An All-New, More Powerful Porsche Taycan is Now in the Philippines

There’s a thrilling car chase scene in the new Hollywood movie Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. That’s not out of the ordinary in and of itself as car chases are par for the course in many action films, but what makes this particular one extra special is the presence of an all-electric stunt car, the first-ever involved in a Hollywood chase scene. 

On the set of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera with the Porsche Taycan

Unveiling the Porsche Taycan Turbo

The car that has this distinct honor is none other than the Porsche Taycan Turbo. According to a news release from Porsche, the film’s writer and director Christian Gudegast had very exacting requirements for the car he needed for that scene, and that only the Taycan fit the bill.

“It had to be credible that the thieves could get in and out of the heavily secured diamond exchange without anyone noticing they were even there,” Gudegast said. “We needed a car that is super-fast, agile, and quiet, at the same time. That's only possible with an electric sports car.” 

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Gudegast was so adamant about using the Porsche Taycan that he wrote the car into the script even before he knew that Porsche would agree. Fortunately, the Stuttgart-based sports carmaker said yes and even worked with the production to make the sequence a reality. Porsche provided a total of five modified cars for filming, one of which was converted into a pod car. For this, all control devices—from the steering wheel, dashboard, and start button to the seat and accelerator pedal—were relocated to a capsule on the roof of the Taycan Turbo, where a stunt driver controlled it so the actors inside could focus on the action.

A modified Taycan used during filming of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Watch the trailer for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera here:

Last January 9, a day before the movie’s release in the U.S., Porsche fans in Manila got a taste of the Taycan when the new Turbo S was unveiled at the PGA Cars Studio in Greenhills, San Juan. Delivering 952 horsepower and 1,110 Nm of torque, the latest iteration of the fully electric sports car was introduced to local car journalists next to the other variants of the Taycan, including the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo and the base Taycan RWD.  

The new Taycan Turbo S can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in just 2.4 seconds—significantly faster than its predecessor. A new push-to-pass feature allows drivers to unleash full power for 10 seconds, delivering a thrilling boost in acceleration. 

By comparison, the All-Wheel-Drive Taycan 4 Cross Turismo is rated at 435 horsepower with 585Nm of torque and the Taycan RWD is rated at 435 horsepower with 420Nm of torque. Both variants have a top speed of 220 kph and can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds and 4.8 seconds respectively. The Turbo S variant has a top speed of 260 kph.

This powerful Turbo S is complemented by a sophisticated adaptive two-chamber air suspension system, providing a seamless balance between driving comfort and dynamic handling. The system adapts to varying road conditions, ensuring both an engaging driving experience and superior ride quality.

Key design updates in the Taycan Turbo S include a sharper front and rear styling with unique aerodynamic enhancements; flatter, edgier headlights featuring high-resolution HD matrix technology; and Porsche’s trademarked four-point light signature. The reimagined fenders emphasize the car’s muscular stance and width, while an interesting feature is its three-dimensional Porsche logo integrated into the rear light strip.

Inside, the Taycan Turbo S offers an upgraded Porsche Driver Experience, designed for enhanced connectivity and intuitive operation including a customizable instrument cluster with six distinct views, improved central and passenger displays with configurable widget and its integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support comes with broader functionality. The system also provides detailed information on battery charge levels, temperature, and charging status, ensuring a seamless interaction between driver and machine.

The efficiency advancements are a cornerstone of the new Taycan Turbo S.  The Performance Battery Plus now features a larger 105 kWh gross capacity, up from its previous rating of 93.4 kWh. The full battery charging takes just 18 minutes, a feat made possible by optimized charging technology. Energy recuperation capacity has increased to 400 kW, which is a 30 percent improvement over the previous model. These innovations translate to an extended driving range, with the Taycan Turbo S capable of covering up to 630 kilometers on a full charge, while the rear-wheel-drive Taycan model can reach up to 678 kilometers.

“We ushered in electromobility in the Philippines with the introduction of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S at the end of 2020,” said Roberto Coyiuto III, president and CEO of Porsche Philippines, highlighting the brand’s pioneering role in the local electric vehicle market. “The fully electric sports car immediately set the benchmark in performance and luxury that is yet to be matched in the electric vehicle segment. We are continuing this spearheading success story with the new Taycan Turbo S.”