From uncompromisingly sporty to comfortable: the chassis of the Taycan offers a broad spectrum, with a choice between the precise handling of a sports car and the long-distance comfort of a saloon. For its basic layout, the Porsche Taycan uses a double-wishbone axle with forged aluminium wishbones and hollow-cast aluminium lightweight swivel bearings at the front. On the rear axle, a multi-link axle with forged upper aluminium wishbones and hollow-cast lower aluminium wishbones performs wheel guidance.
Thanks to the new Smartlift function, installed as standard in conjunction with adaptive air suspension, the Taycan can be programmed so that it is automatically raised in certain recurring locations, for instance over speed bumps or on garage driveways.
Porsche 4D Chassis Control: intelligent command centre
Porsche uses a centrally networked control system for the Taycan chassis. The 4D Chassis Control analyses the current driving situation in all three dimensions (longitudinal, lateral and vertical acceleration) and then calculates the vehicle status. It then shares this status with all the chassis systems in real time – adding a fourth dimension to chassis control. As a result, the systems provide an integrated response to the imminent driving situation.
PASM: real-time analysis and synchronisation
The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic shock absorber control system is included as a standard feature. The system responds to the road-surface conditions and the current driving style, continuously adjusting damping for each individual wheel accordingly. Drivers can choose from four driving modes: Range, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus (for further details, see the Drive section ).
So, how does PASM work? Sensors record the body movements generated during fast acceleration, braking, fast cornering or driving over uneven road surfaces. PASM sends the recorded data to the Porsche 4D Chassis Control. The command centre calculates the current vehicle status and regulates the damper characteristics and spring rates depending on the selected mode. Thanks to the three-chamber air-suspension technology, different air-suspension volumes can be switched within milliseconds. The 4D Chassis Control system also allows the control parameters of the other electronic suspension systems to be adjusted accordingly. The result is more driving stability, performance and comfort.
The Taycan uses a single-tube damper instead of a conventional twin-tube damper. This is not only lighter, but it also offers a better response and a greater balance between comfort and sportiness.
Adaptive air suspension now with Smartlift function
The Taycan’s three-chamber air suspension provides a wide range of spring rates. This allows the chassis to be adjusted to a low basic spring rate and therefore made more comfortable. As soon as necessary, the spring rate is electronically adjusted in a fraction of a second – for example when accelerating and braking. Roll movements are reduced via volume control.
Thanks to the new Smartlift function, installed as standard in conjunction with adaptive air suspension, the Taycan can be programmed so that it is automatically raised in certain recurring locations, for instance over speed bumps or on garage driveways. The Smartlift function can also actively influence the vehicle’s driving height on motorway journeys by adjusting the vehicle’s level to the best possible compromise between efficiency and driving comfort.
In addition, the air suspension offers the well-known advantages of ride height control. These include the fact that the vehicle height remains the same or at the desired level, regardless of the vehicle load. What is more, the frontal area can be reduced in two stages by lowering the front end, thus optimising the range. Three further levels are available in addition to the normal level, depending on the driving modes. In the Range and Sport Plus modes, the chassis is always in the lowest position (minus 22 mm):
- The lift level raises the chassis by 20 mm to prevent the front spoiler from bottoming, for example when entering an underground car park. This level can be set at speeds up to 30 km/h.
- From a speed of 90 km/h, the Taycan is lowered by 10 mm.
- And when 180 km/h is reached, the body is automatically lowered by a total of 22 mm to improve roadholding and aerodynamics at high speeds.
PDCC Sport active roll stabilisation: quick to react and efficient
The optionally available active roll stabilisation system Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) uses electromechanical anti-roll bars. When required, the system reacts in just 200 milliseconds in order to stiffen the anti-roll bars to prevent the body from rolling. This makes PDCC more than 30 per cent faster than similar systems using hydraulic actuators. A further advantage is the lower energy consumption of the system, which is particularly important for an electric vehicle and allows the electric range to be optimised.
Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus): more agile self-steering
The optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) uses an electronically controlled differential lock on the rear axle for variable distribution of the drive torque between the rear wheels. On the one hand, additional yaw torque can be generated on the rear axle by braking the inner wheel on the bend. This ensures that the vehicle’s steering response is even more agile. On the other hand, it improves traction by specifically locking the differential when accelerating out of corners.
Rear-axle steering: maximum steering precision and easier manoeuvring
A rear-axle steering system is offered as an option. This further increases comfort, driving safety and driving dynamics. The vehicle steers without delay and builds up lateral acceleration at the rear axle much sooner. The result is even more impressive steering precision.
At low speeds of up to about 50 km/h, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels. The steering angle depends on the driving speed and is a maximum of 2.8 degrees. This virtual shortening of the wheelbase results in a more dynamic steering response when cornering. At the same time, manoeuvring is easier as the turning circle is reduced by around 60 cm to 11.2 metres. In addition, with rear-axle steering the Taycan automatically features Power Steering Plus with greater support for steering assistance at low speeds.
At speeds above approximately 50 km/h, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front axle, again depending on the speed. The wheelbase is virtually lengthened, increasing stability, for example when changing lanes on the motorway.
The brakes: high-performance systems with ceramic materials
On the high-performance brake, Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB), the braking power and wear resistance are increased by the application of a tungsten carbide coating to the cast-iron brake discs. At the same time, the soiling of the rims by brake dust is reduced. The PSCB is particularly interesting for electric vehicles. Since the conventional brakes are used less frequently due to recuperation, depending on driving style, the PSCB always guarantees shiny brake discs due to its high resistance to corrosion.
The top-of-the-range system is the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). The lightweight ceramic composite brake discs are 420 and 410 mm in size respectively on the front and rear axles.
Braking behaviour and braking feel remain consistent thanks to the blending-capable brake system – regardless of whether the battery is cold or warm, full or empty.
Here is an overview of the standard brake systems:
| Taycan | Brake system | Colour of brake callipers | Front axle | Rear axle | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter | Number of pistons | Diameter | Number of pistons | |||
| Taycan | Cast-iron brakes | Black | 360 mm | 6 | 358 mm | 4 |
| 4S | Cast-iron brakes | Red | 360 mm | 6 | 358 mm | 4 |
| Turbo | Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) | White | 410 mm | 6 | 365 mm | 4 |
| Turbo S | Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) | Yellow | 420 mm | 10 | 410 mm | 4 |
The wheels: three sizes, many designs
The wheel range comprises 19-inch (standard on Taycan and Taycan 4S), 20-inch (standard on Taycan Turbo) and 21-inch (standard on Taycan Turbo S) sizes. The summer tyres of the 19-inch and 20-inch wheels (front 245/45 R 20, rear 285/40 R 20) are range-optimised. The tyres of the 21-inch wheels (front 265/35 R 21, rear 305/30 R 21) are performance-oriented.
All the wheels have been aerodynamically optimised. In addition to numerous paint finishes, for example Aurum or Deep Black Metallic, Exclusive Design wheels with carbon aeroblades also provide extra opportunities for buyers to customise their vehicles.
