Hawaiian CT4 Initial Impressions

[STLLTH]

I know I’m late with doing this but shortly after taking delivery I went off island to the mainland for vacation…I know why am I leaving Hawaii to go on vacation. You have to live here to understand we do get island fever from time to time and need a change of scenery. In our case we went to Arizona (one extreme to another). Please forgive me if I jump around in this post but just putting down my thoughts and impressions quickly as they pop into my head:

First off, I knew my CT4 would get attention but was not expecting the amount of head turns, thumbs up, and seeing people taking photos of it when I come out of buildings. I’ve even had friends send me photos in traffic asking me is this my car. It sits a lot lower in person than you think and drives very similar to my Macan GTS especially in turns/curves. It’s a very sporty but smooth ride at the same time. My wife noticed something I never gave much thought to until she mentioned it. I’m 6’3” with long legs (short torso) and she said she can’t believe how much head room I have in it. She was right, I looked up and saw I had about two hands of clearance from the top of my head to the glass roof and my legs were not banging against the center console like I’ve experienced in similar sized vehicles.

I purchased several options so I’ll go over what I got and why:

• Mamba Green: I’ve always liked this color and it’s one not seen a lot in Hawaii.
• 21” wheels: I really like the way these look. I know others will talk about how larger wheels affect the range. But I live on an island and range anxiety is not an issue here. I can circle Oahu twice on one 85% SOC.
• Black Standard Leather: I thought about going with a premium lighter leather but I’ve owned/leased more cars than I can remember and in all cases no matter much care I used, they always showed wear and markings so I decided to put that money into other options instead.
• Sport Chrono: I selected this more for the ease of selecting the drive mode than actually doing launch control (really how many of us will do launch control after the initial few times). This car has a lot of screen menus and since the CTs have the Gravel button instead of Sport one on the bottom screen I didn’t want to spend time and take my eyes off the road to change modes.
• Rear Wheel Steering: I have to admit this is a must option for a car this wide. Makes maneuvering in the very tight Hawaiian parking lots a breeze also taking curves on roads and off/on ramps is excellent.
• Technology Package: This is another well debated option package in the forums but I selected this one primarily for the heads up display because in the last few cars I’ve had this feature came with them I realized I relied on it more than I thought. The passenger screen was more of an ascetic/visual thing. Having that blank area next to the passenger seemed off to me (I know…first world problem).
• Burmester Speakers: This one is really personal choice because of the price. Again, I chose this because the previous BMWs I’ve had came with the B&O system which I really enjoyed. I have to be honest the B&O sound better. To get the same volume level 10 on Burmester I’d have to set it to level 20. Not disappointed in getting this but just something I’ve noticed.
• Mobile Charger Connect: I would recommend anyone who hasn’t ordered yet that if you do have this to go ahead and cancel it and just keep the standard (free) one that comes with the car. The only difference is a screen and the 25ft cable…that’s it. I would have been better off buying another Tesla Charger for $500 and getting an adapter…BTW Tesla just announced a new hardwired Tesla Charger with the J1XX?? adapter already built into it.

As some of you know taking deliver of my CT4 was delayed because of a missing TPS sensor then when that was installed, a recall for the hazar lights hit and I couldn’t get it until the software patch was delivered and installed so my delivery was delayed by almost two weeks. I was able to drive it for a few days before I flew out for vacation. One thing I did do was drop it back off at Porsche Hawaii to address some quirks while I was gone. The issues are similar to what I’ve seen addressed on the forums:

• Alarm going off randomly: Mine tended to go off when I manually locked the car with the key fob but if I just walked off and let lock it self it was fine. Also this alarm is freaking loud…just sayin
• Side view mirrors do not fold when auto locking: I turned this on in the screen menu but doesn’t seem to work when I walk away and let if self lock but if I press the key-fob to lock car they fold
• The foot wave does not work to open hatch: Something interesting happened when I was showing the tech that it wasn’t working. It actually worked (of course). But he had the key fob and was a foot farther away from me so it could be distance thing with the sensor
• Pressing the hatch lock button the hatch stops halfway: This is another feature that never worked until I tried to show the tech. Again he had the keyfob and was a foot way from me so maybe standing to close to that area in the rear may make the car think the key is inside and is just doing what it was programmed to do. The sensor might need to be adjusted.

I told the tech I’m pretty sure a lot of this might need to be resolved via software updates but I just wanted to use the time I’m away for them to have an opportunity to go over and document everything so at least I don’t need to come back for multiple visits. I’ll let everyone know what the tech tells me when I return next week.

Again, I apologize for jumping around in this post but I will post more upon my return from the mainland. BTW here’s a photo one of my friends sent me when he saw me driving near work.

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[cometguy]

• Rear Wheel Steering: I have to admit this is a must option for a car this wide. Makes maneuvering in the very tight Hawaiian parking lots a breeze also taking curves on roads and off/on ramps is excellent.

Have you driven a Taycan without rear-wheel steering? I'm always a little skeptical of people who have not driven both, who rave about rear-wheel steering. I'm used to driving Panameras without it, and I've never really had problems without it (and Panameras are several inches longer than Taycans)... To me, rear-wheel steering is not only something more expensive but something else that can "break" or have problems down the road, so if I were going to option it, I'd like to really know that it makes a noticeable, good difference. Of course, very few Porsche dealerships nowadays have two Taycans to test drive, let alone one with and one without rear-wheel turning...

 

[STLLTH]

Have you driven a Taycan without rear-wheel steering? I'm always a little skeptical of people who have not driven both, who rave about rear-wheel steering. I'm used to driving Panameras without it, and I've never really had problems without it (and Panameras are several inches longer than Taycans)... To me, rear-wheel steering is not only something more expensive but something else that can "break" or have problems down the road, so if I were going to option it, I'd like to really know that it makes a noticeable, good difference. Of course, very few Porsche dealerships nowadays have two Taycans to test drive, let alone one with and one without rear-wheel turning...

Aloha, yes I’ve test driven the Turbo, 4s, and RWD models here before deciding to place my order. The 4s had the rear shell steering and I could tell the difference not from a spirited driving point of view but from how I would actually drive in Hawaii. Going up parking garages in Hawaii has veerry tight turning radius’, parking spaces haven’t grown in width even though SUVs and raised trucks are king here, neighborhood roads are tight as well. Is rear wheel steering a make are break option for everyone…no its one of those options where if you got it you appreciate it. The warranty covers breakage and if you plan to keep it longer you can always buy the extended warranty from Porsche. I hope I was able to help with some insight into why I elected this particular option.

 

[BeTay22]

Of course, very few Porsche dealerships nowadays have two Taycans to test drive, let alone one with and one without rear-wheel turning...

Actually, they would have to have 4: the CTs have a bigger turning circle than the sedans. You can't rely on a test drive in one kind if you're going to get the other.

 

[JuTheKi]

I know I’m late with doing this but shortly after taking delivery I went off island to the mainland for vacation…I know why am I leaving Hawaii to go on vacation. You have to live here to understand we do get island fever from time to time and need a change of scenery. In our case we went to Arizona (one extreme to another). Please forgive me if I jump around in this post but just putting down my thoughts and impressions quickly as they pop into my head:

First off, I knew my CT4 would get attention but was not expecting the amount of head turns, thumbs up, and seeing people taking photos of it when I come out of buildings. I’ve even had friends send me photos in traffic asking me is this my car. It sits a lot lower in person than you think and drives very similar to my Macan GTS especially in turns/curves. It’s a very sporty but smooth ride at the same time. My wife noticed something I never gave much thought to until she mentioned it. I’m 6’3” with long legs (short torso) and she said she can’t believe how much head room I have in it. She was right, I looked up and saw I had about two hands of clearance from the top of my head to the glass roof and my legs were not banging against the center console like I’ve experienced in similar sized vehicles.

I purchased several options so I’ll go over what I got and why:

• Mamba Green: I’ve always liked this color and it’s one not seen a lot in Hawaii.
• 21” wheels: I really like the way these look. I know others will talk about how larger wheels affect the range. But I live on an island and range anxiety is not an issue here. I can circle Oahu twice on one 85% SOC.
• Black Standard Leather: I thought about going with a premium lighter leather but I’ve owned/leased more cars than I can remember and in all cases no matter much care I used, they always showed wear and markings so I decided to put that money into other options instead.
• Sport Chrono: I selected this more for the ease of selecting the drive mode than actually doing launch control (really how many of us will do launch control after the initial few times). This car has a lot of screen menus and since the CTs have the Gravel button instead of Sport one on the bottom screen I didn’t want to spend time and take my eyes off the road to change modes.
• Rear Wheel Steering: I have to admit this is a must option for a car this wide. Makes maneuvering in the very tight Hawaiian parking lots a breeze also taking curves on roads and off/on ramps is excellent.
• Technology Package: This is another well debated option package in the forums but I selected this one primarily for the heads up display because in the last few cars I’ve had this feature came with them I realized I relied on it more than I thought. The passenger screen was more of an ascetic/visual thing. Having that blank area next to the passenger seemed off to me (I know…first world problem).
• Burmester Speakers: This one is really personal choice because of the price. Again, I chose this because the previous BMWs I’ve had came with the B&O system which I really enjoyed. I have to be honest the B&O sound better. To get the same volume level 10 on Burmester I’d have to set it to level 20. Not disappointed in getting this but just something I’ve noticed.
• Mobile Charger Connect: I would recommend anyone who hasn’t ordered yet that if you do have this to go ahead and cancel it and just keep the standard (free) one that comes with the car. The only difference is a screen and the 25ft cable…that’s it. I would have been better off buying another Tesla Charger for $500 and getting an adapter…BTW Tesla just announced a new hardwired Tesla Charger with the J1XX?? adapter already built into it.

As some of you know taking deliver of my CT4 was delayed because of a missing TPS sensor then when that was installed, a recall for the hazar lights hit and I couldn’t get it until the software patch was delivered and installed so my delivery was delayed by almost two weeks. I was able to drive it for a few days before I flew out for vacation. One thing I did do was drop it back off at Porsche Hawaii to address some quirks while I was gone. The issues are similar to what I’ve seen addressed on the forums:

• Alarm going off randomly: Mine tended to go off when I manually locked the car with the key fob but if I just walked off and let lock it self it was fine. Also this alarm is freaking loud…just sayin
• Side view mirrors do not fold when auto locking: I turned this on in the screen menu but doesn’t seem to work when I walk away and let if self lock but if I press the key-fob to lock car they fold
• The foot wave does not work to open hatch: Something interesting happened when I was showing the tech that it wasn’t working. It actually worked (of course). But he had the key fob and was a foot farther away from me so it could be distance thing with the sensor
• Pressing the hatch lock button the hatch stops halfway: This is another feature that never worked until I tried to show the tech. Again he had the keyfob and was a foot way from me so maybe standing to close to that area in the rear may make the car think the key is inside and is just doing what it was programmed to do. The sensor might need to be adjusted.

I told the tech I’m pretty sure a lot of this might need to be resolved via software updates but I just wanted to use the time I’m away for them to have an opportunity to go over and document everything so at least I don’t need to come back for multiple visits. I’ll let everyone know what the tech tells me when I return next week.

Again, I apologize for jumping around in this post but I will post more upon my return from the mainland. BTW here’s a photo one of my friends sent me when he saw me driving near work.

So cool colour under the Hawaiian sun. Here in Finland I had to pick Ice Grey for obvious reasons ?.

 

[gtr_skyline]

Congrats, great write up.

 

[Pauhana99]

Will be another one in Hawaii by the end of the month! My CT4s is a few days out of San Diego now. TYD currently says it will be here 11/26. Hopefully I will be able to pick it up right after. -note this is a MY ‘22. Aloha!

 

[STLLTH]

Will be another one in Hawaii by the end of the month! My CT4s is a few days out of San Diego now. TYD currently says it will be here 11/26. Hopefully I will be able to pick it up right after. -note this is a MY ‘22. Aloha!

That’s fantastic! Looks like this will be good Thanksgiving for you. Would be nice to connect and compare builds. Let me know if you’re interested.

 

[riburn3]

Aloha, yes I’ve test driven the Turbo, 4s, and RWD models here before deciding to place my order. The 4s had the rear shell steering and I could tell the difference not from a spirited driving point of view but from how I would actually drive in Hawaii. Going up parking garages in Hawaii has veerry tight turning radius’, parking spaces haven’t grown in width even though SUVs and raised trucks are king here, neighborhood roads are tight as well. Is rear wheel steering a make are break option for everyone…no its one of those options where if you got it you appreciate it. The warranty covers breakage and if you plan to keep it longer you can always buy the extended warranty from Porsche. I hope I was able to help with some insight into why I elected this particular option.

This is a great summary of the rear steering option. I would definitely option it in Hawaii or if I lived in an older part of the country/world with tighter roads and limited parking.

I have it on my current 4S but left it off my CT4 build. Living In Texas where parking is abundant and roads are wide, I found I've never really had a use for it. It is a pretty cool option though, and it does make the car feel a lot smaller than it really is, especially at slower speeds.

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