The Porsche Taycan EV is getting a few enhancements as part of a raft of 'new model year' updates. Revamped infotainment, enhanced efficiency and a new virtual gearbox system are the headlines, while a track-focused Manthey Kit is also offered for the first time on an electric Porsche.
So Porsche is getting in on idea of fake gearshifts?
It calls its interpretation of the idea E-Shift, and it's introduced at the same time as the redeveloped Porsche Electric Sport Sound (PESS) system to give the Taycan the feel and sound of an internal-combustion-engined car going up and down through its gears, in a bid to increase driver engagement.
The system can be turned on or off via a blue button on the steering wheel, summoning up a virtual rev counter on the digital instruments in the process. There are eight simulated ratios, shown on a gear indicator in the dials, and there's even a shift light.
It's unclear if the car stops accelerating until the driver changes up - using paddles on the back of the GT-sports steering wheel - but Porsche tells us that the physical experience of changing gear is replicated in terms of jerks in the drivetrain, while there is also gear-specific drag torque acting like engine braking.
E-Shift is standard on the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and optional on all other models, though requires the Sport Chrono package and upgraded sound system to operate.
And the infotainment itself has been updated too?
Porsche's latest high-tech infotainment system, which debuted on the Macan Electric and Cayenne Electric, is now available in the Taycan as well.
At the heart of the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system is significantly faster processing power, claimed to lead to faster responses and smoother graphics.
The appearance and layout of the touchscreen seem to be the focus of the update, with a 3D-rendered model of the car at its centre. It's all referred to as Porsche Digital Interaction and there's more personalisation through the Themes app, extending to the ambient lighting.
An integrated App Centre allows downloading and upgrading of Porsche apps and those from third parties, while the voice control system has been enhanced with AI-supported Voice Pilot. Over-the-air updates are possible, and the wireless phone charger is more powerful than before, too.
You mentioned an improvement in efficiency...
It's only a slight improvement, but buyers of the entry-level, single-motor Taycan (in either body style) can specify 'Summer tyres range plus' for a new set of tyres that are said to have particularly low rolling resistance. The result is an increase of the range by up to 19 kilometres to 698km in the saloon version.
Any other mechanical changes?
Only if you go for the Manthey Kit, which is usually something offered only to buyers of Porsche's track-focused 911s. It includes chassis and powertrain revisions, along with a comprehensive - and wild-looking - package of aerodynamic changes, all designed to extract maximum performance and minimum lap times from the Taycan.
The bad news is that only buyers of the Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach Package upgrade can order the Manthey Kit. The worse news is that it's only available on left-hand-drive cars.
The other updates to the Porsche Taycan are available to order now.