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Exclusive New Entry-level Porsche Taycan With RWD Not Coming to Canada

by Guillaume Rivard
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Photo: Porsche

A new entry-level Porsche Taycan with rear-wheel drive, the same model that holds the Guinness World Record for the longest drift with an electric car, is now on sale in the U.S. and will arrive at dealerships this spring. But don’t expect to see it cross the border up north.

The Car Guide has received confirmation from Porsche Canada that this base Taycan will not be sold here. Only the AWD-equipped Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S will be part of the Canadian lineup as is the case right now.

Devoid of an electric motor up front and about 200 pounds lighter than the 4S model, the RWD-only Taycan offers a choice of two battery sizes: 79.2 kWh and 93.4 kWh. Their EPA-estimated range will be available before launch, but we know that output amounts to 402 hp and 469 hp, respectively. Regardless of battery configuration, the Taycan can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just over five seconds.

Photo: Porsche

Standard equipment includes 19-inch Aero wheels (20- and 21-inch wheels are optional), six-piston front and four-piston rear callipers finished in black, as well as Porsche Active Suspension Management (an adaptive air suspension can be ordered as an option).

Inside, the same features found on other Taycan models are all here: Porsche Connect with Apple CarPlay, Function on Demand, Plug and Charge, Apple Music, over-the-air updates and more.

Photo: Porsche

It’s hard to believe many Canadians would opt for this new Taycan with RWD given our challenging winter conditions. Oh sure, pricing would be significantly lower and might attract new customers, but the Taycan is already enjoying plenty of success.

A total of 844 units were sold across the country last year, more than triple the sales of the Panamera (268) and nearly matching the iconic 911 (914). In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Taycan even became Porsche’s best-selling non-SUV model with 397 units versus 176 for the 911.

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