Model year 2021 Taycan: Continuous updates for Porsche’s first electric sports car

The Porsche Taycan is receiving a number of updates and new features for the 2021 model year. Innovations include Plug & Charge, vehicle functions that can be flexibly booked online (Function on Demand, FoD), and a color head-up display, while seven new exterior colors and five new interior trims provide owners with more options and choices in configuring their Taycan. The styling (both inside and out), performance, and dynamics that set the Taycan apart remain unchanged – the new options bring with them an enhanced ownership experience.

Intuitive head-up display and intelligent Smartlift chassis function
A color head-up display is now available. This projects relevant information directly into the driver’s field of vision. The display has been divided into the main display section, status section and a section to show temporary content, such as calls or voice control commands. A navigation display, power meter and a user-defined view can also be selected as pre-sets.

Thanks to the new Smartlift function, included on models with adaptive air suspension, the Taycan can be programmed so that it is automatically raises in certain, recurring locations, for instance at speed bumps or driveways. The Smartlift function can also actively influence the vehicle’s ride height on the highway by adjusting the level to the best possible compromise between efficiency and ride comfort.

Flexible upgrades after vehicle purchase with Function on Demand (FoD)
Thanks to Function on Demand, Taycan drivers can purchase various convenience and assist functions as they wish, even after having taken delivery of their new car. Thanks to over-the-air updates, it is not necessary to visit a dealership to install the software package. The Porsche Intelligent Range Manager (PIRM) is already available as a Function on Demand. Active Lane Keep Assist and Porsche InnoDrive (available for cars equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control) will now be added as further Function on Demand options.

Customers can choose whether they want to purchase the respective function for their Taycan permanently or subscribe on a monthly basis. Customers will be offered a three-month trial period if they opt for a monthly subscription. After registering for an account, they can select the desired function(s) in the Porsche Connect Store. Once confirmed, Porsche sends a data package to the Taycan via the mobile phone network. Drivers are notified of the availability of the data package through the Porsche Communication Management (PCM). Activation takes just a few minutes. A notification appears on the central display once the function has been activated successfully. With the 2021 model year, four functions will be available for purchase and three will be available as monthly subscriptions. Pricing will be available shortly before market launch. The optional functions are as follows.

Active Lane Keep Assist helps the driver to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane using necessary steering intervention – even in dense traffic. InnoDrive individually adapts the speed of the vehicle to the conditions ahead, with specific consideration for speed limits, turns, traffic circles, and situations where you have to yield or stop.

When navigation-based route guidance is active, Porsche Intelligent Range Manager (PIRM) operates in the background, optimizing all system parameters to achieve the highest levels of comfort and shortest travelling time.

Even more convenient charging
Separate to the new Function on Demand services, Plug & Charge simplifies charging: Taycan drivers merely have to plug in the charging cable and authentication is handled automatically via the ISO 15118 standard. As a result, the charging station identifies the connected vehicle and can process payments securely and automatically. Plug & Charge will be available at many Electrify America charging points at the start of 2021.

Battery preservation while charging is another function that is new for the 2021 model year. It can regulate the charging capacity at suitable charging points (e.g. DC fast charging stations) to around 200 kW, when customers are planning to make a longer stop. This extends the battery’s service life and reduces the overall power loss while charging. Drivers can select this function using the central display. Of course, if customers choose not to use this option, a charging capacity of up to 270 kW remains available at 800-volt high-power charging stations.

Greater choice of colors
The 2021 Taycan model year offers a selection of seven new exterior colors: Mahogany Metallic, Frozenberry Metallic, Cherry Metallic, Coffee Beige Metallic, Chalk, Neptune Blue and Ice Grey Metallic. On the inside, five new interior options are available. A Black/Limestone Beige standard interior, Blackberry and Blackberry/Slate Grey leather interior, Graphite Blue/Slate Grey Race-Tex interior, and a Basalt Black/Meranti Brown OLEA Club Leather interior.

Currently standard on the Taycan Turbo S, the Carbon Sport Design package will be available for all model year 2021 Taycan versions. It includes elements such as carbon-fiber inserts in the bottom of the front section and in the side sill trims, as well as carbon-fiber fins on the rear diffuser.

PCM updates Porsche has also enhanced the standard equipment of the PCM system (Porsche Communication Management). SiriusXM 360L is now available. Apple® podcasts can now be selected as an individual media source. Media sources themselves can be reordered to suit driver preference. Porsche Charging Services compatible locations can be prioritized in the charging destination list.

Pricing and availability
2021 Taycan models will be available to order starting in Q4 2020, while U.S. dealer arrivals are expected in Q1 2021. Taycan 4S models can now be configured with the standard 79.2 kWh Performance Battery (EPA range estimate not available), and all Taycan models will come standard with a double-bubble aluminum roof and Mobile Charger Plus.

Text first published in the Porsche Newsroom.