the price.

I agree on the HUD.

Why didn’t you go for the Macan turbo and save yourself 50.000 euro ?

 

[Boss Hogg]

I’m with you and have a Gen2 turbo ST on the way so may be biased.

Gen2 is ahead of Macan for charging speed, performance, handling (especially with PAR). It lags in infotainment, hud, interior tech.

The cars clearly have different end use cases and target consumers. I’m not surprised that the Taycan will become a lower volume and niche product as Porsche rolls out EVs across their range, I just hope there is space for it longer term.

 

[d00d]

0-200 doesn’t mean a car is a fast one….

Should I have said quicker?

 

[JimBob]

- It's Porsche. This means that in two years, we can switch models and sell the lease back to Porsche (to switch to a 718 EV or a Macan).

It appears the prudent way to purchase a Taycan is via lease, though the cost is high. Borrowing an analogy from Donald Rumsfeld.

The knowns:
The cost to purchase is high
The cost to operate is low
The appeal is high
There is little confidence in resale value

The known unknowns
The cost to repair, can be very high and if out of warranty, crippling
The state of the battery is mostly unknown

This appears to be a formula for a niche car.

 

[FlyingPoint]

IMO, the Taycan will become a lower volume vehicle very similar to the 911. The Macan will likely continue to be the high volume sales generator. The Taycan is very expensive for what it is and what it is not. However, I don't think the model will cease to exist anytime soon. The Panamera was never a high volume vehicle - it is still being sold. My only complaint is that they didn't make an ICE version of it. It would have been perfect.

 

[Racer_Ex]

Despite having ordered a Turbo 25, I find myself wondering whether Porsche has effectively killed off the model.

Prove me wrong!

There are several reasons for my concerns:
1) The Taycan used to be Porsche's most technologically advanced and forward-thinking vehicle. Nowadays, it seems like the Macan has taken over that role. The 718EV could be the next big thing.

2) The PCM (Porsche Communication Management) and the head-up display are from an older generation. This isn’t very flattering for a vehicle at this price point.

3) The aesthetic changes go against customer expectations, especially for the Turbo model. It deviates from the Mission E concept.

4) In France, when you apply for a Lease with an Option to Buy (« LOA »), the estimated value of the Turbo model after three years is only 50%. For the Electric Macan, this estimate is 63%. Even Porsche seems to have lost faith in its own vehicle?

In short, give me reasons to be wrong ;-)

————————

To provide some explanations:

Even though I've ordered a Turbo 2025, the reasons behind my choice are very personal and I doubt they will remain viable for long... especially since Porsche is counting on this design for the next four years:

- The Taycan is the only model on the market with such short charging times, a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration, and the look of a true sports car.

- The proportions are on the edge of what's reasonable for a city car. If smaller and shorter vehicles (and thus, more maneuverable) are released, they will have a huge competitive advantage.

- The Taycan has already been in service for four years. By now they have mastered the technology and the after-sales service; it’s a reassuring choice.

- It's Porsche. This means that in two years, we can switch models and sell the lease back to Porsche (to switch to a 718 EV or a Macan).

However, the competition is close behind: Lotus, Maserati, Ferrari, Tesla (Roadster)…
All these brands have planned or have already introduced a serious competitor to the Taycan. The market in two or three years will not be the same. As I mentioned, Porsche does not plan to make aesthetic changes for another four years. By then, shareholders will likely see the Taycan as a model in decline and one to discontinue.

I don't disagree. Except on two points where I agreed with you 6M ago, before leasing a 2024 Turbo S.

1. Don't count on being able to sell the lease back to Porsche without taking a large loss. They won't cut you a deal and the depreciation could bite you.

2. Don't assume the bugs are worked out. This is still a beta product being sold as a finished product. My car has been in the shop off and on for a total of 13 days in 4 months. And it will likely be going back again soon if I get a 3rd "electrical system error" message. (The other issues for which it was in service were unrelated.) I also suspect all Taycans will ultimately have to go back for replacement of some battery modules. But that's just a hunch. I have no inside information.

Other than the bugs, the lack of charging infrastructure in the US, the crummy cameras, and the poor quality of the standard interior, it is a fantastic car. I love driving it.

 

[BenJL]

Why didn’t you go for the Macan turbo and save yourself 50.000 euro ?

It’s an idea I’ve often explored… but the Macan is still less focused on sportiness. The Taycan has a dual transmission system, unlike the Macan which has only one.

In terms of interior comfort, it still offers seating for four plus a small middle seat. The new Taycan and the Macan share similar ranges, but their real-world performances are not yet known. It's understood that SUVs generally perform worse on highways.

Macan: 592 km range (WLTP), 639 horsepower

Taycan: 634 km range (WLTP), 884 horsepower

So in my opinion, the extra €50,000 is worth it.

However, the coexistence of the Taycan and the Panamera won't last.

 

[ShiftyWolf]

However, the coexistence of the Taycan and the Panamera won't last.

A bit off topic but I do wonder about this myself. As Porsche (and everyone) moves further toward all electric, will the Taycan shrink to be more like a 4 door 718 and keep and electric Panamera, or will one disappear? Audi certainly did well for years with very similar yet separate car models in the 4 and 5 series, and the 6 and 7 series.

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