Taycan is an upcoming all-electric supercar from Porsche. Initially dubbed Mission E, the Taycan name was adopted at Porsche’s 70th birthday celebration earlier this year.

Porsche says the name is roughly translated as “lively young horse”, referencing the Porsche crest, which has featured a leaping steed since 1952. The steed is borrowed from the Stuttgart coat of arms. Stuttgart is Porsche’s hometown.

First time

For the very first time Porsche will launch an all-electric model. There are hybrid derivatives available in most of Porsche’s model line-ups, but the Taycan will herald a new era for Porsche.

Learn more about Porsche’s electrification strategy by clicking here.

The Taycan will be powered by electric motors alone with a system output of over 440 kW. Porsche says that it will accelerate the sportscar to 100 km/h in well under 3,5 seconds and to 200 km/h in under twelve seconds. The vehicle’s maximum range is said to be over 500 km according to the NEDC.

Porsche says the lithium-ion battery that powers the Taycan is made up of approximately four hundred cells, each with 4 volts of power. In just 15 minutes, the battery can be charged to offer 400 km of range.

Read up on Porsche buying a stake in electric hypercar manufacturer Rimac by clicking here. 

Spied testing

The all-model is only due for release next year, but it has been spied undergoing dynamic testing at the Nurburgring. In the video below you can hear, err… squealing tyres as the test mule is hustled through corners by the test driver.

As it is electric there is no engine note to speak of, which will disappoint some. Porsche tried to pass the Taycan off as a Panamera by adding stickers to create fake headlamps and adding a set of fake tailpipes. But the lack of any engine noise is a dead giveaway.