Porsche announced Taycan EV powertrain particulars

KUALA LUMPUR: Porsche just got generous and gave out few more details of its much-awaited Taycan. It has also been confirmed that the all-electric model will offer a maximum output of over 600 PS. The credit for this goes to the two permanently synchronous motors (PSM). The car will have an 800-volt battery that will give the car a range of over 500 km. The electric drive architecture at full tilt will take the Taycan from 0-100 kmph in 3.5 seconds, and the 200 kmph mark will be attained in less than 12 seconds.

Both the motors generate an enduring rotary motion that can be applied anytime without restarting. All thanks to the permanently magnetised rotor drafted into its rotating motion by the stator’s magnetic field. Porsche says, the PSMs converts electricity into motive potential with great efficiency, smoothness, and sustained output while generating relatively little heat. Heiko Mayer, drive unit project leader at Porsche says, enabling a compact design is one of the PSMs jobs, which makes it possible for Porsche to produce smaller motors and batteries.

“The electronic motor’s Solenoid coils feature hairpin technology design to save more space. The solenoid coils are made of wires that aren’t round but are rather rectangular”, said Nassar Abu Daqqa, director of electric drive systems at Porsche. Through this process, more of tightly packed wires and copper can be put into the coil machines, which in turn increases the motors’ output for the desired volume, claims the German automaker.

For efficiency, the power electronics of Taycan are also finely tuned. The inverter that converts the battery’s power from DC to AC does not work with a fixed pulse frequency, but rather with a step-less variable pulse.  This enables the motors to run at their optimal operating points, added Mayer.

In addition, the temperature sensor monitor requires cooling in real time which is provided by the software that directs water to the desired areas. For instance, when a driver goes for full ‘throttle’, the car’s cooling system also steps up to ensure constant power. “One of the benefits of using 800-volt technology is that the usage of thinner cables also saves weight”, Porsche added further. The automaker also added that the nature of lithium-ion batteries used in EVs pose a greater challenge for the battery to reach its full capacity for charging and discharging over a wide range of temperatures.

The German automaker said that the solution to this is to incorporate an intelligent charging protocol and an efficient heat exchanging system that enables batteries to operate in high temperatures and conversely cool under heavy loads. Porsche is talking about using the latest Li-ion battery technology with an energy density of roughly 270 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg).
While the range that Porsche is talking about is quite significant, the company says that it is focusing more on fast-charging, which is unarguably the most anticipated feature of the Taycan. It is possible that the car will be the first passenger electric vehicle to work at 800 volts.

Porsche says that they are currently “laying the groundwork for series production,’’ which they aim to start in late 2019. They previously discussed a production capacity of 20,000 units per year which is a lot for the luxury automaker.

A highly skilled staff of 40 built the Taycan and the total of “three figures worth of prototypes’’ have been built to date, the company said. The Taycan has already started stealing hearts. The debut is being eyed upon. Let’s wait for the big reveal, shall we?

Aren’t you tempted?