According to Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Board of Management at Porsche AG, the luxury German carmaker is hoping that by 2025, half of its sales will be all-electric vehicles. Before one of the best-known German car brands gets there, they’ll first have to expand their EV range. The onset of this expansion is scheduled for MY 2020 when the all-new 4-door sedan Taycan and its Cross Turismo sibling are debuting. The 2020 Porsche lineup of EVs will be followed by the next-gen Macan EV and still-undisclosed line of future Porsche models.
The influx of new models is bound to help the German company almost instantly via a substantial increase in overall sales. Speaking of which, Porsche’s global sales for 2018 came to a stop at exactly 256,255 units, which is an increase of almost 4 percent compared to 2017. The Germans have had a successful year in spite of a 4 percent downturn in European sales figures. This success is mostly owed to the rapidly growing Chinese market which is yet again the company’s largest single-country market with 80,108 sold vehicles and an increase of around 12 percent compared to 2017.
The U.S. market was another strong-selling single market for the Porsche brand throughout 2018 during which the Germans have accumulated 57,202 sales. That’s a 3 percent increase compared to 2017 when they had sold 55,420 vehicles.
It’s also worth noting that the company has stopped marketing diesel-engined vehicles making them the first German car manufacturer to do so. This has certainly had an impact on company’s overall sales which could have apparently been even stronger. In addition, the new WLTP fuel consumption and emissions regulation in Europe stand out as the obvious culprit behind dwindling sales across the Atlantic.
Let’s now shift our focus to the upcoming 2020 Porsche vehicles.
What’s Hot in the New 2020 Porsche Lineup
06. 2020 Taycan
First previewed as the Mission E Concept car in 2015, the 2020 Porsche Taycan is finally here. The company’s first all-electric car will be available in both fastback sedan and wagon body styles for improved versatility and broader appeal.
More importantly, the EV supports ultra-fast 800-volt charging technology and sport charging docks on both sides. Thanks to that, the EV should be able to provide up to 60 miles of range in just 4 minutes of charging or north of 200 miles in 15 minutes.
The Taycan’s prices are starting at $104,000 for the base 4S model which is some $20,000 more than what the German company’s other sedan/wagon, the Panamera starts from. The range-topping Porsche Taycan Turbo S, on the other hand, requires at least $186,000. And that’s all before extras.
The new Porsche Taycan’s powertrain consists of dual permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors – one at each axle for a permanent all-wheel drive system. Depending on the chosen package, Porsche’s first EV generates either 523 hp or 563 hp in more basic forms which will be unveiled at a later date. At the moment, however, only the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S can be ordered, and these make 671 hp and 751 hp respectively. The former models use a smaller 79.2-kWh, while the latter use a larger 93.4-kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack.
Moreover, the most powerful Porsche Taycan variation doesn’t have any issues accelerating to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds while providing around 225 miles of total range on a single charge. The slightly more affordable non-S Turbo models are good enough for 270 miles, while the upcoming entry-level units are expected to provide north of 300 miles of range.
Later on, Porsche will add the Sport Turismo wagon and the Cross-Turismo models with added elevation. However, they first have to sort out the newfound delivery issues which have pushed the first model deliveries to Spring/Summer of 2020.
05. 2020 Porsche 911
The all-new 992 Series of Porsche’s most iconic nameplate has entered the fray during the Summer of 2019 and replaced the outgoing 991 models which have been in production since 2012. The all-new 2020 Porsche 911 is a meager 0.8 inches longer than its predecessor, while the Sport models are 1.3 inches longer. At the same time, both the front and rear track have been widened by more than 1.5 inches for extra grip.
Contrary to popular trends, the new models are around 160 pounds heavier than the outgoing units despite boasting only 30 percent steel in their frame (compared to 63 percent in 991 Series). Their structural rigidity is up by 5 percent, however.
Design-wise, the next-generation 911 incorporates a rear end uni-light first previewed on the Cayenne SUV but otherwise clings to the foolproof layout from decades past. Base (at the moment) Porsche 911 Carrera S models start from $114,500, while the Carrera 4S coupe requires almost $122,000. Convertibles, on the other hand, cost $127,500 and $135,000 respectively. The 992 Series 911’s range will be expanded gradually with more expensive models like the ultimate Porsche 911 Turbo joining later on.
Much like it is the case with the next-gen 911’s styling, the powertrain layout also remains generally unchanged. The new car is still powered by a 3.0L flat-six engine, only this time its twin turbos allow it to generate as much as 444 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of twist. All that power is routed to either rear or all four wheels via an 8-speed PDK automatic which replaces an old 7-speed unit. More importantly, the new transmission will be able to facilitate the eventual hybrid powertrain that might arrive somewhere down the line.
The initial Porsche 911 Carrera S and 4S models with the optional Sport Chrono Package are able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 or 3.2 seconds respectively. Despite growing in size, becoming more luxurious, and more complex than ever, the 911 still obviously has what it takes to retain candidacy for one of, if not the best sports cars in the world. The fact it goes fox six digits nowadays is arguably its only downside, but a large one at that.
04. 2020 Cayenne
The introduction of the Cayenne Junior (that is, the Macan) means that the larger SUV is now the second best-selling Porsche model. However, that doesn’t undermine its significance for the brand. The Stuttgart-based manufacturer owes its current positioning on the market to none other than the Cayenne SUV. Moreover, the two crossovers account for more than half of Porsche’s U.S. sales alone.
The new Cayenne for MY 2020 has been carried over without significant changes considering the third-generation models have only just debuted for MY 2019. However, there’s a new model coming to rectify that particular situation. The all-new Cayenne Coupe sports a more fastback-like body with a heavily revised rear end but otherwise, still features a very similar styling overall.
Considering how practicality isn’t one of Cayenne’s strong points, an even less practical coupe-like crossover fits in just fine. The new model is some $8,500 more expensive than the conventional entry-level Cayenne which starts from around $67,000. The Cayenne S costs around $84,000 and the Turbo models require $126,000. In other words, the base Cayenne Coupe starts from around $75,500 but more upscale units don’t exhibit such a wide price discrepancy among them. The Cayenne Coupe S starts from $88,500, while the Turbo Coupe starts from $130,000.
The new Cayenne Coupe retains the regular model’s powertrain range in its entirety. Both the conventional and Porsche Cayenne Coupe offer no fewer than three distinct engine options, not including the hybrids. The base Cayenne is motivated by a 3.0L turbocharged V6 with 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque while the more powerful Cayenne S gets a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 with 440 hp and 406 lb-ft.
They’re no match for Cayenne Turbo’s 4.0L twin-turbo V8, however. The most powerful option generates a whopping 550 ponies and 567 pound-feet of rotational force. The aforementioned E-Hybrid models start from north of $80,000 ($86,500 in the Coupe form) and pair the entry-level engine with an electric motor for a combined 455 horsepower and up to 27 miles of EV range.
Finally, the Turbo S E-Hybrid Cayennes do the same with the powerful V8 for a combined total of 671 horsepower. The last setup has been available with the Panamera for a while beforehand, before finally migrating to the Cayenne range.
03. 2020 Macan
The all-new Macan EV has recently been announced for a 2022 debut, but the conventional gasoline-burning versions aren’t going anywhere in the meantime. The compact luxury crossover has just recently received a mid-cycle update that brings it in line with the next-gen Porsche design language – mainly around the back.
One thing hasn’t changed, however. The Macan is still the most agile and powerful compact crossover money can buy, and at just north of $50,000, the entry-level Macan is also the most affordable way of getting into the Porsche world. The range-topping models, however, are as expensive as any other Porsche, and will flirt with six digits given the opportunity.
Despite being the best-selling Porsche model in the U.S. with 23,504 models sold during 2018, the Macan doesn’t come without an issue or two. Apart from being more expensive than its rivals, the compact can also be cramped at the back.
The base Macan sports a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four engine capable of putting up 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque – 4 ponies less than last year. The all-new (to the U.S. market) Macan S bridges the gap between the base and GTS models by requiring around $60,000, and providing 348 ponies and 352 pound-feet of torque – courtesy of a 3.0L V6 with a twin-scroll turbocharger.
The refreshed Macan Turbo models, which cost around $83,500 use a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 mill which cranks up 434 horsepower. The Macan GTS is nowhere to be seen during early model year 2020 but it’s still expected to arrive at a later date.
All models still cling to a traditional 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox and mandatory all-wheel drive, and that won’t change before the next-generation of models arrives. Speaking of which, the new models will likely be presented alongside the all-new Macan EVs which means there’s plenty of time before that happens.
02. 2020 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder
The Porsche 718 duo has finally been given a substantial overhaul, and although the all-new 718’s look like the next-gen models, they’ll actually be sold alongside the conventional Cayman/Boxster and GTS models which have been around in that form since 2016.
The all-new range-topping 718 Cayman GT4 and Bosxter (now called Spyder) give back the non-forced induction to the masses – something that the current-generation of 718’s has taken away from us a while back. A 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six engine doesn’t only provide a more savory exhaust note, but also redlines at 8,000 rpm, and cranks up 414 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque. They’re also exclusively paired with a proper 6-speed manual transmission, while their top speed caps at 186 mph for the convertible or 187 mph for the coupe.
Needless to say, the new Porsche 718 Cayman and Spyder also receive a revised PASM suspension with adaptive dampers, a 1.18-inches lower ride height, and large 20-inch wheels wrapped in Sport Cup 2 rubber among other things.
While the coupe version of the new naturally aspirated sports car starts from just shy of $100,000, the Spyder, contrary to usual practice, requires around $3,000 less.
On the lower end of the Porsche 718 range, the same old 2.0L turbocharged flat-four mill still provides a healthy 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of rotational force. Buyers are presented with a choice between a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Both the entry-level Boxster and Cayman can be had for less than $60,000.
The previous range-topper uses a more powerful 2.5L turbo four mill which is rated at 365 ponies and 309 lb-ft of torque. The GTS 718’s command higher price tags of more than $80,000.
01. 2020 Panamera
The second most expensive Porsche car behind the iconic 911 starts from just over $87,000 but possesses ample potential to cross the six-digit barrier in an instant. The oddball 4-door luxury car was last updated during MY 2017, while its lineup last grew during MY 2019 when the high-performance GTS models joined the range.
Now-complete, the flagship car boasts Porsche’s traditional performance edge with tons of added versatility and practicality points. Its conventional lineup is complemented by two distinctive plug-in hybrid options that raise the bar even further. Not to mention the fact that every Panamera model is available in both the oddball sedan and even more oddball wagon body styles. The most expensive models in the top Executive trims go for north of $200,000.
There are three distinctive internal combustion powerplants available with conventional Panameras, but hybrid models further extend the range of options in this instance. The base Panameras pack 330 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque thanks to their 3.0L turbocharged V6. The Panamera 4S serves as the next step on the ladder thanks to its 2.9L twin-turbo V6 with 440 ponies and 405 lb-ft of twist. Finally, the Panamera GTS and Turbo models utilize a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 mill which cranks up as much as 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque or 550 hp and 567 lb-ft respectively.
Unlike the Cayenne, which utilizes the entry-level engine, the Panamera’s hybrids pair either a mid-range or a range-topping engine with lithium-ion battery packs and electric motors. The former 4 E-Hybrid models generate 462 hp and 516 lb-ft of rotational force, while the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid puts up a hefty 680 ponies and 626 pound-feet of torque. All are paired with 8-speed PDK automatics. What’s more, depending on a model of choice, the Panamera can be ordered in both a rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
What’s Not in the New 2020 Porsche Lineup
Has there ever existed a Porsche that people dubbed uncool or unworthy of the illustrious prancing horse badge? Actually, the Volkswagen-sourced 914 and 924 instantly come to mind, and even some insanely powerful and even more insanely priced models like the Carrera GT easily fit the description. Is there a half-arsed model in the contemporary Porsche portfolio? Probably not. That’s why we’ll leave this bottom part of our hot/cold list empty and waiting for one of the modern Porsche vehicles to become outdated or unimpressive enough to fit the description.
