Why is the Taycan so long?

[DerekS]

It's long because for some stupid reason they added 2 extra unnecessary seats and doors.

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[whan]

I mean, SUVs (especially CUVs) are generally more efficient from a width/length perspective than sedans in general. That’s why they’re so popular among the general population

From a length perspective, because the passenger compartment is taller, and is often raised up further from the driveline components, occupants can sit up more vertically while remaining comfortable. Because you can mount the seat higher from the floor, your legs don’t need to go as far forward because there is more space vertically. Particularly for the front seat occupants, you need less front to back length overall for the same level of comfort

On the width side, modern SUVs are designed as more flat sided, whereas cars are usually more curved in. Just compare the profile of the Taycan CT and Cayenne. The windows on the Taycan are noticeably narrower relative to the overall width vs. the Cayenne. This isn’t as much the case for all wagons/sedans but in general SUV design language favors a boxier profile, which is more efficient with respect to interior volume

Finally, design-forward cars like the Taycan are just generally inefficient overall. Swooping rooflines, strong shoulderlines, etc. all come at an expense of interior room. Look at how big a bmw 8 series coupe is externally, despite the fact that it’s a 2+2 with a pretty small backseat.

 

[RichJ]

The long length (and width) of the Taycan is why I kept my trusty 2015 BMW 228i when I bought the Taycan. The BMW is about 175 inches long. About the same length as a similarly aged Cayman. I still drive the Taycan much more frequently than the BMW because the Taycan is so much fun to drive. I mostly use the BMW to drive to the city, stadiums or Costco for ease of parking.
I do like the mock up of a coupe version of the Taycan (easily found on google).
I agree with Derek: I would love a two door Taycan with no back seats with a length about 10 inches shorter than the current Taycan.

 

[j.w.s]

It's long because for some stupid reason they added 2 extra unnecessary seats and doors.

So true! I thnk I mentioned it in another thread, but the Taycan would look awesome as a two-door two-seat GT, 14" shorter. Just cut out the "foot garage" space.

 

[SlyStyle]

Also: do people find this frustrating in tight parking spaces, eg hospital parking garages or mall parking? Don't want to spend all my time trying to find a park to protect my precious

Not with the rear axle steering option. It’s a must-have IMO

 

[DerekS]

Also: do people find this frustrating in tight parking spaces, eg hospital parking garages or mall parking? Don't want to spend all my time trying to find a park to protect my precious

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but that's Porsche life.

Source: experience since 1998.

 

[whitex]

Also: do people find this frustrating in tight parking spaces, eg hospital parking garages or mall parking? Don't want to spend all my time trying to find a park to protect my precious

Rear wheel steering helps there.

 

[DCYL725]

The long length (and width) of the Taycan is why I kept my trusty 2015 BMW 228i when I bought the Taycan. The BMW is about 175 inches long. About the same length as a similarly aged Cayman. I still drive the Taycan much more frequently than the BMW because the Taycan is so much fun to drive. I mostly use the BMW to drive to the city, stadiums or Costco for ease of parking.
I do like the mock up of a coupe version of the Taycan (easily found on google).
I agree with Derek: I would love a two door Taycan with no back seats with a length about 10 inches shorter than the current Taycan.

The bmw looks seriously boring here next to the taycan.

 

[abatis]

The length and width are fine for me. The tiny center console with the FUBAR lid is my main beef.

 

[Leverage]

The CT is wider & longer than my previous Grand Cherokee which was already a "big car" here in Belgium. It felt even bigger when I drove it for the first month. Because you are so low in the car it feels you are taking up all the road. Now I'm used to it and the car feels smaller. Go figure. I also love the rear wheels steerings and I ALWAYS use the 360° camera & rims camera when I'm parking. It helps a lot.

The more you will drive it and the less you will notice the length & width of the car.

 

[trogger]

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but that's Porsche life.

Source: experience since 1998.

I’m more worried about my wife’s reaction TBH… she was reminding me how we used to spend “extra” time parking my Boxster, looking for a space that was sufficiently safe. The width is going to make this harder. Not complaining, just thinking things through in anticipation as it makes its way slowly here

 

[DerekS]

I’m more worried about my wife’s reaction TBH… she was reminding me how we used to spend “extra” time parking my Boxster, looking for a space that was sufficiently safe. The width is going to make this harder. Not complaining, just thinking things through in anticipation as it makes its way slowly here

You'll want to park it as far away as possible. The ONE time you don't is the time the car will be damaged by some thoughtless jerk.

And no one can be trusted. NO ONE. Not your friends, not your coworkers.

My advice is start prepping the wife for the parking neurosis now. When I met my wife I was already deep into the Porsche cult so I educated her from day one.

 

[DerekS]

Also, some strategies to consider:

- It's always better to be in the rightmost spot in a row if you can. All cars have drivers, but only some cars have passengers, so that lessens your chance of exposure.

- Park as close to the right curb as you can to give yourself as much space as possible. Use the overhead view so you don't curb rash your rims doing this.

 

[TDinDC]

I am a big believer in not worrying about damage to the car too much. You can fix damage or get a new car. The more you go to extremes to protect the car against damage, the more likely it seems that your car will be damaged (or even targeted if the care is too obvious).

Once a car becomes too precious to me, I sell it. I derive the most pleasure from really driving my vehicles without worry. Better to have a 944 that you would drive anywhere and to the limit than a Bugatti that you will not drive in the rain or snow or parallel park. No fan of saving girlfriend for her next boyfriend (or whatever variation plays to your band).

My Taycan has Rear Axle Steering. I have never had one that didn't so I can't really compare, but I will say that I am a HUGE fan of this. My Taycan has a super tight turning radius. Despite its length, it turns like a mini. Length has never been a problem, or even really noticeable to me. One word of caution is that RAS causes the car to turn so tightly that I slightly curbed my right rear wheel during my first week of ownership because the car turned so much more sharply than I thought was possible.

It is a wide car. The mirrors in particular can feel a bit dumboesque, but the car starts to feel more comfortable as you spend more time with it.

 

[tutis]

The overall size is more of a problem than I had envisaged.

The width and the length are an issue for parking in old towns and underground parkings in France and Italy. If the car was 4.70m long or less it would be a great deal more convenient.

At ~4.60m, a 911 is (dare I say) "widely more convient" for parking purposes

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