When Porsche announced they were going electric, purists wailed that the soul of Stuttgart was being sold to Silicon Valley. The 2021 Taycan Turbo S proves those fears completely unfounded. This isn’t just an electric car with a Porsche badge; it’s a proper sports sedan that happens to run on electrons instead of gasoline.

First Impressions: Familiar Yet Revolutionary

Slide into the Taycan’s cockpit and you’re immediately reminded this is a Porsche. The driving position is perfect, with that classic five-gauge cluster (now digital) sweeping across the dashboard. The steering wheel feels exactly right in your hands, and the seats hold you with the same Germanic precision you’d expect from a 911.

But thumb the starter button and silence greets you. No rumbling flat-six, no crackling exhaust note. Just a gentle hum and the subtle whir of cooling fans. It’s disconcerting at first, but that feeling evaporates the moment you flex your right foot.

Performance: Instant Gratification Redefined

The Taycan Turbo S delivers 750 horsepower in overboost mode, channeled through all four wheels via a sophisticated dual-motor setup. The acceleration is simply violent: 0-60 mph arrives in just 2.6 seconds with a seamless, relentless surge that pins you to the seat backing.

Unlike many EVs that feel artificially quick but numb, the Taycan communicates beautifully through its controls. The steering is telepathically precise, the brakes offer perfect pedal feel despite the regenerative system, and the chassis balance is pure Porsche. Through corners, it rotates with the eager willingness of a much smaller car, defying its 5,200-pound curb weight.

The Two-Speed Advantage

Porsche’s decision to fit a two-speed transmission on the rear axle pays dividends. First gear delivers explosive acceleration from standstill, while second gear maintains strong pull at highway speeds. It’s a technical tour de force that gives the Taycan usable performance across a broader range than single-speed rivals.

Range and Charging: The Real-World Reality

The EPA rates the Turbo S at 192 miles of range, which sounds modest compared to Tesla’s claims. In practice, driving the Taycan enthusiastically will see that number drop quickly. But Porsche’s 800-volt architecture enables incredibly fast DC charging: 10-80% in just 22.5 minutes when plugged into a 350kW Electrify America station.

This changes the road trip equation entirely. Rather than planning around slow, long charging sessions, you can grab a coffee and be back on the road before you’ve finished scrolling through your phone. For daily driving, the range proves more than adequate, and the included home charging setup makes morning departures effortless.

Interior: Tech Meets Tradition

The Taycan’s cabin showcases Porsche’s vision of digital luxury. The curved 16.8-inch instrument cluster flows seamlessly into the central touchscreen, while a third display handles climate controls. It looks stunning and responds crisply, though some functions require too many menu dives for simple adjustments.

Material quality is exemplary, with soft leather, genuine carbon fiber, and precisely fitted panels throughout. The rear seats offer surprising space for a car with such a dramatic roofline, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The 12.9 cubic feet of trunk space is adequate for weekend getaways, supplemented by a small front trunk for charging cables.

The Verdict on Electric Performance

The Taycan Turbo S succeeds where many performance EVs fail: it doesn’t just replicate the numbers of a great sports car, it captures the emotional connection. Yes, you’ll miss the exhaust note and gear changes, but the instant torque delivery and telepathic handling create their own addictive rhythm.

The Taycan Turbo S isn’t just Porsche’s first electric car; it’s proof that the future of performance can be every bit as engaging as the past. Yes, you’ll pay handsomely for the privilege, but this is what happens when a company that truly understands driver engagement tackles electrification. The soul of Stuttgart lives on, just with a different heartbeat.