All-electric Taycan lineup adds a new RWD base model for 2021

It’s really no surprise Porsche’s new all-electric sedan has been a success thus far, with over 20,000 units sold in its inaugural 2020 year alone. Norwegians, in particular, love the Taycan which currently accounts for 70 per cent of all Porsche models sold. 

Sporting stellar looks and blazing fast specs with continuously available power output, all rolled into a zero emissions German rocket, what’s not to like (unless, of course, you’re one of those Porsche 2-door purists).

For 2021, Porsche is expanding the Taycan lineup with a new fourth, base variant. A good move considering the Taycan 4S — the base model at time of release — was priced just above $100,00 (and nearly $120,000 in Canada), perhaps placing the electric sedan out of reach for some buyers. 

We had a chance to test the 2020 Taycan 4S in Finland – read the full review here.

2021 Taycan price, release date, and lineup

Expect the 2021 Taycan to start at $81,250 in the US — a massive price differential compared to the 4S while still offering the goods. With the optional Performance Battery Plus upgrade (discussed below), the price increase to $87,030.

Plus, there’s the $7,500 federal EV tax credit for US customers, making the 2021 Taycan base model a sub-$80k Porsche EV in 4-door form. This base Taycan will not be available in Canada, so only three trims at the moment.

Expect the new 2021 Taycan entry model to arrive at Porsche dealerships sometime mid-March 2021. Here’s how the lineup will look:

Two Taycan battery options

Out the gate, the base Taycan comes with a single-deck Performance Battery offering a gross capacity of 79.2 kWh with a range of 431 km on a full charge. There’s also an optional two-deck Performance Battery Plus with gross capacity is 93.4 kWh, providing more range of up to 484 km. 

Porsche states the standard Performance Battery will offer a maximum charging capacity of up to 225 kW, whereas the Performance Battery Plus upgrade offers up to 270 kW.

The first rear-wheel drive Taycan

Unlike its siblings, the base Taycan only comes with a rear-wheel drive powertrain with a pulse-controlled inverter on the rear axle operating at up to 600 amps. The motor on the rear axle has an active length of 130mm — the same length as the one fitted to the Taycan 4S. The entire system works on a two-speed transmission architecture.

Interior and styling 

On the styling front, the 2021 Taycan sits on 19-inch Taycan Aero wheels pairs to black anodised brake callipers. LED headlights come standard and the 4S’s black front apron, side sills and rear diffuser find their way on this new base model. 

Inside, the the Taycan’s cabin is more or less the same as its pricier counterpart: from the 10.9-inch infotainment display (and optional passenger display) and eight-way electric front seats to two luggage compartments and an entirely leather-free interior as optional — a Porsche first.