Porsche will roll out a software update for the Taycan intended to unlock more performance, faster charge times and extra features from the electric four-door. The updates, which will be applied free of charge (but apparently at dealers) on early 2020 cars, will give Turbo S models the biggest performance boost with a new 0-124mph time of 9.6 seconds, two-tenths less than before. And the same software is said to enable more lateral performance. Because obviously these cars weren’t quick enough.
The improvements are possible on air suspension Taycans, with the software not only altering the chassis control settings so slip is reduced under power, but also enabling a Smartlift function. This, as the name suggests, provides more space for obstacles like speed humps, and also automatically adjusts the height on recurring locations that the car has learned over time, such as an owner's angled driveway, or a particularly rough road. Nifty. As you’d expect, the associated systems, including the transmission and other control units, are adapted to suit the new software.
No less significant will be the improvements extracted from the Taycan’s charge systems, with Porsche’s Charging Planner functions extended so that a plug can be set to top up juice just enough to get the car to a set destination. Additionally, a new Battery-Saving Charging function reduces capacity from 270kW to 200kW, allowing for lower battery temperatures during the charge and therefore more efficient top up, which is both faster and less wearing on the battery’s longevity. Porsche says its 22kW onboard AC charger will also be available as a “retro-fit” option in selected markets from the end of 2021.
Elsewhere, the software changes bring more predictable upgrades, like improvements to the satellite navigation and smartphone integration tech, particularly for Apple iPhone users. Both 2020 and 2021 Taycan owners can also choose to have their car’s driving assistance features updated as and when they please, meaning the showroom specification they ordered needn’t remain the same throughout the car’s life. Indeed, Porsche expects some drivers to add features temporarily, via a monthly payment system. That might be handy, for example, if you’re to embark on a continental voyage and wouldn’t mind Power Steering Plus assistance for narrow, cobblestoned Italian villages. Or lane assistance tech for those sprints down the autobahn...
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