Porsche Centre Dubai and Northern Emirates, Al Nabooda Automobiles LLC, has launched a new era with the reveal of the company’s first fully electric sports car, the Taycan.
Staged at an innovative drive-in venue at the Dubai Design District recently, the launch was the first of its kind in the MENA region, combining safety with spectacle.
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More than 200 guests, seated in 100 cars, attended the event, which included an impressive aerial show. No less than 120 drones told visually the story of the evolution of the Taycan from the first hybrid vehicle, the Lohner-Porsche developed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1898, through to today. Watch the impressive event trailer here.
Topping the launch event was a striking display of light and sound on the façade of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Click here to see the spectacle.
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Commenting on the arrival of Porsche’s all-new Taycan, K. Rajaram, CEO of Al Nabooda Automobiles LLC, said: “The Taycan marks the beginning of the future for Porsche. The first all-electric sports car brings together multiple innovations and we have launched it in a manner befitting the brand, at the first contactless launch event in the region that adhered to all the safety protocols outlined by the UAE government.”
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Available in three models comprising the 4S, Turbo and Turbo S, the Taycan combines a sleek coupé profile with a four-door saloon body, providing room for four adults. Intelligent use of battery cell placement allows for “foot garages” in the back which gives more rear legroom for taller occupants and allows Taycan to adopt a slender, 911-like silhouette.
True sports car performance
Incidentally, the Taycan Turbo S is the most powerful sports car in the Porsche range, producing 761 horsepower and matches the 911 GT2 RS in acceleration, taking just 2.8 seconds to reach 100kph. Power comes via two permanently excited synchronous motors, one mounted on each axle, making the four-door saloon an all-wheel drive.
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Performance is further enhanced by the world’s first two-speed transmission in an EV, installed on the rear axle, enabling fast acceleration and high end speed.
Innovative interior with wide range of customisation options
The early 1963 Porsche dash provided the inspiration for the Taycan’s curved, free-standing 16.8-inch instrument cluster atop the steering column with the rounded look that’s typical of Porsche. The upper and lower sections of the dashboard stretch across the entire width of the vehicle in the shape of a wing, featuring a central 10.9-inch infotainment display and an optional passenger display.
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The black panel replaces many hardware controls, such as switches and buttons, with on-screen, haptic-touch menus that are intuitive and can be operated by the simple voice command of “Hey Porsche”.
Battery, Charging and Range
The Taycan is the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts. This is a particular advantage when high-power charging access is available, allowing exceptionally short charging times. The Taycan can be charged on either side using alternating current (AC) or by using direct current (DC) on the right side. Owners will be able to enjoy complete peace of mind by charging their vehicle at home with the Porsche Mobile Charger Connect. Installation is arranged with the help of trained and certified suppliers.
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The Turbo and Turbo S feature a 93kWh, two-tier Performance Battery Plus pack, while a 79kWh, single tier battery is standard on the entry-level 4S that delivers up to 463 km of range according to WLTP.
Being the first all-electric car by Porsche, the launch comes at a time when there is a strong focus by the Government of Dubai and the UAE on promoting the use of electric cars and e-mobility in a sustainable living environment. This governmental drive is supported by Porsche Centre Dubai through the continuous expansion of the local charging infrastructure. At present, 33 AC chargers and 1 DC charger have been set up at Porsche facilities across Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. Furthermore, a collaboration with various institutions, such as malls and hotels, ensures ongoing efforts to expand the charging network for customers and owners of electric or hybrid vehicles.
K. Rajaram added: “The launch of the first all-electric Porsche into Dubai and the Northern Emirates places us at the forefront in terms of encouraging sustainability and e-mobility in the region which is something we are proud to have supported.”
The Taycan is now available on display at Porsche Centre Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. The new model’s prices start at Dh431,800 for the Taycan 4S, Dh601,800 for the Taycan Turbo, and Dh781,800 for the Taycan Turbo S.