Taycan “Race” To Tromsø – Winter 2025

[tigerbalm]

Day 8: Tromsø (Norway) / Rest Day

Today is primarily a rest day after the long week driving from Dublin. However we’re here to chase the Northern Lights and if we’ve any chance of seeing them we’ll be out there.

We awake to it snowing heavily outside our hotel window: not a good start!

Snowing in Tromsø by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

However, the forecast calls for the snow stopping late afternoon and for much lower cloud cover by 19:00 in the evening. Additionally the Aurora KP figures are high again tonight – increasing our chances if we get any break in the clouds.

As night falls, we head out for some food in the snow covered roads of Tromsø and avoid any temptation of alcohol with dinner.

Tromsø city centre by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

After food we notice that we can see some stars even from the bright lights of the city and so we pack up our equipment into the car and head to the same viewing place as last night.

And wow – what a difference this time. The lights are already out when we arrive and are clearly visible to the naked eye through our windscreen. The car park is busy tonight – including tour buses – so we grab our equipment and head along the path that we took last night to get away from both the light pollution and other people.

All the images here are unprocessed and are exactly as they were captured by our Hasselblad camera. Its large medium format sensor is incredibly sensitive, allowing it to capture so much light that the images appear to have been taken during the day, despite the fact that they were actually taken in almost complete darkness.

Northern Lights by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Northern Lights by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Northern Lights by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Northern Lights by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Northern Lights by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Northern Lights by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

While the location we were in is easily accessible from Tromsø, it lacks the most picturesque views. Since aurora activity is expected to persist for a few more hours, we decide to relocate to another location that offers a better view of Grøtfjord fjord. If the lights are visible from here, we’ll have a better opportunity to capture a more aesthetically pleasing photo composition.

Once again, we set up our cameras, facing northward.

Camera setup by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

However, the weather does not co-operate and instead we get a fresh fall of snow.

Trying different location by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Okay, we’re still very pleased with the night experiences. Especially, we can now not only photograph the lights but also to have seen them so clearly to the naked eye in greens and purples.

However, it’s going to be quite a challenging drive back to Tromsø in the snow.

Driving in snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr



This car is certainly not “minded” in a garage – instead it is very much our “adventure” car – and what a capable vehicle it has proven to be.

Porsche Taycan in the snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We park back up in the underground tunnel car park under the city where the airflow across the car is evident from where the snow sticks.

Parked with snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We’re still driving and exploring on that unplanned IONITY charge on our way up to Tromsø.

Today we did 92 km over 5:08 hours, with an average speed of 26 km/h, consuming 25.2 kWh/100km.

 

[tigerbalm]

Day 9: Tromsø (Norway) / Snowmobiles

Today, it snowed heavily throughout the day and night. As darkness fell, we headed back out of the city and charged our vehicle at the same IONITY we had used the last time.

Charging in the snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

With the snow still falling.

Charging in the snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Leaving interesting heat patterns on the front of our Taycan

Interesting heat patterns on the front of the Taycan by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We arrived at this IONITY with only 5% state of charge – relatively low for the conditions in this region.

Arriving in with a low state of charge by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We then park up at the "adventure" centre.

Parked up by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Where we pick up our snowmobile.

Snowmobiles by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And head off into a nearby mountain forest route. It is very dark, but with the sky remaining full of snow – we only get a very faint glimpse of the aurora.

It was only a combination of the strong aurora activity (KP 5) and remoteness of our location that we saw them at all.

Faint aurora by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

After a few hours of fun on our first snowmobile driving experience – we drive back to Tromsø through the still falling snow.

Leaving an intense amount of it stuck to the car when we park up.

Intense amounts of snow on the car by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

The days charging stats

Location	Start SOC %	End SOC %	kWh added	Cost	Duration	Ambient Temp	Battery Temp	Charger Type	Network
IONITY ⁨ Nordkjosbotn	5%	96%	82.92	€13.15	57 mins	-1.5C	13C	DC 350 kW	IONITY

Today we did 214 km over 4:21 hours, with an average speed of 67 km/h, consuming 23.5 kWh/100km.

 

[Donlam]

Location	Start SOC %	End SOC %	kWh added	Cost	Duration	Ambient Temp	Battery Temp	Charger Type	Network
IONITY ⁨ Nordkjosbotn	5%	96%	82.92	€13.15	57 mins	-1.5C	13C	DC 350 kW	IONITY

The Ionity Nordkjosbotn just workout 16 cents/Kwh. It is cheaper than I paid 31 cents in Ireland!

But much cheaper energy needed to offset such cold weather.

 

[tigerbalm]

Location	Start SOC %	End SOC %	kWh added	Cost	Duration	Ambient Temp	Battery Temp	Charger Type	Network
IONITY ⁨ Nordkjosbotn	5%	96%	82.92	€13.15	57 mins	-1.5C	13C	DC 350 kW	IONITY

The Ionity Nordkjosbotn just workout 16 cents/Kwh. It is cheaper than I paid 31 cents in Ireland!

But much cheaper energy needed to offset such cold weather.

Yes, electricity prices in Norway are among the lowest in Europe. But they are rising. We only paid 7c/kWh at IONITY when we first came here in 2022.

 

[cityhpper]

That Turbo S sure looks good when covered in snow. No garage queen

Is this the tird winter on the Pirellies? How do they hold up againts fresh snow at around 0 C? Quite incredible that they also takes the [pluss 200 km/h] beating of the Autobahn... !

 

[tigerbalm]

That Turbo S sure looks good when covered in snow. No garage queen

Is this the tird winter on the Pirellies? How do they hold up againts fresh snow at around 0 C? Quite incredible that they also takes the [pluss 200 km/h] beating of the Autobahn... !

Yes our third winter on this set. They had 5mm (out of 7.5mm from factory) left on them as we headed on this trip. Which I think would give us one more season – though if they are anywhere near 3mm after this – we'll likely swap them for new. Our budget calls for replacing them every three years.

We haven't noticed any detention in performance since new. And though we've reported on the milder winter this year here in Norway – it was anything but in Tromsø – where conditions have been very arctic since the weekend. With heavy snowfalls while driving.

The Pirelli's did get some comments from "locals" when we went on the snowmobiles – though they were Swedish and Finnish to be fair! Folks were curious how we found them this far north – as everyone here seems to be on studded Nokian's.

But as a blended tyre – capable of Tromsø and the autobahn – we remain very impressed with what Pirelli have managed with this winter NF0. Our snow chains remain unused and we were driving in fresh 4cm of unplowed snow yesterday with zero loss of grip.

I am sure the very sophisticated all-wheel-drive of the Taycan – which is stated to be able to react five times faster than its mechanical equivalent on the 911 – is also helping.

Driving in snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Driving in snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Driving in snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Driving in snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Driving in snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

 

[f1eng]

I am sure the very sophisticated all-wheel-drive of the Taycan – which is stated to be able to react five times faster than its mechanical equivalent on the 911 – is also helping.

I am quite sure you are right. The torque control potential of an electric motor is both faster and more precise than is possible with an IC engine, particularly diesel which has no spark cut/timing potential to quickly respond.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

Thank you so very much tigerbalm for taking us along on your exciting journey. What fun even for us removed spectators. So glad your Taycan did all you asked of it well.

Thank you again!

 

[Scandinavian]

The Pirelli's did get some comments from "locals" when we went on the snowmobiles – though they were Swedish and Finnish to be fair! Folks were curious how we found them this far north – as everyone here seems to be on studded Nokian's.

But as a blended tyre – capable of Tromsø and the autobahn – we remain very impressed with what Pirelli have managed with this winter NF0.

Yes the Pirelli’s are very good in snow and slush. Plus the benefit as you say to be able to do fast autobahn stints. Great tyres.

I had similar experience in Norway last year in minus 20 C and also in snow storms. They never let me down except on very icy roads in round abouts where they started to slide a bit.

I also had a chance to try out some Nokian Nordic studless winter tyres by swapping cars with a 4 S. they were even better due to being softer, but they probably would not be as good on dry roads on autobahn travel though.

On icy roads or packed snow I would love to experience some Nokian studded tyres though.


Great reports and lovely photos as always, THANKS!

 

[tigerbalm]

Day 10: Tromsø (Norway) → Narvik (Norway)

Today we start to turn south and begin the long drive back to Ireland. We return to our parked car in the tunnels beneath Tromsø, which are warm enough to have melted the snow off our car overnight.

Snow melted by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And drive through the streets of Tromsø on a quiet Sunday morning.

Quiet Sunday morning in Tromsø by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

It snowed overnight – but the diligent folks who keep Norway’s roads open during winter – have been ploughing them since early morning.

Ploughed roads by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Though it was not originally our planned stop – a combination of using more energy than expected and co-driver needing a comfort break – we stop – again – at IONITY Nordkjosbotn to pick up enough energy to reach our destination. We ended up living on energy from this station for our entire stay in Tromsø. Mostly because it turned out that our snowmobile experience was also located nearby.

Charging at IONITY Nordkjosbotn by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

The roads today are still covered in snow and icey in many corners. Our winter tires provide sufficient grip, but not as much as the “locals” in this region with their studded Nokian tires.

Icy roads by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Icy roads by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Icy roads by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

As the light begins to fade we cross over Hålogaland Bridge and into Narvik.

Crossing Hålogaland bridge into Narvik by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Our Scandic hotel looming in the distance.

Our Scandic hotel looming in the distance by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Where we’re lucky – this time – to pick up a destination charge at 22 kW.

22kW destination charge by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And head up to our room – with a view over Narvik town.

Room with a view of Narvik by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Room with a view of Narvik by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

As night arrives we head up to the roof top bar – for some food and drinks. With our apps alerting that the Aurora has strong activity overhead but not visible to us at ground level – as the snow starts to fall over the town.

Snow desending on Narvik by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

The days charging stats

Location	Start SOC %	End SOC %	kWh added	Cost	Duration	Ambient Temp	Battery Temp	Charger Type	Network
IONITY ⁨ Nordkjosbotn	22%	70%	37.52	€5.96	11 mins	-1.0C	42C	DC 350 kW	IONITY
Scandic Narvik	19%	100%	71.8	€0.00	3 hours 38 mins	0.0C	23C	AC 22 kW	Hotel

Today we did 232 km over 4:28 hours, with an average speed of 53 km/h, consuming 24.1 kWh/100km.

 

[tigerbalm]

Cheers from Narvik!

Our plans to leave early tomorrow might not work out!

Cheers from Narvik! by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

 

[tigerbalm]

Day 11: Narvik (Norway) → Mosjøen (Norway)

Bit of a long one today – and the few drinks last night won’t have helped. We grab a later than usual breakfast where it is obvious it’s been snowing overnight.

Snowing overnight by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We remotely set our car to warm up. This is not only to just make it initially comfortable – as we’re plugged into a destination charger – it will pull the energy from “shore power” to both heat up the cabin and the battery. This will result in much lower energy consumption when we start our journey.

Remote heating up the car by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We pack up the car in a now very familiar process. We use Porsche Design cases that have been made to exactly fit the Taycan – making loading that bit easier.

Packing up the car by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And continue on our journey south along the E6.

Heading south on the E6 by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Struggling to keep our sensors clear from the snow!

Struggle to keep our sensors clear of snow by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Arriving at the E6 ferry at Skarberget.

Waiting for the ferry at Skarberget by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We’re the only car here and head into the comfy waiting room to wait the 25 minutes for the next ferry.

Warm waiting room by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Finally getting our car on its own on the public traffic cameras – and they have blobbed it out for privacy reasons!

Parked on traffic camera by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

The ferry arrives on time – unlike an Irish train!

E6 ferry arrives by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And we board alongside only one other vehicle. Ruining a planned photo of being the only car on the ferry.

On board E6 ferry by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

The roads are much clearer/ploughed this side of the ferry.

The roads are much clearer/ploughed this side of ferry by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

But still has its moments.

But still has its moments by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We have hundreds of kilometres of this today.

Hundreds of kilometres of this today by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

But we still make time to unload our cameras.

Taking cameras in and out of the car by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

To capture the amazing colours of the landscape in this region.

Beautiful colours by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And admire the scenery – there is something very calming about the inland fjords.

Admiring the view by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Arriving back at that Kople charger for our only top-up of the day.

Charging at Kople Siemens charger by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

The Siemens charger boasts a large and impressive display, but we’re concerned about its durability in the harsh environment. The only way to start the charger is through the touchscreen, which we’d prefer to avoid if the screen fails. Ideally, we’d like to see either Plug & Charge or physical buttons as backup options.

Large screen charging experience by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We take the opportunity to top up our windscreen washer – which gets a lot of use in the conditions.

Re-filling windscreen washer by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

When we’ve enough energy on-board we head off into the night – to tackle the ⁨Saltfjellet⁩ and cross back over the arctic circle.

At least its open!

Saltfjellet is open by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

We’ve never down the ⁨Saltfjellet⁩ at night before.

Tackling the Saltfjellet at night by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Where it is freezing cold.

Where its a cold -11 celsius by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And heavy fog at 600 meters. We pass the arctic circle centre without having a chance to see it.

Heavy fog at 600 meters by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And make it safely over.

Made it over the Saltfjellet by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Hitting heavy snow as we pass Mo I Rana.

Heavy snow as we pass Mo I Rana by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

To safely arrive at the old town of Mosjøen.

Old town of Mosjøen by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Where we park up at our hotel for the night – the historic Fru Haugans – the oldest hotel in North Norway.

Destination charge at Fru Haugans hotel by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And are lucky to grab the only destination charger this hotel has. We got it also in 2022 – but it was in use last year. Thankfully there is both a Tesla station 50 meters away and a new IONITY station in Mosjøen that has just opened as backups.

Destination charge at Fru Haugans hotel by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

And enjoy the always reliable 22 kW AC energy flow delivered by the European 3-phase electricity standard.

22kW destination charge by Damien Glancy, on Flickr

Long and challenging one today. Arctic Circle at night ticked off though!

The days charging stats

Location	Start SOC %	End SOC %	kWh added	Cost	Duration	Ambient Temp	Battery Temp	Charger Type	Network
Kople Røkland	9%	87%	65.16	€33.48	11 mins	-5.0C	38C	DC 300 kW	Kople
Fru Haugan	19%	100%	71.8	€0.00	3 hours 39 mins	-3.5C	23C	AC 22 kW	Hotel

Today we did 502 km over 9:03 hours, with an average speed of 57 km/h, consuming 24.2 kWh/100km.

 

[tigerbalm]

They never let me down except on very icy roads in round abouts where they started to slide a bit.

Yeah, we experience the same. The solution is – unfortunately – to just go a bit slower than the locals.

Not helped by some truck bearing down on the roundabout at 80 km/h – as if its just a minor inconvenience!

 

[tigerbalm]

Night Vision Assist

At the weekend – we experienced what would amount to a television advertisement experience with our Night Vision Assist option.

We were heading to the snowmobile centre in pitch dark and driving through thick falling snow.

When these things happened almost instantly:

1. Our car automatically and aggressively braked – we could see the brake lights flashing in the reflections from the rear of the car.
2. The infra-red camera display showed up on the dashboard – with a large red box around an animal in the centre of the road.
3. The car beeped loudly and showed a warning on the left "tube" display that a "collision was imminent".
4. It was then we realised there was a giant Elk crossing the road in front of us. It looked massive.

It was crossing the road – not stopping in the middle of it – so we might have missed it anyways. We're not saying that this option "saved us" – but if it didn't it was damn close. As in 0.5 meters close.

And it worked exactly as we'd expect it to. It genuinely helped. We were watching for Elk at the time – it's always a risk - and we did not see it.

The fact it was watching for heat signatures consistently in the background is very reassuring and impressive.

We do not regret picking this option – given where we use our car.

 

[Flying ace]

wow, this is an great read. I learned that:

- The night vision is a critical safety equipment for rural area driving. I'll have to seriously consider paying up for this feature in the next car

- the Taycan's AWD system is amazing and works well with dedicated snow rated tires. It gives me confidence in my similar snow wheel/tire setup (20 inch aero wheels with Blizzak snow tires). I just haven't had the opportunity to use this this year yet as I don't live in the snow areas and only use it for ski trips which has not overlapped with days that snowed.


You mentioned the Porsche Design luggages fitting exactly into the dimensions of the car. Do you have photos of the luggages and their fitment?

Sponsored