2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo: Power & Performance Wagon

Porsche Unveils the Pinnacle of the Taycan Lineup

The most potent iterations of Porsche’s fully-electric vehicle have arrived, with the introduction of the 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS and the versatile Taycan GTS Sport Turismo.

Performance and Refinement

For drivers seeking a harmonious blend of power, sophisticated handling, and the benefits of an all-electric drivetrain, both the Taycan GTS and GTS Sport Turismo present a compelling option. These models expertly combine cutting-edge technology with substantial performance capabilities, as recently evaluated by TechCrunch.

The GTS designation now extends across Porsche’s entire model range. The 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS and GTS Sport Turismo complete a comprehensive portfolio, bringing the total number of Porsche Taycan configurations to ten.

A Benchmark for Electric Luxury

The Sport Turismo GTS, alongside its sedan counterpart, establishes a new standard for luxury automakers aiming to facilitate a seamless transition for customers moving from traditional internal combustion engines to all-electric power. However, the Taycan’s positioning as a luxury vehicle inherently limits its accessibility to a broader audience.

Resonating with Consumers

Prior to any debate among Porsche enthusiasts regarding the Taycan’s authenticity, it’s important to acknowledge the vehicle’s positive reception among consumers. Since its initial unveiling in 2019, the electric vehicle has proven to be a significant commercial success for the brand.

Porsche reported sales of 28,640 Taycan vehicles between January and September 2021. This figure surpassed sales of the iconic 911, as well as the Panamera, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman models.

Sales Performance and Investment

While the Taycan’s sales volume doesn’t yet match that of the Tesla Model 3 and Y, it has exceeded the sales figures for Tesla’s Model S and X. Tesla’s data indicates 13,214 Model S and X vehicles were delivered through the end of the third quarter.

These sales results demonstrate a successful return on Porsche’s $1 billion investment in the Taycan’s development. Recent experience with the latest GTS variants confirms that these development funds were allocated effectively. The 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo represent formidable contenders in the sports sedan and wagon segments.

The Taycan GTS models offer a compelling combination of performance and luxury in the electric vehicle market.

Experiencing the Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo

Prior to the Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche introduced the new Taycan GTS and Sport Turismo GTS. Following the unveiling, we had the opportunity to test drive both models in and around the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Positioned below the flagship 670-horsepower Turbo model, the Taycan GTS and GTS Sport Turismo offer a compelling performance profile. Porsche states the Taycan GTS achieves 0-60 mph acceleration in a mere 3.5 seconds, utilizing its 590 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque. This power is delivered by permanent magnet synchronous motors located at both the front and rear axles, resulting in an all-wheel drive configuration for both variants.

The rear motor utilized in the GTS is sourced directly from the Porsche Taycan Turbo, contributing to enhanced agility and responsiveness during driving.

Both vehicles are equipped with a 93.4 kWh battery pack operating on an 800-volt architecture. This system enables rapid charging, replenishing the battery from 5% to 80% capacity in just 22 minutes, a capability we verified at a DC fast-charging station within a Walmart parking area.

Our test drive involved a round trip from downtown Los Angeles to Willow Springs – approximately 90 miles each way – incorporating the challenging Angeles Crest Highway and Lake Hughes Road.

Despite its wagon configuration, the GTS Sport Turismo exhibited no discernible handling disadvantage due to its extended rear section. The vehicle proved agile, responsive, and comfortable across a spectrum of driving modes, including Range, Normal, Sport, Sport +, and Individual, establishing itself as a powerful and refined electric wagon.

Image Credits: Porsche

Whether executing overtakes on two-lane highways near Willow Springs or navigating the curves of the Angeles Crest Highway, the GTS Sport Turismo embodies Porsche’s description of it as the “sweet spot” within the Taycan lineup. It’s specifically designed for drivers seeking a sports car experience in a practical, all-electric vehicle.

Porsche refined the Porsche Active Suspension Management System and retuned the chassis. An optional rear-steering system and adaptive anti-roll bars were also incorporated into the test vehicle. Furthermore, the Taycan GTS models feature an innovative optional sunroof.

This sunroof transitions from opaque to clear through various stages of staggered panels with a simple touch. Constructed from two glass panes separated by a liquid crystal layer, the roof provides UV protection via a grey panel when activated or closed.

Experiencing the Porsche Taycan GTS on the Racetrack

Image Credits: Abigail Bassett

It’s probable that the majority of purchasers of the Taycan GTS will not utilize their vehicle on a racing circuit. However, for the select few who do, the performance capabilities are quite remarkable. The Taycan GTS sedan maintains generous space for four occupants and includes all the features found in the GTS Sport Turismo, but without the hatchback design.

Rather than taking a wagon around Big Willow Raceway, which admittedly sounds enjoyable, a session was undertaken in a Taycan GTS sedan for a 30-minute lead-follow experience. This allowed for a thorough assessment of its track performance.

The Taycan GTS is equipped with Porsche’s Track Precision app, which now integrates seamlessly with the updated PCM 6.0 infotainment system. By connecting the application on a smartphone to the vehicle, comprehensive, real-time data can be accessed.

This data includes speed measurements, braking force, accelerator and brake pedal input, and other metrics detailing driving performance on the track. Mounting the phone provides a first-person perspective video, overlaid with data such as throttle position, steering angle, and brake pressure.

Willow Springs is known as a challenging track due to its age and the nature of its turns, which lack prominent landmarks and feature off-camber sections. During the track session, the Taycan GTS exhibited exceptional stability, accelerating to 120 mph on the main straight.

Larger front brakes, shared with the Sport Turismo model, effectively reduced speed for the sequence of turns leading up the hill to a fast, sweeping left-hand corner. The vehicle’s handling felt both connected and remarkably precise.

Describing the Taycan GTS as fast would be an understatement. A prior experience at Big Willow in a Lamborghini Huracán STO provides context. While not a professional racer, the lap time recorded by the Porsche app in the Taycan GTS sedan was only four seconds slower than the best time achieved in the STO.

Considering the STO is specifically engineered for racing, this demonstrates the substantial performance potential of the Taycan GTS on a closed course. It’s safe to say the Taycan GTS delivers impressive acceleration and handling capabilities.

Charging the Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo

Image Credits: Abigail Bassett

Following our time on the track, I resumed my journey back towards downtown Los Angeles in the GTS Sport Turismo. Departing from the hotel on a foggy Saturday morning, the battery was fully charged, displaying an estimated range of 235 miles.

Upon reaching Willow Springs, after a combination of enthusiastic highway and canyon driving, approximately 130 miles of range remained. The total distance to Willow Springs was around 90 miles (one way). I frequently adjusted the driving mode via controls on the Race-Tex wrapped steering wheel, switching between Range, Sport + and Individual settings.

These settings influence the vehicle’s suspension, power delivery, steering response, and even the simulated “engine sound” within the Taycan GTS. The Individual setting proved most appealing, allowing independent customization of steering feel and ride comfort.

The consistent traffic congestion in Los Angeles can present a range challenge for electric vehicles. With around 70 miles of range remaining, I stopped at a Porsche-designated charging location, utilizing a public Electrify America charger in Burbank.

The charging station was exceptionally busy on a Saturday evening, with numerous shoppers and EV owners present. Only one DC fast charger was available, and a Porsche representative assisting journalists reported it had been intermittently out of service throughout the day.

A Ford Mustang Mach-E was currently utilizing the DC fast charger, so I attempted to use one of the vacant chargers. As is often the case for EV drivers, the charger initially failed to initiate charging for the GTS Sport Turismo. I tested three additional chargers in the row.

Eventually, I returned to the DC fast charger, which unexpectedly connected and rapidly charged the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo from 25% to 80% in a mere 20 minutes.

While this issue stemmed from the Electrify America charger itself, rather than Porsche, it indirectly impacts any manufacturer relying on this DC fast charging network to effectively compete with Tesla and its exclusive Supercharger network.

The chargers at this location repeatedly failed to recognize the vehicle. Other journalists arriving to charge encountered similar difficulties, leading to a frustrating game of “charger leapfrog” with electric motorcycles and cars in search of a functional unit.

User Experience

Despite ongoing developments needed in charging infrastructure, Porsche has notably simplified the process of locating chargers within its navigation system, surpassing many other electric vehicle manufacturers – with Tesla being a key exception.

The system provides three distinct methods for identifying available charging stations. Drivers can utilize the voice recognition technology to request nearby chargers, which are then displayed on the navigation screen for selection.

Alternatively, the touchscreen interface allows users to define specific search criteria, including charger brand and charging speed, to pinpoint suitable options in the vicinity.

Furthermore, the Porsche app or the vehicle’s infotainment navigation can be employed to plan a route, automatically identifying chargers along the way based on the desired charge level upon arrival. While I was unable to personally test this functionality with the European-spec vehicles, a Porsche representative demonstrated the process using a sedan with limited U.S. features available at the test track.

Beyond access through the central screen, Porsche’s updated infotainment system extends to the passenger side, enabling passengers to search for chargers, adjust audio settings, and navigate during travel. This contrasts with many automakers who restrict such features for both driver and passenger while the vehicle is in motion – a restriction that can be quite frustrating.

In the Taycan GTS and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, both driver and passenger retain the ability to interact with numerous infotainment functions while the vehicle is moving.

Deliveries of the 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2022, for customers prepared to invest over $110,000. The sedan’s pricing commences at $131,400 (plus a $1,350 delivery fee), while the Sport Turismo starts at $133,300.

Consistent with Porsche’s tradition, extensive customization options are available for both models. They deliver a compelling combination of performance, style, and technology, offering a refined experience for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS, in all its configurations, represents a formidable contender in the electric vehicle market.