Taycan Sport Turismo GTS: personal test drive review

[Sidicks]

I spent an hour this morning driving the recently-arrived demonstrator at Porsche Mid-Sussex (where I have ordered my car from).

The demonstrator had the following options:
- Volcano grey
- Red GTS interior (Race-Tex)
- 21” RS Spyder wheels
- Bose
- Panoramic roof
- Head-up display
- Park assist with surround view
- Folding mirrors
- Sport design pack in carbon
- Exterior mirrors in carbon
- Auto dimming mirrors
- Comfort access
- Ambient lighting
- Rear axle steering and PSP
- Privacy glass
- Passenger display


I didn’t have too much time to play with the PCM etc, but the main things I noticed were as follows:
- the PCM was still black /white rather than the coloured icons, so not the latest version
- the pedals were not the stainless steel ones advertised on the configurator
- the interior has the right amount of leather and Race-Tex and looks great
- The head-up display was surprisingly useful, but still not something I’d pay for
- I hadn’t previous realised that you could have the panoramic roof without the roof rails (although you can’t have the roof rails without the panoramic roof!), so I will be updating my spec accordingly. Indications are that the photochromatic roof will be available to order from April, but I’m probably not going to bother
- I’m also probably not going to bother with gloss black mirror supports, rear wiper or model designation as there is enough matt black on the car for it to match, including the satin black wheels
- when people are talking about the Race-tex for the B-pillar. I assume that is for the lower half, and the upper half is already Race-Tex with the GTS interior pack? I did notice the bottom half of the B-pillar was scratched where the buckle of the seatbelt would have banged against it - I’m not sure how the Race-Tex would fare in this situation
- some people have suggested the ingress and egress are slightly difficult, but I didn’t notice any problems. The 18-way seats were very comfortable (I had them on my 997 C4S), but didn’t seem to go as far back as I expected. Indeed I think I had them back as far as they would go (I’m 6’2” with long legs), so would have expected taller drivers might need further adjustment.
- I didn’t play around with the displays too much so can’t comment on usability of various options etc. I’m sure I’d get used to it

Driving:
- I drove in Sports plus mode most of the time - I was pretty careful, but it’s clear that overtaking ability is absolutely ridiculous, with the instant torque available. What was more surprising to me was the ride quality - plenty of rough roads around this area and the car soaked them up much better than expected, certainly better than my current RS4. I don’t recall the previous Taycan 4S I drove being any better, and of course in Sports Plus mode the suspension is in its stiffest setting and it should be even more relaxing in other modes. Of course, if you’re comparing to a Mercedes S class then you’re going to find the ride somewhat stiff, but for me it was perfect
- When driving, the car genuinely does shrink around you and you don’t feel it’s width, size or weight. However in towns where there are parked cars I was very conscious about the width of the car although this is something you’d get used to
- I’m not sure exactly what recuperation setting I was using, but I felt it had the right amount of ‘engine‘ braking when lifting off the throttle, similar to what I’d want from a petrol-engined car
- the new sports sound was more menacing than the standard, but I’m not sure whether this would get boring after a while, so I’d turn it off?
- I had to go on some narrow country lanes with limited passing places and was very conscious not wanting to kerb the wheels or scratch the paint. There was a message that popped up from time to time warning me when the front corners were getting close to the hedges, which i think is part of the ‘Park assist with surround view’ package. This was very useful
- the car had rear wheel steer and while I didn’t try any tight reversing / turning manoeuvres it was easy to turn the car around etc

My desired specification:
My initial thoughts had been to order a (boring) Volcano Grey car, but more recently I‘d settled on. Gentian blue car with black brake callipers (with the standard black Race-Tex interior and potentially blue stitching to brighten up the interior). After today’s test drive I think I’m heading back towards (boring!) Volcano Grey with the GTS interior pack in red, and the (standard) red brake callipers - I will have to update my desktop background accordingly! Indeed the demonstrator was not that different to my ideal spec.

in due course I will post up two possible configurations for comments, but the Configurator appears to be down at the moment - maybe they are adding some new options, including the photochromatic roof?!

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[npx]

Well done - love hearing these reports as we in the USA wait for the GTS ST's to show up.

 

[Sidicks]

Ok, so this:
Http://www.Porsche-code.com/PNL1G263

Or this:
Http://www.Porsche-code.com/PNC5HUL9

Or something else?!

 

[masmole]

Ok, so this:
Http://www.Porsche-code.com/PNL1G263

Or this:
Http://www.Porsche-code.com/PNC5HUL9

Or something else?!

I like the gentian blue more for the simple fact that it seems to offer better contrast with the black GTS bits than volcano would. then again the red GTS interior looks very nice! I don't see why you can't get that interior with gentian blue exterior. But of course color is a personal decision. Go with your heart

 

[Richs99]

How did you find the Bose?

The 4S I drove there apparently had a bose in it but it had zero bass coming through at all, I had to crank it up to 10 to get any sort of bass out and the overall sound quality was just really bad.

That was using the on board dab, and we checked several different stations.

 

[Sidicks]

How did you find the Bose?

The 4S I drove there apparently had a bose in it but it had zero bass coming through at all, I had to crank it up to 10 to get any sort of bass out and the overall sound quality was just really bad.

That was using the on board dab, and we checked several different stations.

I have to be honest and say that I didn’t really try the sound system - the radio was on when I turned the car on, but I turned it down as I was focusing on the driving and the sports sound.

In my mind I was never going to pay for the Burmeister and feedback suggests the Bose is a meaningful improvement on the standard system.

 

[Sidicks]

I like the gentian blue more for the simple fact that it seems to offer better contrast with the black GTS bits than volcano would. then again the red GTS interior looks very nice! I don't see why you can't get that interior with gentian blue exterior. But of course color is a personal decision. Go with your heart

I agree the blue/black is a good contrast. I also agree that I could have Gentian blue with red callipers and red GTS interior, but not sure that’s what I want!

 

[SlyStyle]

I prefer PNL1G263. Wagon looks better in a more masculine color (assuming you're a man)...though I'm generally not a fan of the wagon look.

Do you have a 3 phase charger at home? If you don't, you won't get much benefit from the 22kW on-board AC charger. The public charge stations are usually all DC. I'd spend that 1,179 elsewhere like a heated GT sport steering wheel or power charge ports.

 

[Sidicks]

I prefer PNL1G263. Wagon looks better in a more masculine color (assuming you're a man)...though I'm generally not a fan of the wagon look.

I think both Gentian Blue & Volcano Grey are fairly ‘masculine’, at least compared to Frozen Blue, Coffee, Frozen Berry etc

Do you have a 3 phase charger at home? If you don't, you won't get much benefit from the 22kW on-board AC charger. The public charge stations are usually all DC. I'd spend that 1,179 elsewhere like a heated GT sport steering wheel or power charge ports.

Car already comes with the heated wheel and I’ve already specc’d powered charging ports.

Yes, I will have 3-phase electricity at the house.

 

[Murph7355]

I much prefer the blue. Grey is too....bland.

But I think the GTS interior peps it up. Crayon probably works better than red on all but a grey/black/red car. Would the blue stitching give the same effect, including blue GTS logos? Blue seat belts?

I like red calipers and they work fine on a blue car (my 997 is like this).

Am not sure about black wheels on the blue though. I think they get lost. If I go blue, I'll see about weiss gold for the RS Spyders....

2+1 seating? Appreciate the centre's narrow, but it would annoy me not being able to squeeze a +1 in occasionally. And the extra utility of the spli fold additional flex will be handy.

I'll also be going 4 zone climate. The back will be used a lot for me.

Privacy glass - helps with sun ingress with the kids for me, so will be ticking.

Body coloured lower mirror trims look better IMO. Not a big deal on the volcano grey. More noticeable on blue.

Lane change assist should be standard
It's not. I'll be ticking it.

I hear the concerns on Race-Tex b pillar cover... But I'll be getting it, and the centre console in Race-Tex (rear bit). If it gets scuffed, I'll think of a different solution

Passenger display is a waste, apart from the potential to break up the plastic in that area... Not sure it does that well enough...??

Electric charge port covers are a no for me. If the air curtain did nothing, I wonder why Porsche put it on...??

I'm hoping for an extended test as and when my dealer opens up for testing an ST.

 

[TaycanHero]

I wonder if that same car was at Porsche Leicester back in Feb before moving to Sussex? If it's the same vehicle I've (quite unexcitedly) sat in it! Not keen on the colour.

Go for G Blue, it contrasts better with the exclusive black parts of the GTS trim. The ST body style also suits lighter colours IMO as it accentuates the subtle curves of the chassis.

I have an issue with Porsche and silvers/greys. Every other Porsche seems to be that colour. It's conservatively tedious and too "safe" for what should be an exciting colour for an exciting car.

It's not an Audi A series and of those who oft spec such a colour, who cares what the wife thinks, it's a Porsche and it's your money ?

Nicely specced, though I would consider:

• Black gloss window trim and wing mirrors, only because it then has uniformity with the black gloss roof spoiler side skirts. The matte black is more of a grey and not black. I don't think it looks that great and the wing mirrors are always in eye view.
• Race-Tex that nasty scratchy plastic B-Piller.
• Reconsider 22kW onboard charger: will you actually use it/is your property compatible?
• Drop the public charging cable for the free substitute. Buy an aftermarket cable otherwise for half the price and double the quality.
• Passenger display: seems a waste.
• Comfort Access: security risk and could increase your insurance premium. It saves you bending your thumb and reaching for your pocket. For £774... Yes. Really.
• Get the tinted glass. Looks way better and adds uniformity to the dark features of the GTS.
• Consider 4 Zone CC only because without it, the back AC unit looks like it's been transplanted from a Fiat Punto.
• 4+1 seats just in case you have five passengers and it's cheap.
• Get your key painted body colour because it just looks cool.
• Consider matching floor mats and boot liner with lip.
• If important to you, only the premium GTS interior packages have the exclusive "GTS" designation on the steering wheel. It's not important to me. I'm going full leather because Race-Tex is kind of like Kate Moss. It looks good but quickly turns disappointing.

 

[Sidicks]

I much prefer the blue. Grey is too....bland.

But I think the GTS interior peps it up. Crayon probably works better than red on all but a grey/black/red car. Would the blue stitching give the same effect, including blue GTS logos? Blue seat belts?

I like red calipers and they work fine on a blue car (my 997 is like this).

Am not sure about black wheels on the blue though. I think they get lost. If I go blue, I'll see about weiss gold for the RS Spyders....

2+1 seating? Appreciate the centre's narrow, but it would annoy me not being able to squeeze a +1 in occasionally. And the extra utility of the spli fold additional flex will be handy.

I'll also be going 4 zone climate. The back will be used a lot for me.

Privacy glass - helps with sun ingress with the kids for me, so will be ticking.

Body coloured lower mirror trims look better IMO. Not a big deal on the volcano grey. More noticeable on blue.

Lane change assist should be standard
It's not. I'll be ticking it.

I hear the concerns on Race-Tex b pillar cover... But I'll be getting it, and the centre console in Race-Tex (rear bit). If it gets scuffed, I'll think of a different solution

Passenger display is a waste, apart from the potential to break up the plastic in that area... Not sure it does that well enough...??

Electric charge port covers are a no for me. If the air curtain did nothing, I wonder why Porsche put it on...??

I'm hoping for an extended test as and when my dealer opens up for testing an ST.

Thanks for the feedback, just picking up a few key points:

I’m happy with a dull, drab colour . I don’t necessarily want to attract attention in the car - I’ve bought it to drive, not to be seen in, so something less conspicuous is fine by me.

The back of the car is going to be used extremely rarely and the fact that with the 2+1 option the seats don’t match the fronts is a deal-breaker for me.

I don’t plan to sell drugs from the car, so don’t need the privacy glass in the rear!

Lane change assist comes with the Remote park option I’ve included.

 

[Sidicks]

I wonder if that same car was at Porsche Leicester back in Feb before moving to Sussex? If it's the same vehicle I've (quite unexcitedly) sat in it! Not keen on the colour.

Go for G Blue, it contrasts better with the exclusive black parts of the GTS trim. The ST body style also suits lighter colours IMO as it accentuates the subtle curves of the chassis.

I have an issue with Porsche and silvers/greys. Every other Porsche seems to be that colour. It's conservatively tedious and too "safe" for what should be an exciting colour for an exciting car.

It's not an Audi A series and of those who oft spec such a colour, who cares what the wife thinks, it's a Porsche and it's your money ?

Nicely specced, though I would consider:

• Black gloss window trim and wing mirrors, only because it then has uniformity with the black gloss roof spoiler side skirts. The matte black is more of a grey and not black. I don't think it looks that great and the wing mirrors are always in eye view.
• Race-Tex that nasty scratchy plastic B-Piller.
• Reconsider 22kW onboard charger: will you actually use it/is your property compatible?
• Drop the public charging cable for the free substitute. Buy an aftermarket cable otherwise for half the price and double the quality.
• Passenger display: seems a waste.
• Comfort Access: security risk and could increase your insurance premium. It saves you bending your thumb and reaching for your pocket. For £774... Yes. Really.
• Get the tinted glass. Looks way better and adds uniformity to the dark features of the GTS.
• Consider 4 Zone CC only because without it, the back AC unit looks like it's been transplanted from a Fiat Punto.
• 4+1 seats just in case you have five passengers and it's cheap.
• Get your key painted body colour because it just looks cool.
• Consider matching floor mats and boot liner with lip.
• If important to you, only the premium GTS interior packages have the exclusive "GTS" designation on the steering wheel. It's not important to me. I'm going full leather because Race-Tex is kind of like Kate Moss. It looks good but quickly turns disappointing.

Thanks for the feedback, just picking up a few key points:
- As above, conservatively tedious / safe is fine for me!
- maybe I’ll reconsider on the gloss black options!
- We have 3-phase so will use the 22kw onboard charger
- are you referring to the lower half of the B-pillar?
- The Porsche comfort access was rated quite highly in the Thatcham (https://www.thatcham.org/latest-consumer-security-ratings-released/) survey I saw. It’s also a requirement for the Remote park assist with LCA
- what’s the difference between the cable I’ve added and the free one?
- what floor mats are standard?
- I’ve had no proble,s with a Race-Tex steering wheel previously, so don’t see any issues with a Race-Tex interior, not least because there won’t often be children in the car
- I think you can get printed key covers on Amazon / Ebay for a fraction of the Porsche price. I had this previously on my GT3 and it was nice, but not sure it was worth £261!
- 4 seats is enough for me

 

[ciaranob]

OK you naysayers - how is this dull or drab - go VG all the way! And the black bits stand out just fine, believe me.

 

[TaycanHero]

Thanks for the feedback, just picking up a few key points:
- As above, conservatively tedious / safe is fine for me!
- maybe I’ll reconsider on the gloss black options!
- We have 3-phase so will use the 22kw onboard charger
- are you referring to the lower half of the B-pillar?
- The Porsche comfort access was rated quite highly in the Thatcham (https://www.thatcham.org/latest-consumer-security-ratings-released/) survey I saw. It’s also a requirement for the Remote park assist with LCA
- what’s the difference between the cable I’ve added and the free one?
- what floor mats are standard?
- I’ve had no proble,s with a Race-Tex steering wheel previously, so don’t see any issues with a Race-Tex interior, not least because there won’t often be children in the car
- I think you can get printed key covers on Amazon / Ebay for a fraction of the Porsche price. I had this previously on my GT3 and it was nice, but not sure it was worth £261!
- 4 seats is enough for me

Yep, lower part of B-pillar.

For the charging cable, I don't think there is a difference other than one cable is free, the other is an add on to the Mobile Charger Plus and thus you pay for it. Check with your dealer for clarification.

There are no standard floor mats, but to complete your interior look (assuming standard GTS Race-Tex), the floor mats with Race-Tex edging are a £408 option and you choose your stitching colour. The boot liner with loading edge protection is £164. Will improve aesthetics and provide practicality at very low cost.

Always a very personal preference Race-Tex vs leather. Having seen GTS Race-Tex in person, it is nice, but I just prefer leather.

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