Porsche Taycan has its crosshairs aimed directly at the Tesla Model S and it might have the power and range to back it up.

Three things premium electric car buyers will want is power, range, and ease of charging. According to Porsche in a rather lengthy and technical press release they dropped earlier today (July 30,2018) the Porsche Taycan will deliver 600 HP through all four wheels, have over 310 miles of range, hit 60 MPH in less than 3.5 seconds and have the charging ability to give Tesla a run for their money.

The Tesla Model S comes in both RWD and AWD with one or two motors and increasing battery sizes from 60 kWh to 100 kWh. Since Porsche is coming into this slugfest with a clear aim to knock out the Tesla Model S, it’s delivering its biggest punch, that means going after the king Tesla Model S P100D with its dual motors, 100 kWh battery pack, and 605 HP and 687 lb-ft.

First, Porsche is using permanently excited synchronous motors or PSM which takes technology directly from the 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Porsche 919 Hybrid. One motor is in the rear axle and the other powers the front. Total combined power is 600 HP with a sprint to 60 in 3.5 seconds and 124 MPH in under 12 seconds. Impressive stuff.

Key to these capabilities is the battery pack. While Tesla’s fast charging system and batteries can handle 400-volt fast charging situations for an 80 percent charge in half an hour, Porsche will effectively have batteries and a charging system that can do it twice as fast at 800 volts. Porsche engineers found ways to make their charging system more efficient thanks to different looming techniques for the wires inside the motors and batteries as well as a proprietary cooling system so batteries are always in their ideal temp range.

Finally, Porsche is partnering with other carmakers in Europe to increase charging points in cities and on freeways. By 2020,  400 charging points will pepper Europe for EVs.

From now until the first Porsche Taycan hits the showroom floors, testing has been fast and furious in locations all around the world with hundreds of Porsche Taycan prototypes.

You bet plenty of Tesla execs are reading Porsche’s press release and will answer in kind. The Tesla Model S is already six years old and the refresh is two years old.

A new Model S and Porsche Taycan battle is ripe for the harvest.

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