4S to Turbo - is it worth it?

[kmcdonal]

I am going to make the same jump from 4S to Turbo at some point. Part of it is just to move from MY 2020 to something a bit later with plug-and-charge and a few of the little software gremlins smoothed out.

Also, after driving the Turbo S at the PEC in LA, I was looking for a little more power. We have a lot of very short passing sections on 2 lane roads. You often get stuck behind a truck and need to get around the truck very quickly.

Lastly, this will be an opportunity to add a few things that I missed in my original build, notably 4 wheel steering.

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[WuffvonTrips]

Actually @Archimedes the Turbo S has Standard Rear Axel Steering the Porsche Torque Vectoring. I know the former is a option on the 4S (I believe only 2022) and the later is not an option.

PTV is an option for the 4S (at least in the UK).

 

[Atipical]

You think?
When I looked the regular power increment up from 4S compared to the step up in price was the poorest ratio for every increment in the model range so IMO unless you are very keen on the GTS cosmetics, the GTS is poor value for money.

How is GTS poor value? I'd imagine that it'd be a big value if you're looking at a performance oriented 4S with > 35k in options.

 

[KTC]

wheel size (19", 20", 21", 22"), and tire grip has way way way way more effect on range than the "power" differences (mostly software tuning for max allowed battery discharge rates)

I think this is something that can't be stated enough.

For most folks who don't track their Taycans (or have dedicated track wheels), I think rolling resistance needs to be considered in picking their tire choices. My car came w/ grand touring ProContacts, but if I switched to PS4 the change in range might outweigh any practical benefits in grip/limits of handling on city streets.

 

[Wakesurfer]

I was on the fence and went 4S. The only difference was a little more acceleration and the price difference similarly speccd was almost $25k. I found the 4S plenty quick enough for me.

I do think the Turbo is the sweet spot. I just think it’s overpriced. Then again, so is the 4S.

Same decision for me - just could not justify the $25k increase in price from 4S to Turbo. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision but when I am driving my 4S I am re-convinced that I made the correct decision - for me.

 

[RAHRCR]

In my view the biggest reason to go with Turbo or Turbo S is exclusivity within the Porsche community.…which is not of value to me. Aside from straight line speed, there just isnt much more in it. Aesthetic differences are minor in my view.

I think that the 4S is the sweet spot…… and that extra dollars spent on handling (PDCC, RAS, PTV) is better than buying additional HP/Torque.

 

[f1eng]

How is GTS poor value? I'd imagine that it'd be a big value if you're looking at a performance oriented 4S with > 35k in options.

It is a 19% price increase for a 6% increase in regular power (or 5% of boost power), so, like I wrote, unless you are very keen on the unique cosmetic extras it is poor value compared to a 4S.

Other than the unique cosmetics there isn’t much going for the GTS IMO.

 

[TAYC4S]

It is a 19% price increase for a 6% increase in regular power (or 5% of boost power), so, like I wrote, unless you are very keen on the unique cosmetic extras it is poor value compared to a 4S.

Other than the unique cosmetics there isn’t much going for the GTS IMO.

I have got to say I agree and the maths don’t lie.

 

[Atipical]

It is a 19% price increase for a 6% increase in regular power (or 5% of boost power), so, like I wrote, unless you are very keen on the unique cosmetic extras it is poor value compared to a 4S.

Other than the unique cosmetics there isn’t much going for the GTS IMO.

One can't discount the shared torque numbers with the turbo though. That's a significant boost over the 4S.

 

[f1eng]

One can't discount the shared torque numbers with the turbo though. That's a significant boost over the 4S.

It is power that counts not torque. There is a lot of BS about torque, the engine has to generate torque to produce power but it is power that does the work.

One of my old colleagues who was technical director of the Ferrari Formula 1 team started every engineer’s job interview with the question “which is more important power or torque?” And any “engineer” who answered torque was politely thanked and ushered out.

 

[Atipical]

It is power that counts not torque. There is a lot of BS about torque, the engine has to generate torque to produce power but it is power that does the work.

One of my old colleagues who was technical director of the Ferrari Formula 1 team started every engineer’s job interview with the question “which is more important power or torque?” And any “engineer” who answered torque was politely thanked and ushered out.

Welp, I suppose I'll take your F1 experience over my backroads blasting experience when it comes to the technical vernacular and which is more important. Suffice to say I have a GTS on order so I had to defend my future steed.

 

[WuffvonTrips]

Suffice to say I have a GTS on order so I had to defend my future steed.

In this short thread, IIRC, we've had nominations for the "sweet spot" of the Taycan lineup being the 4S, the GTS and the Turbo (the lack of nomination of the RWD and Turbo S is probably only due to their advocates not being interested in the thread's title ? ). Porsche are doing well to keep us all satisfied that there's a Taycan matching our personal requirements?

 

[Atipical]

In this short thread, IIRC, we've had nominations for the "sweet spot" of the Taycan lineup being the 4S, the GTS and the Turbo (the lack of nomination of the RWD and Turbo S is probably only due to their advocates not being interested in the thread's title ? ). Porsche are doing well to keep us all satisfied that there's a Taycan matching our personal requirements?

Very true. Porsche knows how to engineer the heck out of a vehicle so either way you can't go wrong! Each day the wait gets more painful for the arrival of my new DD.

 

[tigerbalm]

It is power that counts not torque. There is a lot of BS about torque, the engine has to generate torque to produce power but it is power that does the work.

Tell me I wasn't the only one who had to google for "power vs torque" !!

 

[Mr. 2021 Taycan]

I test drove the Turbo S, Turbo, and 4S before purchasing the 4S.

The Turbo S and Turbo are too fast (if you want to track a Porsche get a GT3).

I am getting a predicted 250 miles of range at 85% charge with the 4S and 0 to 60 is faster than any rational person can manage (3.4 to 3.8 seconds as measured by various reviewers).

The 4S is all I need. Less money, more range, extraordinary yet rational level of street performance, and amazing to drive every day.

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