16 minute read
MOTORS Porsche’s Taycan
MOTORS
ESTATE OF THE ART
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A truly versatile option or a Jack of all trades but master of none? Let’s find out, as Porsche releases the Cross Turismo of its newest Taycan model, the firm’s first dedicated all electric vehicle...
Words: Rob Davis.
I’M NOT SURE. I think I’m indecisive, but I can’t be certain. Fortunately, Porsche has the ideal car for me... and for anyone else who isn’t sure whether they want to drive an estate car, a 4x4 crossover, a sports car, a GT or an eco-friendly electric vehicle. To profess to be able to tick all of those boxes in a single vehicle is quite an undertaking. But Porsche presents its Taycan Cross Turismo as all of the above and more.
Porsche’s traditional lineup of its Cayman and Boxster sports cars and its 911 flagship, plus its Macan and Cayenne off-roaders. To that the firm latterly added its Panamera sports saloon and estate cars. And now, there’s the Taycan, which is the firm’s only all-electric range, designed to take the brand into a new era defined by electrification and prove that the electric vehicles it will have to offer in the future can still offer an engaging drive, commensurate with the brand.
The Taycan has been designed from the ground up on a new, purpose-designed platform known as J1. That reflects the extent to which Porsche has accommodated the necessary engineering for electrification.
A four-door coupé was released in 2019, and now there’s this variant, the Cross Turismo. With a slightly more practical boot – akin to a shooting brake rather than a true estate – the car offers more practicality, and it has a slightly elevated ride height. All versions offer all wheel drive although it’s better to think of the Cross Turismo as road-going vehicle rather than a crossover vehicle. >>
Plug In Power: The best new electric car options...
Polestar 2, £46,900: You’ve never heard of Polestar? Well, you’ll have heard of Volvo, the brand’s parent company. Whilst Volvo has recently committed to produce only full-electric vehicles by 2030, phasing out its current mild and plug-in hybrids, Polestar will meanwhile serve as an existing ‘premium’ all electric sister-brand. This well-priced five-door, five-seater fastback model is very well equipped (adaptive cruise, 360° camera), it sprints to 60mph in less than five seconds and will travel for 292 miles between charges. n
Mercedes Benz EQC 400 £65,720: This Mercedes SUV is very deliberately styled to look like the company’s conventionally-engined GLC, perhaps in order to prove more reassuringly familiar to buyers skeptical of new brands like Teslas and Polestar. Thought more expensive than the Polestar, it does have a loftier ride height – ideal for our broken road surfaces – and all wheel drive. Its range of 241-255 miles and 5.1 second 0-60mph time is consistent with competitors, and there are sportier looking models if you’re so inclined – but we’d stick to the base model and add the company’s excellent Driving Assistance package. n
Kia Sorento PHEV ‘4’ £53,095: Still not convinced by a full-electric vehicle? Well, there are plenty of plug-in hybrid models with conventional engines when the charge runs out. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the most popular in the UK, not least because of its practical SUV shape. Emissions regulations mean the firm won’t sell its new version over here. Instead we recommend the Sorento PHEV: seven seats, a big boot, a range of 176mpg, plus tonnes of standard equipment like adaptive cruise, 360° camera and leather. n >> As usual, Porsche offers a base model Cross Turismo, with 476ps power, then a mid-range ‘S’ version with 571ps and then flagship Turbo and Turbo S versions (though without a turbocharger, given that they aren’t applicable to electric vehicles), with 680ps and 761ps.
The base model costs just shy of £80,000, provides 242-336 miles of range and can be recharged in 10.5 hours from flat using a standard household socket – faster using dedicated chargers. In terms of performance, 60mph is dispatched under five seconds and the car will achieve 137mph on a track day.
Naturally the two more expensive models will better performance figures – albeit at the expense of achievable range – but there’s
no need whatsoever to seek more power than the base model provides and, topping out at £140,000, we’d plump for the base model, save some cash and add a few options instead. Speaking of which, for a car north of £80,000, there are quite a number of options that really ought to be standard. Part leather seats are standard, vegan leather or full leather commands between £2,500 and £4,000. Folding mirrors, park assist, keyless entry, adaptive cruise, heated seats or steering wheel and a reversing camera are all options. We’d stick to the base model and add those creature comforts, rather than opting for superfluous extra performance. The Taycan Cross Turismo – as opposed to the four door coupé – isn’t overwhelmed by competitors (yet), and remains a reasonably unique prospect. It’s stylish, with as many eco-credentials as a sports car can boast. Part estate, part crossover, part sports car and part luxury tourer, we’re tempted to say that it’s a Jack of all trades and master of none. But it’s still a hugely desirable machine. n
PORSCHE TAYCAN CROSS TURISMO
Price: £79,340. (On sale now). Drivetrain: 476ps (overboost) electric drivetrain with all wheel drive and two-speed transmission. Performance: 0-62 mph: 5.1 seconds. Top Speed: 137mph. Range: 242-336 miles, 0g CO2 . Equipment: 19” wheels, part-leather interior, sat nav via Porsche Communication Module, 8-way electric seats. n
DEFENDER
OF THE FAITH
Land Rover’s new Defender is a technical tour de force but has attracted criticism for having a high price tag diametrically opposed to its original role as a cheap, reliable, no-frills vehicle. The launch this month of a new V8 flagship with its eye-watering six-figure price tag is unlikely to change its critics opinions, but it’s sure to prove desirable...
Words: Rob Davis.
Land Rover Defenders of old were tough as Land Rover Defenders of old were tough as old boots, cramped, uncomfortable and slow. old boots, cramped, uncomfortable and slow. The new version, released in February last The new version, released in February last year provided a vehicle worthy of the brand’s year provided a vehicle worthy of the brand’s reputation for creating 4x4 vehicles with reputation for creating 4x4 vehicles with formidable capabilities, but it also came with formidable capabilities, but it also came with an eye-watering price tag, beginning at an eye-watering price tag, beginning at £45,000 and rising to Range Rover money. £45,000 and rising to Range Rover money. Critics grumbled at the car’s huge price in Critics grumbled at the car’s huge price in contrast to the likes of Ford’s Ranger – thecontrast to the likes of Ford’s Ranger – the UK’s best-selling pickup truck UK’s best-selling pickup truck – and few– and few farmers would choose a new Defender to farmers would choose a new Defender to shift their hay bales and spring lambs, shift their hay bales and spring lambs, regardless of its off-road prowess. regardless of its off-road prowess. Arguably, the car is more akin to what the Arguably, the car is more akin to what the Discovery 5 should have been, and the Discovery 5 should have been, and the Defender ought to have been more basic; less Defender ought to have been more basic; less digital, more analogue, certainly cheaper. digital, more analogue, certainly cheaper. Land Rover bucked the trend to produce a Land Rover bucked the trend to produce a cheap, rugged 4x4 in favour of another luxury cheap, rugged 4x4 in favour of another luxury 4x4, and despite the imminent release of a 4x4, and despite the imminent release of a plug-in hybrid version, it’s also bucked the plug-in hybrid version, it’s also bucked the current trend for eco-friendly motoring to current trend for eco-friendly motoring to produce this new flagship version powered by produce this new flagship version powered by a whopping 5.0V8 engine. a whopping 5.0V8 engine. In three-door 90 form it carries a price In three-door 90 form it carries a price tag of... wait for it... £98,500. Five door 110 tag of... wait for it... £98,500. Five door 110 versions weigh in at £101,150. versions weigh in at £101,150. To put that into context, you can opt for a To put that into context, you can opt for a range-topping Range Rover Autobiography range-topping Range Rover Autobiography for less than £10,000 more, or for a base model for less than £10,000 more, or for a base model Range Rover with a saving of £15,000. Range Rover with a saving of £15,000. But the decision to purchase a Defender with But the decision to purchase a Defender with a V8 will be a lifestyle purchase, one made a V8 will be a lifestyle purchase, one made with the heart, not the head. Objectively, it’s with the heart, not the head. Objectively, it’s tricky to justify, but for the so-inclined, tricky to justify, but for the so-inclined, it’s likely that the Defender V8’s menacing it’s likely that the Defender V8’s menacing appearance, 525hp engine and ability to clear appearance, 525hp engine and ability to clear 60mph in less than five seconds is unlikely to 60mph in less than five seconds is unlikely to make you look elsewhere. make you look elsewhere. For the money, not only does the vehicle For the money, not only does the vehicle look formidable but it also retains its look formidable but it also retains its more modest four cylinder and six cylinder more modest four cylinder and six cylinder siblings’ practicality. 90 models still provide siblings’ practicality. 90 models still provide five or six seats, whilst 110 models can five or six seats, whilst 110 models can provide seven seats. provide seven seats. Despite the questionable merit of the car’s Despite the questionable merit of the car’s standard fit 22” alloy wheels in off-road standard fit 22” alloy wheels in off-road situations, standard air suspension allows situations, standard air suspension allows for greater ground clearance, whilst Terrain for greater ground clearance, whilst Terrain Response 2 configures the car’s off-road Response 2 configures the car’s off-road systems in rough conditions, and the vehicle systems in rough conditions, and the vehicle has both high-range and low-range gears has both high-range and low-range gears for really tough conditions. for really tough conditions. Meanwhile, in the cabin, there are supple Meanwhile, in the cabin, there are supple Windsor-leather coverings for the seats Windsor-leather coverings for the seats which also have suedecloth inserts. The same which also have suedecloth inserts. The same seats are electrically adjustable, heated, and seats are electrically adjustable, heated, and cooled, and there’s heated rear seats too, plus cooled, and there’s heated rear seats too, plus leather on the dashboard. Other creature leather on the dashboard. Other creature comforts include a 700w Meridian-branded comforts include a 700w Meridian-branded stereo, wireless phone charging, and a heated stereo, wireless phone charging, and a heated steering wheel. steering wheel.
Style wise, the car comes with several typi-Style wise, the car comes with several typi- Alongside the new V8 version of Defender Alongside the new V8 version of Defender cally menacing cally menacing – perhaps gloomy – perhaps gloomy – paint – paint comes an XS model, which provides a little comes an XS model, which provides a little options, plus dark Shadow Atlas exterior options, plus dark Shadow Atlas exterior of the V8’s sporty look but with a more of the V8’s sporty look but with a more trim and quad-exhaust pipes, plus blue brake trim and quad-exhaust pipes, plus blue brake modest engine. This might be a more sensible modest engine. This might be a more sensible callipers and Matrix LED headlights. callipers and Matrix LED headlights. option for those seeking the look but without option for those seeking the look but without The car’s suspension, transmission, springs, The car’s suspension, transmission, springs, the excessive power and excessive price tag. the excessive power and excessive price tag. dampers and electronic differential have alldampers and electronic differential have all But whoever said this car was about being But whoever said this car was about being been upgraded to handle the increase in been upgraded to handle the increase in sensible or modest? To our mind the V8 sensible or modest? To our mind the V8 power, and solid anti-roll bars help to power, and solid anti-roll bars help to Defender is a dubious triumph of excess, Defender is a dubious triumph of excess, keep cornering forces in check. The Terrain keep cornering forces in check. The Terrain but to its intended market, it’ll be a hugely but to its intended market, it’ll be a hugely Response also has a Dynamic setting which Response also has a Dynamic setting which desirable, hugely powerful object of desire desirable, hugely powerful object of desire sharpens up the driving experience. sharpens up the driving experience. that will roar out of showrooms. nthat will roar out of showrooms. n
DEFENDER V8
Price: £101,150 (110, on sale now). Engine: 5.0 V8 525hp Supercharged petrol engine. Performance: 60mph in 5.1 seconds, 149mph. Equipment: 22” wheels, Pivi Pro nav, leather, V8 badge . n
Audi’s All-Electric Flagship
Audi isn’t about to let the Tesla Model S steal the blossoming market for performance-oriented electric saloons. Its response to Elon Musk’s challenger is this four-door coupé model, all electric, all powerful, and perhaps all-conquering...
ELECTRIC CARS are taking the market by storm, and they’re successfully casting off their frugal, sensible image as manufacturers like Tesla, Mercedes and now Audi bring to market desirable electric saloons that offer more than their fair share of oomph. This is the Audi E-tron GT. It’s powered by an 84kWh motor and is available in a two/all wheel drive GT, all-wheel drive Quattro version and range-topping RS E-tron GT versions. Top speed is 152mph, 60mph is reached and breached in a rapid 4.1 seconds, but the twist in the tale is the zero-CO2 emissions and fuel-free 280mpg-303mpg. Audi’s modern Virtual Cockpit system brings navigation, infotainment and voice control as standard, whilst the cabin has three-zone climate control, eight-way electrically adjustable electric heated seats with operation ventilation and massage. Being a thoroughly modern, most of its interior surfaces are made of recycled materials and there’s a vegan leather-free option for the upholstery.
Air suspension and all wheel drive are options, for those who want to finesse the car’s handling further, but with enormous wheels from 19-21 inches, the car is fighting against its ‘style-over-comfort’ rims.
Against the likes of Tesla’s Model S, the Audi looks sharp, it’s well-specified and offers power and range. It’s a bit of a halfway house between a true sports car and an executive saloon... but as a statement of style, it’s a thoroughly modern prospect. n
Audi E-tron GT
Price: £79,900 £133,340 (on sale May). Drivetrain: 84kWh electric motor with, two and four wheel drive. Interior: Three or four seats configuration, virtual cockpit, leatherfree option. n
Ferrari Owners Day
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE’S THE FIXTURE FOR FIRST NATIONAL FERRARI OWNERS’ DAY
FERRARI Careful planning is be a curated Ferrari Timeline, underway for this Covid-19 representing every possible secure outdoor event, organised model and era of production by the Ferrari Owners’ Club of from Italy’s most illustrious Great Britain, but welcoming marque. Ferrari visitors to the all Ferrari owners from across show can display their pride the UK to attend as the British and joy in the Meguiars’ Pride motoring scene restarts. of Ownership Trophy – not a The event will be held on concours, but an opportunity held at the historic Sywell for owners who keep their car Aerodrome in Northampton- in excellent order to compete shire on Saturday 5th June. for the free-to-enter Meguiars’ At the heart of the event will Trophy. n
Land Rover’s Classic Defender is ready for an adventure...
LAND ROVER If you’ve been left feeling underwhelmed by the brand new V8 Defender we’ve featured this month, how about this? It’s Land Rover Classic’s Defender Works V8 Trophy, one of just 25 that will be built by Land Rover in 2021. A 5.0-litre V8 petrol powertrain, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, uprated suspension, steering and braking packages, are standard, as are a wide range of upgrades specifically for serious off-road adventures. n
Tempus fugit, and does this!
TEMPUS EDITION ROLLS ROYCE SPECIAL EDITIONS INSPIRED BY TIME, ASTRONOMY AND THE INFINITE UNIVERSE... ROLLS ROYCE Rolls Royce is releasing a special edition of its pinnacle phantom limousine with a new bespoke paint finish, Kairos Blue, which incorporates mica flakes to produce a subtle sparkling effect, mimicking stars in the night sky. The car’s headlining features fibre-optic lighting and intricate Bespoke embroidery, whilst a Hand-painted Tempus Champagne Chest accompanies each vehicle, comprising thermal flasks for chilling both champagne and caviar, four hand-blown crystal champagne flutes arranged like the layout of a V12 engine and... a fine mother-of-pearl caviar spoon! n
MOTORING NEWS
In Brief
SPEED AWARENESS
SPEEDING LESS ACCEPTABLE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO, RESEARCH REVEALS...
New research from road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has revealed some positive long-term trends in relation to speeding behaviour in the UK. Motorists now considering it less acceptable to speed than they did five years ago, findings which come after recent provisional figures, released by the Department for Transport, highlighted that the number of UK road deaths was down significantly compared to the previous year due to less traffic being on the roads due to Covid. Out of the 2,000 motorists surveyed, 43 per cent (down from 55 per cent in 2016) thought it was acceptable to drive up to 80mph on a motorway and that 23 per cent (down from 28 per cent in 2016) thought it was acceptable to drive even faster than that. Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “Speeding consistently causes more than 4,400 casualties on UK roads each year, which is an average of 12 people a day killed or injured on UK roads.” n
