Porsche has sold 75,000 Taycans to date. Now everyone gets a free update. Thanks to better efficiency, e-athletes can get further and charge faster. And your navigation system will know Tesla Super Chargers in the future.
In March 2021, Porsche already updated the Taycan - the electric car got even faster. The software update for model year 2023 (abbreviation P) is offered by the Zuffenhausen-based company for all model variants, regardless of vehicle age, engine, body and market. Also this time it does not work over the air, the customers have to make an appointment in their Porsche workshop and leave the car there for a day. On the one hand, not all control units of the Taycan can handle over-the-air updates, on the other hand, depending on the year of manufacture, the update consists of such large amounts of data that one would prefer not to do the process wirelessly, says Kevin Giek, head of the Taycan series. In return, Giek promises: "Anyone who has driven a Taycan from the very beginning will be pleasantly surprised after the update at what has happened on the vehicle side in the meantime." Depending on the year of manufacture, customers benefit, among other things, from an increase in the efficiency of the drive as well as new functions and improvements in infotainment (Porsche Communication Management, PCM), networking (Porsche Connect) and the assistance systems.
The update also includes the option of having individual functions and equipment unlocked after purchase (Function on demand, FoD). In addition, more areas can then be updated over-the-air on all Taycans. Best of all, the update is free for customers. "With this campaign, all customers benefit from the permanent further development of the Taycan. Since 2019, we have comprehensively optimized the model series in almost all areas," says series manager Giek. Here are the improvements in detail:
Plug & Charge is coming
Since the end of 2021, the 22 kW onboard charger can be retrofitted. Customers can combine this upgrade with the workshop visit for the software update at their own expense. With a charging capacity of up to 22 kW, the more powerful version charges the battery much faster, even on AC chargers. In Europe and North America, retrofitting also involves enabling the Plug & Charge function. It enables convenient charging and payment without a card or app. As soon as the charging cable is plugged in, the Taycan communicates in encrypted form with the charging station - provided this is Plug & Charge capable. The loading and payment process then start automatically.
Front electric motor for decoupling
In the "Normal" and "Range" driving modes, the front electric motor is almost completely decoupled and de-energized on the all-wheel drive models in the partial load range. When coasting and when stationary, both axes are free of drive torques.Since both synchronous machines in the Taycan have permanent magnets, a certain induction torque remains even when the power is switched off; According to series manager Gieck, ensuring that this does not cause problems in the inverter and how the developers managed this is a challenge and a secret for Porsche. In any case, the electric freewheel reduces drag losses and thus increases the range (not alone) - according to WLTP by up to 50 to a good 500 kilometers.
The four-wheel drive display is now shown as an energy flow display in the central display. This makes it easier to see the current operating status of the drives. The recuperation strategy has also been optimized. For example, the Auto-Reku setting is retained even if the driver changes the driving program. A gain in convenience for the customer. These improvements affect Taycan model years 2020 and 2021.
Faster charging thanks to better thermal management
Better conditioning of the battery, especially in the cold, enables more frequent fast charging and also over a wider range of the state of charge (SoC). According to Porsche, the waste heat from the electronic components is used even more than before. For the Taycan of the 2020 and 2021 model years, this allows a longer range and shorter charging times to be achieved; this is already standard with younger models.
Now with Spotify and Tesla Super Chargers
In Taycan of model years 2020, 2021 and in vehicles produced up to mid-February 2022, voice control is optimized after the update and the Spotify app is integrated. Android Auto is available wirelessly.
Charging stations can now be selected in the navigation filtered by charging power. The Swabians have no fear of contact with Tesla: the navigation system will be able to display the superchargers of the Americans, which will in future also be open to third-party manufacturers in Germany.
Activation of functions after vehicle purchase (FoD)
Anyone driving a 2021 model year Taycan with a head-up display can look forward to the optimized display, such as the navigation map. The display content has been expanded. For all Taycans before model year 2023, the on-board operating instructions can now also be used via voice control. The sensors of the parking assistant now work with a greater range, the search for free parking spaces now also finds smaller gaps. The Taycan from model years 2020, 2021 and 2022 will benefit from these improvements. All Taycans from these model years can now also be activated with the keyless opening function (comfort access) of doors and tailgate if desired - but this is not free of charge: Porsche charges 29 per month for this. 75 euros; for an unlimited period of time, a one-off payment of around 1,327 euros is due.
Conclusion
The J1 platform of the Porsche Taycan is designed very consistently when changing the drive and, with the 800-volt technology, set a trend-setting standard that BMW and Daimler have not yet followed with their iX and EQS premium e-models - Hyundai and Kia does.
In terms of electronics, the Taycan is even closer to architectures with a combustion engine. All the more remarkable is the second update, which has an amazing impact on the drive and battery management - every e-car driver should welcome more range. Plug & Charge will also increase convenience in everyday life - the capabilities of one or the other charging station are probably the limiting factor. Tesla has been doing this for a long time. But their supercharger can at least display the Taycan's navigation system after the update.
