GTS, Turbo, Turbo S acceleration

[Zanardi43]

Long time searcher and reader here, but first post.

Current Models S Plaid owner who's had every RS and M car made over the last 20-years…but now will never return to ICE. I’ve read/watched about every Taycan review out there and I’m still struggling deciding between getting a (pre-facelift) GTS, Turbo or Turbo S. For what I value most, I am confident the Taycan is a better choice for me than the MS Plaid, but I’m concerned about a big letdown in acceleration coming from the Plaid. To be clear, I have zero interest in launching…for me it’s all about throttle mash, real world acceleration when I want it. All 3 Taycan variants I’m looking at have the same non-launch torque 626lb-ft and the Turbo and Turbo S have the same (non-launch) 616HP.

So despite searching endlessly, I can’t find definitive answers to 2 questions.

No launching…
Does the GTS feel meaningfully slower than the others?
Am I correct the Turbo & Turbo S have identical acceleration?

Thanks in advance!

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[69Mach390]

Long time searcher and reader here, but first post.

Current Models S Plaid owner who's had every RS and M car made over the last 20-years…but now will never return to ICE. I’ve read/watched about every Taycan review out there and I’m still struggling deciding between getting a (pre-facelift) GTS, Turbo or Turbo S. For what I value most, I am confident the Taycan is a better choice for me than the MS Plaid, but I’m concerned about a big letdown in acceleration coming from the Plaid. To be clear, I have zero interest in launching…for me it’s all about throttle mash, real world acceleration when I want it. All 3 Taycan variants I’m looking at have the same non-launch torque 626lb-ft and the Turbo and Turbo S have the same (non-launch) 616HP.

So despite searching endlessly, I can’t find definitive answers to 2 questions.

No launching…
Does the GTS feel meaningfully slower than the others?
Am I correct the Turbo & Turbo S have identical acceleration?

Thanks in advance!

Each one is faster than the next.

But, you can buy the GTS and MapEv tune it for $2600 and it’ll be as fast as the Turbo S. Actually faster from a roll than the turbo S.

Each will still be slower than a plaid unless you go with a 2025+ and get a turbo S or tune them. 2025+ you could get a regular Taycan 4 and run high 9 second 1/4 miles with a tune (9.8 at 140 mph to be precise).

 

[Mr.Smith]

Each one is faster than the next.

But, you can buy the GTS and MapEv tune it for $2600 and it’ll be as fast as the Turbo S. Actually faster from a roll than the turbo S.

Each will still be slower than a plaid unless you go with a 2025+ and get a turbo S or tune them. 2025+ you could get a regular Taycan 4 and run high 9 second 1/4 miles with a tune (9.8 at 140 mph to be precise).

Agreed. GTS with the upgrade. On a roll, the Plaid is much faster than any Taycan unless its upgraded to the 940hp full time

 

[PhillyTCT4S]

Taycan CT 4S - got the tune and it completely transformed the car. You can get a nicely optioned 4s and save allot of money
Read the post on this forum about the tune.

 

[Longy_UK]

Ok.... Before I got my GTS I had a turbo for the weekend. Was it faster? Yes but in all honesty it was a little too fast....

The GTS matched the performance of the RS6 I was swapping out of so i was happy. The GTS setup is what sells it. Its the best handling of the bunch.

In day to day driving - the GTS is faster than you'll need.

 

[prj]

If you want something that is close in acceleration to your Plaid then try to stretch to a facelift Taycan 4 or 4S, if you can find one with decent options and then get our controller for it.

If you want something faster you need at least a facelift Turbo S, but those are going to be closer to $200k instead of $100k, and the difference in performance (when tuned) will be 140hp, which I feel for $100k is not really worth it.
The additional benefit of the facelift (besides the range, which may or may not matter to you) is the fact that it retains the full power much longer (still does a sub 3 second 0-60 even at 20% battery SoC) due to an improved battery chemistry, and it also gives you the full power and full fast charging at significantly lower temperatures.

The pre-facelift cars begin to experience significant power degradation below 50% battery and they're dogs below 30%. But then the Plaid is the same of course.

 

[69Mach390]

Ok.... Before I got my GTS I had a turbo for the weekend. Was it faster? Yes but in all honesty it was a little too fast....

The GTS matched the performance of the RS6 I was swapping out of so i was happy. The GTS setup is what sells it. Its the best handling of the bunch.

In day to day driving - the GTS is faster than you'll need.

OP has a plaid. I don’t think he’ll understand what you mean by “too fast.”

 

[kempez]

I had a Turbo ST and it was a very rapid car. Real-life, at many states of charge, it was just absolutely blistering. I am sure the Plaid is faster on a boring straight road, but couple the pure speed/torque/power with the speed the car can carry due to excellent suspension setup, huge grippy tyres, brilliant brakes and the absolute confidence the car gives you as a driver and the Turbo is just an absolute monster on a road and more so on a track.

 

[EVFan]

I sold my Gen 1 Turbo S due to reliability and poor charging speeds / range.
Would not buy again, even if amazing value....I value my peace of mind with reliability.

The facelift model is sooooo much better! Faster, better suspension, better handling, better range, better charging speed. This car is a keeper.

 

[tophamn]

Ok.... Before I got my GTS I had a turbo for the weekend. Was it faster? Yes but in all honesty it was a little too fast....

The GTS matched the performance of the RS6 I was swapping out of so i was happy. The GTS setup is what sells it. Its the best handling of the bunch.

In day to day driving - the GTS is faster than you'll need.

I fully agree. I had a Turbo loaner (while my Panamera Turbo-S was in for service) which I found crazy fast. When I started looking for a Taycan the local dealer had a GTS-ST in (1 year old with 128 miles on it!) which ticked all the boxes spec-wise: leather, Bose, PDCC, ... Yes, it does feel slower to accelerate than a Turbo but the handling is sublime, esp. with the combination of PTVS, PDCC and PCCBs (lower unsprung weight). In real-world driving it's really fast enough.

 

[Vision]

My turbo S is tuned and even then it's way slower than my Plaid. I would keep both if possible, best of both world's. The Porsche is way more fun to drive than the Plaid, but the Plaid is just easy to drive.

 

[Hirschaj]

The facelift model is sooooo much better! Faster, better suspension, better handling, better range, better charging speed. This car is a keeper.

It’s really a shame they made it less attractive with the facelift. I’m planning to keep my pre-facelift Taycan because it’s beautiful and it’s been good to me.

 

[bn8959]

Ok.... Before I got my GTS I had a turbo for the weekend. Was it faster? Yes but in all honesty it was a little too fast....

The GTS matched the performance of the RS6 I was swapping out of so i was happy. The GTS setup is what sells it. Its the best handling of the bunch.

In day to day driving - the GTS is faster than you'll need.

I’d add a vote for a GTS ideally with RAS and PDCC (or Active Ride if you are looking at J1.2 - I have the former). So much fun to drive, I absolutely love it. Also came from an RS6 (and RS4 before that).

 

[DerekS]

Does the GTS feel meaningfully slower than the others?

I haven't driven the Turbos, but I can tell you this: I'm a speed freak.
I've been in Porsches since 1998 and no car has ever accelerated to my satisfaction...until the GTS.

And you can save a bundle since you're buying pre-facelift.

 

[Zanardi43]

Thanks all for the thoughtful replies. I can say 2 things with certainty relating to my Taycan purchase…given the steep depreciation history and spotty reliability, I’ll be buying a certified 2022/2023 for ~60% of MSRP and certainly not tuning it. Funny to say (given that I’ve modified and tuned most of the cars I’ve owned over the last 20 years, including a 800hp GTR).

I accept and am not phased by the minor Tesla quality characteristics (panel gaps, B- interior quality, etc.)…especially with software, updates and reliability that’s been spot on for the 5 years I’ve had the MS Plaid and MXP100D.

But, I’m on this forum and asking these questions because I want to drive (instead of ride) when I get in my car each day. I absolutely love the Taycan aesthetically (especially preface lift) and miss driving a car that’s fun. Have to be honest though, and say I’m concerned about trading solid but dull, for a headache.

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