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Driving Dreams with the Porsche Taycan: An electrifying journey across Peninsular Malaysia

An all-female driving adventure across Malaysia

Malaysia. Porsche is the brand for those who are driven by dreams. Since Ferry Porsche’s pioneering spirit inspired the sports car of his dreams 75 years ago, Porsche continues to live faithfully according to this ethos. In 2019, Porsche went against the grain, bringing a bold new sports car dream to life in the form of the Taycan. The Taycan was a pioneer as the brand’s first all-electric sports car, yet unmistakably a Porsche.

As the pioneering spirit continues in Malaysia, an all-female group embarked on a long-distance journey across Malaysia in two Taycans. Race driver Leona Chin, fashion designer Celest Thoi, restauranteur Jen Tang, jewelry designer Yinn Ooi, and content creator Beng Lim undertook the 12-hour, emission-free expedition from Johor Bahru in the South of Malaysia to Penang in the North, in the flagship Taycan Turbo S and the adventure-ready Taycan Cross Turismo.

The group set off on their Taycan trip across the North-South Expressway, through seven states and parallel trunk roads, accompanied by picturesque greenery landscapes and iconic landmarks. The Taycan is well-equipped for long distance driving; and following software updates announced in 2022, electric range is boosted through the intelligent decoupling of the front electric motor, in combination with other energy-optimising upgrades.

An electrifying journey across peninsular Malaysia
After setting off from Johor, the group cruised along the long, straight roads of the initial stretch of the North-South Expressway. While experiencing the smooth ride of the Taycan, the group enjoyed their favourite road trip playlists through the Porsche Communication Management system, which seamlessly integrates Apple Music and Spotify.

The first stop of the trip took place at Shell Recharge Pagoh. Here, the group had their first experience of the Porsche-Shell High Performance Charging (HPC) network, with charging stations strategically located for smooth electric journeys along Malaysia’s North-South Expressway and beyond into Singapore and Thailand. This makes it the longest EV-ready highway route in all of Southeast Asia.

Thanks to the Taycan’s exceptionally fast charging capabilities, the ladies only had to take a quick breather. As the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts for electric cars, the Taycan features a charging time from 5 to 80 percent SoC (State of Charge) in just 22.5 minutes under ideal conditions. With just 10 minutes at a fast charger, more than 100km of range can easily be gained.

The road trip saw the group entering the Titiwangsa mountain range, also known as the “spine of peninsular Malaysia.” The Porsche Connect app and Apple CarPlay guided the group through navigated routes, as they got to know one another better and took inspiration from like-minded individuals with big dreams.

Sports car of tomorrow meets old-world charm in Melaka
While the Taycans had more than enough range to carry on with the journey, it was soon time for the group to recharge themselves. The former Straits Settlement of Melaka has proven to be an ideal stop, with its enchanting historical architecture and renowned Peranakan cuisine. The two Taycans navigated through traffic to Jonker Street via Ayer Keroh, as they were eventually rewarded for their willingness to brave the narrow Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock with elusive parking spaces in front of Casa Del Rio Melaka.

The Peranakan Mansion charmed the senses of our visiting group with its authentic décor, before satisfying their cravings for authentic Nyonya dishes. Other attractions like the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum, Chee Mansion and Malaqa House Museum were not to be missed, with the Taycan's futuristic design language in innovative contrast and yet complementing the old-world charm of Melaka. It was soon time to depart from the “Venice of the East,” for a quick stop at Shell Seremban and back on the North-South highway for the longest single stretch of the journey – past Kuala Lumpur all the way up to Perak in the North.

Cruising through the capital in comfort with the Taycan

With the terrain gradually changing around them, the group made their way through Negeri Sembilan to the bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur. In the Taycan Cross Turismo, the passengers took in the views of the Twin Towers and other skyscrapers through the panoramic roof, as they enjoyed the additional headroom with plenty of space for their belongings thanks to a maximum luggage compartment capacity of more than 1,200 litres. In no time, the city was behind them.

After passing by the renowned Ipoh signage by the highway, the cars made their final charging stop at Shell Simpang Pulai. Having enjoyed iced lattes to cool off in the warm weather, it was back into the saddle as the group journeyed northward through Perak. Towering limestone formations greeted them on winding stretches of road, allowing the two Taycans to show off their driving dynamics and sportiness.

The home stretch
The journey drew to an end as both the Taycans crossed the iconic Penang Bridge under the night sky, with the Andaman Sea shimmering under the lights of the bridge. It was a fitting end to the cross-country journey in the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Cross Turismo. Fond memories were created, and dreams were shared, as the first all-electric Porsche showed that it is more than just a capable road trip companion, but a sports car with soul, electrified.

About the Taycan Turbo S
The Taycan links Porsche’s heritage to the future. It carries forward the success story of a brand that has fascinated and thrilled people around the world over for 75 years and counting. The four-door sports saloon is a unique package, offering Porsche performance and timeless design with everyday usability. The flagship Turbo S variant of the Taycan can generate up to 560 kW (761 PS) overboost power in combination with Launch Control and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds.

The Taycan is the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts for electric cars. This is a particular advantage for Taycan drivers on the road: in just over five minutes, the battery can be recharged using direct current (DC) for a range of up to 100 kilometres (according to WLTP). The charging time for five to 80 percent SoC (state of charge) is 22.5 minutes for charging under ideal conditions.

About the Taycan Cross Turismo
As the all-rounder among electric sports cars, the Taycan Cross Turismo features all the strengths that characterise the Taycan, such as superior performance and range. Added to this are additional headroom for rear-seat passengers and a maximum luggage compartment capacity of more than 1,200 litres. The standard all-wheel-drive chassis, with its air suspension, features height adjustment and the off-road design elements include wheel arch covers, distinctive lower sections and side skirts. In combination with the Offroad Design package, special flaps are fitted at the corners of the front and rear bumpers and at the ends of the door sills of the Cross Turismo. These make for a striking exterior look while also providing protection.

Taycan sports sedan models
NEDC: Power consumption combined: 27.0 – 25.4 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km
Electric range: 370 – 512 km; Electric range city: 440 – 630 km

Taycan Cross Turismo models
NEDC: Power consumption combined: 28.1 – 26.2 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km
Electric range: 389 – 490 km; Electric range city: 463 – 616 km


About Sime Darby Auto Performance Sdn. Bhd.
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) is a subsidiary of the Motors Division of Sime Darby Berhad. SDAP is the authorised importer of Porsche in Malaysia since 2010, and distributes Porsche vehicles and parts, and provides After Sales services for Porsche vehicles in Malaysia through its Porsche Centres nationwide. Namely, Porsche Centre Ara Damansara; the largest Porsche Centre in a single facility within the Porsche Asia Pacific region, Porsche Centre Sungai Besi, Porsche Centre Penang, and Porsche Centre Johor Bahru.

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