Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is the coolest new EV | GRR
If someone told you 20 years ago that the upcoming Audi Allroad would find its most natural successor in an all-electric Porsche to be released in 2021, would you have believed them? Regardless of the answer to that, it’s happening. The Taycan Cross Turismo is the jacked-up wagon variant that Porsche refers to as a ‘Cross Utility Vehicle’ we’ve all secretly been looking forward to the most.
Previewed by the Mission E Cross Turismo Concept back in 2018, it provided a much more believable preview of what the Taycan would come to be and what we could expect from the eventual Cross Turismo variant. Now in the final stages of testing, the Cross Turismo features a raised ride height, slightly more tyre profile and of course, that sloping estate bodystyle. All of that – the looks, the practicality and potentially the added comfort and utility – could make the Cross Turismo the Taycan to tempt us to the silent side.
“With the Taycan Cross Turismo, we wanted to offer a little bit more space, a little more flexibility and versatility,” Stefan Weckbach, head of the Taycan model line, says from behind the wheel of the near production-ready prototype.
“We developed a completely new roofline, fitted with roof rails, a more generous second row and bigger trunk, all to make a car that is perfect for an active lifestyle. A car that is perfect for both an urban environment and the countryside.”
It shouldn’t be all show and no go, either. Like the original Allroad and indeed all the rough’n’ready wagons that followed from Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, the Cross Turismo should be able to hold its own when the going gets rural.
“We optimised our suspension system so the Cross Turismo comes with a CUV (cross utility vehicle) specific driving mode. This makes sure it does well on gravel roads in terms of stability, performance, and dynamics.”
We expect to see the Taycan Cross Turismo revealed in full sooner rather than later and we reckon it’ll be both the coolest EV and the coolest estate of 2021. Better yet, if the high-riding tougher style of the Cross Turismo isn’t a bit of you but the wagon part is, then there’s a Sport Turismo on the way too. We’ll take a 4S, please and thank you.