2022 Porsche Taycan GTS: An EV For The Driving Enthusiast

There are dozens of electric vehicles on the market today, but only one has been specifically engineered from the beginning with the discerning driving enthusiast in mind. That vehicle is the 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS. The new trim level in the growing Porsche Taycan lineup slots above the Taycan 4S and below the Turbo model. The four-door shares platforms, a liquid-cooled lithium-ion 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus, and 800-volt architecture with its siblings – but the GTS boasts unique cosmetic enhancements and performance upgrades to make it visually unique and more dynamic on the road. 

Taycan GTS Boasts SportDesign Exterior

Porsche fits its SportDesign front fascia and SportDesign side skirts to the GTS model and complements them with high-glass black window trim. The rear diffuser continues the theme, with its own high-gloss black finish and the rear light strip features the Porsche logo in black. There are model-appropriate GTS logos on the side skirts and the new GTS badging on the rear is in a more discrete matte black. 

The standard wheels are 20-inch Taycan Turbo S Aero design (wrapped in performance tires), which are finished in a GTS-exclusive satin black, and the LED-Matrix-Design headlights with PDLS utilize a dark tinted surround. Lastly, the exterior mirror cap-bottoms are painted in body color, to contrast their black bases. 

Taycan GTS Interior Enhancements

Differentiating the Taycan GTS from its siblings is a unique interior featuring Race-Tex synthetic suede on the seat upholstery, steering wheel, and roof lining. The driver and front passenger enjoy 18-way seats, each embroidered with a “GTS” on the upper head restraint. Brightwork has been replaced by brushed black aluminum, which is found on the interior trim and door sill guards. 

To further differentiate the GTS model, Porsche offers an optional GTS Interior Package with accent stitching in Carmine Red or Chalk (grey) – found on the doors, armrests, dashboard, seats and steering wheel. The seatbelts are done in a matching color. The GTS Interior Package also replaces the brushed black aluminum trim with matte carbon fiber. 

Taycan Mechanical Upgrades 

The two-motor GTS has a maximum rated output of 590 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque, which is good for a 0-60 mph sprint in just over 3 seconds. The ¼ mile benchmark falls in about 11.5 seconds, and Porsche has electronically limited its top speed to 155 mph. 

The Taycan GTS shares suspension and performance equipment with the Taycan Turbo, but all of the systems have been unqiuely tuned and recalibrated for the GTS. Standard performance equipment includes Adaptive Air Suspension (with Smart Lift), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), and Sport Chrono with launch control start. The GT Multifunction Steering Wheel, with a Driving Mode Dial, is also standard fitment. Optional equipment on the GTS includes Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport), Rear-Axle Steering, and even larger 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels – unique to the GTS model – with a satin black finish.

Porsche fits the Taycan GTS with the same 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers as the Taycan 4S, but the rotors have been increased to 390 mm in the front – the rear are identical to those on the 4S. Low dust Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB) with white calipers, and lightweight Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) with yellow calipers, are on the options list. 

Taycan GTS Driving Impressions

The Porsche Taycan GTS’ driving enthusiast mission is apparent from the moment you drop into the supportive bucket seats and take hold of its thick-rimmed Race-Tex steering wheel – this is a driver-oriented cockpit. Like its siblings, the GTS offers RANGE, NORMAL, SPORT, and SPORT PLUS driving modes, which are selected on the wheel-mounted dial. 

While most will drive their Taycan in NORMAL mode (the default operating configuration), I found that RANGE mode (with the maximum speed set at 80 mph) is more than adequate for 90 percent of my driving as it maximizes energy efficiency and range (expect 225-250 miles per charge). In RANGE, the dampers are comfortable and the sedan glides effortlessly down the road. Unlike “ECO” modes in combustion vehicles, which retard power and throttle response to make a vehicle feel lethargic and slow, RANGE mode ensures that nearly all of the Taycan’s power is available – the driver just needs to mash the accelerator down. 

SPORT and SPORT PLUS driving modes are the most athletic. In these configurations, the sleek sedan is best able to showcase the technology that Porsche has engineered and adapted to the enthusiast-tuned model. 

Spin the dial and the Taycan GTS instantly comes to life with an enhanced Porsche Electric Sport Sound (think Star Wars) that matches the motor’s output, the ride firms up, and responsiveness is improved – the Taycan GTS transforms into one of the most capable vehicles that I have ever driven. 

While the all-electric GTS is no lightweight (curb weight is about 5,100 pounds sans occupants), the mass is concentrated very low in the chassis, so handling isn’t compromised. Add in PASM for impressive damper control, PDCC Sport to nearly eliminate body roll, rear-axle steering and PTV Plus for rapid directional changes and the Taycan GTS carves canyons with digital precision. 

The torque from the electric motors is instantaneous, so pulling out of corner is effortless, and the power is delivered seamlessly (there’s a solid kick in the backside when the rear motor shifts into its second gear). Most remarkable is the ability of Porsche Stability Management (PSM), which is operating 100 percent digitally, to manage vehicle dynamics in milliseconds. The Taycan GTS appears unable to put a wheel down improperly. It’s mind-blowing how well the all-electric Porsche can perform. 

Final Thoughts on the Taycan GTS

True to its brand, Porsche has followed its traditional GTS recipe with the new performance-oriented all-electric GTS. Rather than enhance its most powerful model, the German automaker found the “sweet spot” in the lineup – just above the 4S and below the Turbo – to serve as the ideal platform for its most driver-oriented variant. The cosmetic upgrades are spot-on, the passenger compartment is sporty and luxurious, and the sedan boasts all the proper performance tools.

While all electric vehicles still fall short of the physically visceral and audible feedback that driving enthusiasts crave, the combustion-free 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS crafts a desirable, and near-perfect, performance circle with acceleration, handling, braking, and cornering dynamics that are simply phenomenal – even the most discerning driving enthusiast will be impressed with this electric sedan.