The Porsche Taycan Turbo is a fast, all-wheel-drive electric sedan. It has no turbochargers. Porsche uses the Turbo badge to mark a higher-performance Taycan, sitting below the Turbo S and above the 4S.
In this article, we’ll explain the Porsche Taycan Turbo, from the 2020 launch car to the big 2025 update. We’ll cover the Turbo badge, the key specs, and what to check used.
Contents
Quick Summary
- What it is: a high-performance, dual-motor Taycan sedan with all-wheel drive.
- Turbo badge: it marks performance, not an actual turbocharger.
- Original car: up to 670 hp with Launch Control and 3.0 seconds to 60 mph.
- 2025 update: up to 871 hp with Launch Control and 2.5 seconds to 60 mph.
- Range: compare EPA figures for the exact model year, wheels, and battery before shopping.
- Used-car rule: get a battery, charging, and software check from a Porsche-trained specialist.
Why an EV Is Called Turbo
The name can sound strange at first. A turbocharger uses exhaust gas to force more air into a combustion engine. The Taycan has electric motors, not an engine or exhaust system, so it does not need one.
For Porsche, Turbo has become a performance badge. The Taycan Turbo has a motor at each axle and sits above the Taycan 4S. The Turbo S is the next step up. If you want the whole model story, start with our Porsche Taycan guide.
The Original Taycan Turbo
Porsche introduced the production Taycan in September 2019 for the 2020 model year. The Turbo and Turbo S were the first two versions at launch. Porsche quoted up to 670 hp with Launch Control and a 3.0-second run to 60 mph for the US Turbo.
Its basic layout was serious from day one. The car used an electric motor at each axle, all-wheel drive, and a two-speed transmission at the rear. That second gear helps the Taycan pull hard at higher speeds instead of feeling flat after the first hit.
The original Turbo has a 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus. That is the gross battery capacity Porsche listed at launch. Real driving range varies heavily with speed, weather, tires, and the car’s wheels. Check the EPA label for the exact car in front of you, not a forum screenshot from another model year.
The 2025 Taycan Turbo Update
Porsche gave the Taycan a major update for the 2025 model year. The Turbo jumped to up to 871 hp with Launch Control. Porsche also quoted 2.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, half a second quicker than the original Turbo.
The update brought a revised powertrain, a new pulse inverter, and faster charging capability under the right conditions. It also added more power to the recuperation system. Those are useful changes, but a charge stop still depends on battery temperature, charger output, and how full the pack is when you arrive.
The figures are a reminder that Taycan badges are not just trim names. A 2025 Turbo is a much harder-hitting car than the early Turbo. Do not compare a listing’s horsepower without checking the model year and whether it is quoting normal output or Launch Control output.
Turbo vs Turbo S
The Turbo S is faster and sits above the Turbo. Porsche quoted 2.3 seconds to 60 mph for the 2025 Turbo S, against 2.5 seconds for the Turbo. Both are brutally quick on a clean launch, but the Turbo is already well beyond what most drivers can use on public roads.
| Model | Maximum output | 0 to 60 mph | Place in the range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Taycan Turbo | 670 hp with Launch Control | 3.0 seconds | Above 4S, below Turbo S |
| 2025 Taycan Turbo | 871 hp with Launch Control | 2.5 seconds | Above 4S, below Turbo S |
| 2025 Taycan Turbo S | More than Turbo | 2.3 seconds | Above Turbo |
The right choice comes down to more than the numbers. The Turbo S brings the headline performance. The Turbo keeps the same basic mission with less cost and less need to explain why you need a 2.3-second sedan.
What It Feels Like
The Taycan Turbo feels low, planted, and much smaller than its dimensions suggest. The battery pack sits low in the chassis, so the car stays composed in fast direction changes. The steering is precise, and the rear two-speed gearbox gives the car a more distinct pull at speed than many EVs.
It is still a heavy electric sedan. Tight roads reveal that weight, especially when the battery is full. The payoff is everyday comfort, four doors, and a hatchback trunk. For more cargo space and a taller roof, look at the Taycan Cross Turismo.
Buying a Used Taycan Turbo
Start with the VIN and service history
Run the VIN, get the factory option list, and read the service invoices. The VIN confirms the actual model year and trim. It also helps separate a Turbo from a Turbo S, a 4S, or a Cross Turismo. Our Porsche VIN decoder guide shows where to start.
Check charging and battery behavior
Have a Porsche-trained EV technician scan the car before you buy. Ask them to check for stored faults, software campaigns, charging history, and battery-related messages. Test AC charging and, if possible, DC fast charging. The car should charge cleanly without warnings or repeated stops.
Look at the expensive basics
Check tires, brake condition, suspension operation, and the underside. Heavy EVs work tires hard, and performance tires are not cheap. Test every screen, camera, seat function, and driver-assistance feature. A clean inspection and full records beat a tempting price on a car with unknown charging history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Porsche Taycan Turbo actually turbocharged?
No. The Taycan Turbo is fully electric, so it has no combustion engine or turbochargers. Porsche uses Turbo as a performance badge for the faster all-wheel-drive Taycan models.
How fast is the Porsche Taycan Turbo?
The original US Taycan Turbo reached 60 mph in 3.0 seconds with Launch Control. Porsche gave the 2025 Taycan Turbo 871 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.5 seconds with Launch Control.
How much power does a Taycan Turbo have?
The original Taycan Turbo produced up to 670 hp with Launch Control. The updated 2025 Taycan Turbo produces up to 871 hp with Launch Control in US specification.
What is the difference between Taycan Turbo and Turbo S?
The Turbo S sits above the Turbo in the Taycan sedan range. The 2025 Turbo S has more power and a quoted 2.3-second 0 to 60 mph time. The Turbo is quoted at 871 hp and 2.5 seconds.
Is the Taycan Turbo a good used buy?
It can be, but treat battery health, charging behavior, software updates, tires, brakes, and service history as the main checks. Have a Porsche-trained EV specialist inspect the car before you buy.
Images: Silver Porsche Taycan Turbo by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0. White Porsche Taycan Turbo by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0. Black Porsche Taycan Turbo by Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
