While the rear-wheel-drive Porsche Taycan loses all-wheel-drive, power and equipment over its higher-spec 4S, Turbo and Turbo S siblings, it offers a notably more appealing price: US$79,900 (AU$104,000). Done and done: Porsche says it's already on sale in the United States. It will arrive soon, in early spring. But a few months ago, we learned that the Chinese would have access to a cheaper, rear-drive variant of the German EV, and we figured we Americans would eventually get a crack at it too. That's a considerable number considering that the next step up, the Taycan 4S, lists for $105,150 including delivery, while the top-shelf Taycan Turbo S starts at $186,350. Like all other Taycan models, it also qualifies for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.

In addition to a lighter price, this Taycan weighs in about 200 pounds less than its companions, thanks to losing the hardware for driving the front wheels.

The permanently excited synchronous motor (Porsche's words, not ours) is identical to that found in the 4S, and produces either 312bhp or 374bhp, depending on if the smaller or larger battery capacity has been chosen, with respective overboost figures of 402bhp and 469bhp. And it will have the same two-speed transaxle as the rest of the Taycan lineup. Regenerative braking via the brake pedal remains, as does its class-leading 265 kW recuperation rate.

The base Taycan has the same brake size and rotor thickness-six-piston in front, four in back-as the Taycan 4S, but cosmetically they're distinguished by a black calipers and alloy wheels on the base model versys red calipers and polished alloy/gloss-black wheels for the 4S. That means both can be charged from 5% to 80% charge in 22.5 minutes. Regardless of battery configuration, the Taycan can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds and has a top track speed of 143 miles per hour. With this setup, the nominal output is increased to 380 PS (375 hp or 280 kW) or 476 PS (469 hp or 350 kW) in overboost mode. They also share the same top speed of 143 miles per hour. With the standard battery, the Taycan covers the quarter mile in 13.7 seconds, while the larger pack shortens the sprint to 13.5 seconds.

Brake upgrades and 20- or 21-inch wheels are still options, as is adaptive air suspension. Additional optional equipment such as Porsche InnoDrive with Traffic Jam Assist, a 19.2 kW on-board charger, Head Up Display, 14-way seats with massage functionality, upgraded audio systems, and multiple exterior colors and interior trims are available to choose from- all in a Porsche typical sports vehicle drive train layout.