Taycan steering feel

[Tavsan]

Yeah I have read others say the same thing regarding how Taycan drives and feels, like a Porsche. So I am not worried that I would hate the GTS, just want to ensure I have the right options selected. Hence my questions to make sure I am not missing any options in case there are important options for it.

This car drives and feels like a Porsche through and through. Cockpit position and steering feel are what make this car feel so great. If you didn't like it, I'm not sure what you would enjoy.

As others have said, you probably better take her for a spin in Sport or Sport+ to know for sure. Not worth throwing away 150k on a GTS if you don't like how it feels.

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[Tavsan]

Very interesting! So different steering feel between two Taycan 4S cars. Cannot be just the tires, right? Maybe options?

Yeah I am not expecting to feel the minor road surface details, those days are unfortunately gone. Like I said I want to make sure I check all the right options for my GTS order.

That's definitely not true. I have a loaner 4S right now, and the steering is very different from my 4S. Personally, I think my car's steering is quite significantly superior to the loaner's.

But it's true that the days of feeling every bump or imperfection on the road surface are gone. If that's what OP is after, I don't think he'll get it with any modern car.

 

[Tavsan]

Good to know, thanks. I did not try the sport plus mode on the 4S. It was in normal mode, then at one time I tried the Sport mode. Do not remember steering getting tighter. I will try to get another test drive scheduled and try the Sports plus mode and pay attention to the steering. In Sports mode the throttle response was so different I pinned everybody to their seats when I hit the gas pedal ?

Sport plus mode tightens up the steering on my 4s significantly.

 

[wurzitup]

I've driven both a 4S and a RWD, and have a RWD on order. The steering feel between the 2 was very akin to me like how a 2S 911 and a 4S 911 feel. The front driven axle definitely in my book removes some of the road feel out of the front end, and you can definitely feel the steering wheel reacting to the torque moving through it. This is also complete different than the other 911 (and perhaps rear drive Taycan) trait of a slightly "lighter" front end feel than a regular car. This isn't to say the steering is "floaty" or uncommunicative, in fact just the opposite. My 997 and even 991 had some of the sharpest hydraulically boosted steering I've ever felt.
My take home impression with the Taycan was and is its some of the best handling, nailed down from end and handling in general of any car I've ever driven. If you aren't immediately blown away by the grip and feel of this car through the front axle, yes there is something wrong with you lol.
Just my 0.02.

 

[Fish Fingers]

I think the steering on my RWD is the best I have had on any of my recent cars (and my last car was an M2). It feels really precise and well weighted and balanced.
No Sport Chrono.

Interested to know what the OP is coming from?
Maybe it just feels different from existing car on first test drive.

 

[f1eng]

I am a fairly new Taycan fan, getting ready to place an order for a Taycan GTS ST (as soon as I find an allocation to factory order). I test drove a 2021 Taycan 4S. I did not like the steering feel of the 4S. Maybe it was not in the correct mode for a decent steering feel. I am starting this thread to learn from you all. If it was possible I would choose manual steering (yeah I know it would require a lot of arm muscles!) so I like the steering feel as real as possible. What is the steering feel on the Taycan is like and what settings, options make it better? For instance does PDCC make it better? Does the Power Steering Plus make it softer or more real? If it is the former I hope I can disable it since it is standard on the GTS ST.

Very surprised.

When I had my test drive of the 4S Cross Tuirismo one of the most remarkable delights was the steering feel for a modern car, even in normal mode.

The roads round here are narrow and twisty and IME show up steering shortcomings more markedly than straight roads and 90 degree junctions.

I went to the demo in my all manual old Ferrari too, so any shortcomings would have been stark.

 

[W1NGE]

I am a fairly new Taycan fan, getting ready to place an order for a Taycan GTS ST (as soon as I find an allocation to factory order). I test drove a 2021 Taycan 4S. I did not like the steering feel of the 4S. Maybe it was not in the correct mode for a decent steering feel. I am starting this thread to learn from you all. If it was possible I would choose manual steering (yeah I know it would require a lot of arm muscles!) so I like the steering feel as real as possible. What is the steering feel on the Taycan is like and what settings, options make it better? For instance does PDCC make it better? Does the Power Steering Plus make it softer or more real? If it is the former I hope I can disable it since it is standard on the GTS ST.

The car must have Power Steering Plus (not standard in UK on all cars but is on GTS) at a minimum which gives you speed sensitive steering (stiffer the faster you go and is excellent). Ideally, you also want to incorporate Rear Axle Steering too which also includes Power Steering Plus.

Selecting 'Sport' mode will immediately stiffen the steering (and stiffen the suspension) and in 'Normal' mode it will be less noticeable but still stiffen at speed.

To get 'more' you'll need 'Sports Plus' drive mode which only comes with the Sports Chrono package but not a mode that you would typically drive around in all day.

PDCC (option) or PTV+ (std on GTS) will likely not make a difference to the steering - more to do with chassis control, (@f1eng) will advise!

You can't control the feeling of Power Steering Plus (or dial it back) other than selecting a drive mode but surprised (at all) that you've highlighted this as a possible concern given the excellent dynamics of the car for normal road use.

 

[Tavsan]

I see your point. Best steering feel I have right now is with my BMW 330CI. Our other BMWs don't have that steering feel (even in sports modes) because they have electric steering vs the 330Ci's hydraulic steering.

I think the steering on my RWD is the best I have had on any of my recent cars (and my last car was an M2). It feels really precise and well weighted and balanced.
No Sport Chrono.

Interested to know what the OP is coming from?
Maybe it just feels different from existing car on first test drive.

 

[Tavsan]

The car must have Power Steering Plus (not standard in UK on all cars but is on GTS) at a minimum which gives you speed sensitive steering (stiffer the faster you go and is excellent). Ideally, you also want to incorporate Rear Axle Steering too which also includes Power Steering Plus.

Selecting 'Sport' mode will immediately stiffen the steering (and stiffen the suspension) and in 'Normal' mode it will be less noticeable but still stiffen at speed.

To get 'more' you'll need 'Sports Plus' drive mode which only comes with the Sports Chrono package but not a mode that you would typically drive around in all day.

PDCC (option) or PTV+ (std on GTS) will likely not make a difference to the steering - more to do with chassis control, (@f1eng) will advise!

You can't control the feeling of Power Steering Plus (or dial it back) other than selecting a drive mode but surprised (at all) that you've highlighted this as a possible concern given the excellent dynamics of the car for normal road use.

Here is the window sticker for the 2021 4S I test drove. It does not have Power Steering Plus. I guess that explains it?

 

[W1NGE]

Here is the window sticker for the 2021 4S I test drove. It does not have Power Steering Plus. I guess that explains it?

Certainly would improve things markedly when fitted. Note that it is also available as a Function on Demand (no prior hardware factory fit required) which can be paid for or used on a subscription basis and downloaded for a trial basis on demand. It should (of course) be standard - this is a Porsche for heaven's sake!

 

[Tavsan]

I see so it is a software feature. I guess it changes the power steering boost mapping. Nice that you can try it before buying it! And yes it should be standard (like a lot of others).

Certainly would improve things markedly when fitted. Note that it is also available as a Function on Demand (no prior hardware factory fit required) which can be paid for or used on a subscription basis and downloaded for a trial basis on demand. It should (of course) be standard - this is a Porsche for heaven's sake!

 

[PanameraFrank]

Are you talking about steering feel or steering weight? I was referring to steering feedback, ie.. mimicking mechanical steering.The above is referring to steering weight.

Yes, certain things change the steering weight slightly.

But they do not markedly improve the feedback and in fact many of the options dampen it if anything.

RAS (including PSP) and PDCC have improved to the point of being nearly invisible but definitely do not improve natural (ie.. mechanical) feel and if anything add a touch of unnatural feeling to the steering.

Power Steering Plus specifically is an option I would uncheck if I could separate it from RAS, it is useful but not natural feeling at all.

I think the Taycan is a tick behind the 992 for natural steering feel in an electric rack but still heads and shoulders above most other modern offerings. But if you're expecting to get more feedback/natural steering than you experienced on your test drive I think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Tavsan]

Are you talking about steering feel or steering weight? I was referring to steering feedback, ie.. mimicking mechanical steering.The above is referring to steering weight.

I am talking about steering feedback.

Yes, certain things change the steering weight slightly.

But they do not markedly improve the feedback and in fact many of the options dampen it if anything.

RAS (including PSP) and PDCC have improved to the point of being nearly invisible but definitely do not improve natural (ie.. mechanical) feel and if anything add a touch of unnatural feeling to the steering.

Power Steering Plus specifically is an option I would uncheck if I could separate it from RAS, it is useful but not natural feeling at all.

Hmm, so the steering feedback is better without PSP?

I think the Taycan is a tick behind the 992 for natural steering feel in an electric rack but still heads and shoulders above most other modern offerings. But if you're expecting to get more feedback/natural steering than you experienced on your test drive I think you'll be disappointed.

992 has hydraulic steering right? So if Taycan is not far behind the 992 than I am good. I may need to adjust my steering feedback gauge calibration.

 

[schad]

Very interesting! So different steering feel between two Taycan 4S cars. Cannot be just the tires, right? Maybe options?

Yeah, the loaner is a pretty low spec, even for a dealer spec car. No sport chrono and only partial leather (so no premium package). If it hasn't got those, there's no way it has any of the performance options.

I think power steering plus (PSP) and rear axle steering (RAS) are the two most important options for you. Torque vectoring (PTV+) improves turn-in, so it may also improve your experience meaningfully.

I will agree that RAS at first did feel creepy. It's like watching a linebacker do ballet; something so big has no right to be so nimble.

Unfortunately, the performance options are among the hardest to find on any dealer lot, and it's hard to tell if you'll find them worthwhile without a test drive in a car that has them.

 

[hooneyrob]

When I first drove my TurboS, I didn’t like the steering. It’s too light for my liking but I’ve become used to it I guess.. you can feel the car but not in the same way as a more mechanical experience.

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