2022 Porsche Taycan GTS and Sport Turismo revealed at recent La Auto Show
What does GTS stand for? Ah, yes. How could we forget? Gran Turismo Sport. This makes the latest addition to the Taycan line-up something of a mouthful — the new Taycan GTS Sport Turismo is, in fact, the new Taycan Gran Turismo Sport Sport Turismo. Interesting.
Revealed at the LA Auto Show alongside the new Taycan GTS, the third body version of the Taycan model line shares its sporty silhouette and rearward-sloping roofline with the Taycan Cross Turismo. “The Taycan model range has grown steadily since its world premiere in 2019,” says Kevin Giek, Porsche’s Vice President of Model Line Taycan. “Three body variants with up to five engine options offer something for everyone,” he added, presumably aware there is no engine in a Taycan. Maybe he was trying to catch us out? Could there be a V8-propelled Taycan after all?! Nah, didn’t think so. “I’m particularly pleased we now also have a Taycan with the legendary GTS moniker,” he added. “This trim option is positioned above the Taycan 4S and below the Taycan Turbo derivatives, thereby representing the real sweet spot of the range.” Due to arrive in dealerships come spring 2022, the Taycan GTS saloon is priced from £104,190, while the estate-esque Sport Turismo GTS will be available from £104,990.
With up to 590bhp available in Launch Control mode, the GTS manages to reach 62mph from rest in 3.7 seconds, hitting a limited top speed of 155mph. More impressively, Porsche claims the GTS to be able to cover more than three hundred miles on a single charge.
The adaptive air suspension, including PASM, is specifically adapted to the GTS, to the benefit of the vehicle’s lateral dynamics. The set-up of the optional rear-axle steering is also sportier and the richer tone of the modified Porsche Electric Sport Sound underscores the character of the new GTS model, though whether you like synthetic engine noises from your all-electric Porsche is another matter altogether (though, as we discuss later in this issue of 911 & Porsche World, as far as safety is concerned, there is real benefit to being able to alert pedestrians to the presence of an otherwise silent sports car when driving through an urban environment).
As is traditional on a modern GTS-badged Porsche, there are numerous dark details on the exterior, such as the front apron, the bases of the exterior mirrors and the side window trims. Black Race-Tex features in the interior underscore the “elegant, dynamic ambience”, as does the standard brushed aluminium interior package, which is supplied with a black anodised finish.
Headroom in the rear of the GTS Sport Turismo more than forty-five millimetres greater than that of the Taycan sports saloon, while load capacity under the large tailgate is listed as more than 1,200 litres. Additionally, a panoramic roof with Sunshine Control is available as a new optional extra for the Taycan GTS. “What the heck is Sunshine Control?” we hear you cry. It’s not quote Helios championing a horse-drawn chariot through the sky, instead taking the form of an electrically switchable liquid crystal film in the roof, changing the panel from clear to heavily tinted at the touch of a button. This protects the car’s occupants from sun glare without darkening the interior.
The roof is divided into nine segments, which can be switched individually — a world first in the automotive sector. Moreover, in addition to the clear and heavy tint (‘Matte’, apparently), various in-between levels of light can be selected, each a predefined pattern with narrow or wide segments. Expect this technology to make its way across the Porsche product range in the not too distant future. More country-specific equipment is expected, too.