ATL Motorsports, the arm of the ATL Automotive Group responsible for the Porsche line of vehicles, made the first step in the brand's move to electrification when it unveiled the all-new all-electric Taycan on Saturday, September 9, at the Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston.

"It's been a long time in the making as the team on the ground has worked hard for several years to be considered Taycan-ready," Uche McLean, head of business, Porsche Jamaica, told the Jamaica Observer's weekly Auto magazine.

As automakers make the move to electric vehicles (EVs), infrastructure to handle the different challenges the new method of mobility carries with it had to be addressed. For ATL Motorsports, it wasn't simply a matter of bringing the EV to the market.

"We worked with our regional office to ensure safety standards could be met, such as proper battery disposal, sufficient charging stations, plus meticulous sales and service training that has been constantly ongoing to this day in the background," explained McLean.

The four-door Taycan is available in four main trim levels — Base, 4S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S. There is also the Cross Turismo variant, which Porsche labels their first cross utility vehicle (CUV). This body style foregoes the standard design language of pronounced shoulders past the C-pillars and adds a shooting brake profile for the vehicle.

The sedan is aimed that those wanting a sporty drive, but needing the classic lines of a sedan, whereas the Cross Turismo is for the active lifestyle customer wanting more interior space, cargo capacity, and a higher ride height.

"The Porsche Taycan is an amazing car and it's nothing like what Jamaica has seen before. It has come at a good time. It has come when the charging infrastructure is improving. It has come when people's knowledge of EVs cars is also improving. So, in fact, I would look at it and say it's pretty perfect timing for the Taycan to be here in Jamaica," said McLean.

There are single and dual motor options, with the dual motors bringing all-wheel drive capabilities due to them being mounted fore and aft. Power numbers can rise to 761bhp for a 0-60mph time of 2.8 seconds.

There are two battery options, Performance and Performance Plus, with up to 84 kWh of useable energy. Those with the Performance Plus battery can enjoy an 800-volt system — a world first for a series production car, for even faster more reliable charging. The car is equipped with two charging ports, located on either side of the vehicle, a Type 1 AC port and a DC port for fast charging. Range is in excess of 350 kilometres with the aid of the intelligent recuperation system. Some 100 kilometres of range can be added in 30 minutes using any of the 50kWh charging stations available.

McLean doesn't believe he'll have a problem convincing Porsche customers to move to electric.

"I think it's going to be a natural transition because the E-hybrid Cayenne is our best-selling model and what the Taycan has to offer it will be a smooth transition to full electric for them, especially for customers looking for a bit more performance at a good price. The Porsche Taycan presents a really compelling option," said McLean.

Buyers not only get a home charger included with their purchase, but the peace of mind of a warranty of 5 years for the vehicle and 8 years for the battery. There is also a 5-year maintenance package.

"The Porsche Taycan is a sports car first. It's going to do something different from any other EV. It will offer a soulful experience, solid performance typical of Porsche, and also the electrification and technology that's available with this type of vehicle," said McLean.