The Porsche Taycan Almost Outsold the Iconic Porsche 911
Many automakers struggled last year when the pandemic made consumers seriously conservative with their spending budgets. Since then, sales numbers have predictably gone back up, but Q1 data shows amazing growth despite the pandemic. This is even true for luxury brands, such as Porsche.
However, another Porsche vehicle might topple the 911 from its best-selling throne. Porsche reports that the all-electric Taycan is also a huge hit this year. How does the Taycan compete with the long-established Porsche 911?
Why the Porsche 911 has so many fans
Although challenged by the Taycan, the Porsche 911 is far from a second-rate vehicle. The standard 2021 model is rated at 379 hp and comes with front-wheel drive, but upgrading to the S model gets you AWD. Additionally, the 911 Carrera S is rated at 443 hp and can be paired with a seven-speed manual transmission instead of the common eight-speed automatic.
The 911 Turbo S models are the brawniest option, producing 640 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. While the Turbo models are obviously quicker, every 911 model is incredibly satisfying to drive. It has snappy steering and handles beautifully, while the suspension stays surprisingly cushy.
You can also outfit the Porsche 911 with several fun enhancements, like launch control or a sport exhaust. One potential downside is that the interior of the Porsche 911 can be tight for some riders, especially in the backseat. Still, it has an aesthetically pleasing design and comes with user-friendly technology.
The exceptional sales numbers of the Porsche Taycan
Torque News reports that 9,072 units of the Porsche Taycan were sold between January and March. The 911 barely pulled ahead, selling 9,132 units. Porsche also reported a 35-percent increase in sales from 2020, with 71,986 units sold in total for Q1.
According to AutoEvolution, the Porsche Taycan has already surged ahead of the 911 for Q2. It sold 3,359 units, while the Porsche 911 only sold 2,326. The 911 could always bounce back for Q3, but it might also have to compete with the all-new Taycan Cross Turismo.
What the Taycan offers
Obviously, the Porsche Taycan is more appealing to greener drivers because of its electric powertrain. The base car comes with a 79-kWh battery rated for 199 miles on a single charge. Paired with its electric motor, it can make up to 402 hp with the Overboost feature enabled.
Every Taycan can also be optioned with the 93-kWh battery, which gets 227 miles. It comes paired with two electric motors on the Taycan 4S, producing up to 482 hp. The Taycan Turbo 4S is rated at 616 hp or 750 hp with Overboost.
The Taycan is no slouch for speed, with the base model reportedly reaching 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. For comparison, Car and Driver found that the base 911 Carrera reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds at most. The Porsche Taycan handles just as well as the 911, and you barely even notice the electronic regenerative braking.
On the inside, the Porsche Taycan can seat up to five riders depending on the model. The backseat’s dimensions still aren’t overly generous for tall people, but these riders can still get reasonably comfortable on short trips. The cabin is a comfortable and luxurious space, highlighted by a large center infotainment touchscreen.
Best of all, the Porsche Taycan has a slightly more accessible price point than the 911. According to Porsche, the Taycan base model retails for $79,900, while the standard 911 costs a minimum of $101,200. While both cars are similar in terms of power, the Taycan’s increased efficiency and value make it a worthy competitor.
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