300 KW PLATEAU CHARGING CURVE COMPENSATES FOR CONGESTION
In Bulgaria we return to EU territory . Having paid the toll online in advance we can enjoy the speed limit of 140 km / h . Since the highways are equally deserted here , we make very good progress and plan our first charging stop for the day in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia , 400 km from Belgrade , using the Bulgarian FINES app . We have already registered on the app in advance , and at a car dealership on the ring road to Sofia ’ s south , there is a 300 kW charger . A very long traffic jam in the city means it takes more than six hours to get there but the Taycan and charger compensate for this with a stable 300 kW charging ‘ curve ’. After just 16 minutes , the 800-volt battery is two-thirds full again , which is more than enough energy for the next 275 km to the Bulgarian border .
As if out of nowhere , the highway is suddenly jammed with traffic – not because of an accident or breakdown , but simply lots of
weekend day-trippers on their way to the Black Sea coast on this Friday afternoon . No wonder at 36 degrees . Unfortunately , the beach isn ’ t an option for us . Instead , our next stop is at a fast charger with two connectors , next to a hotel . One is 120 kW and one is 180 kW . Here we charge to almost 90 per cent while stretching our legs and filling up on water and coffee . The last section to Istanbul is again 275 km in length and this time the motorways are empty . We make good progress and reach our final destination : after a total of almost 2,200 km and a good 25 hours , we ’ re in Istanbul .
ISTANBUL – BELGRADE – SOP - LJUBLJANA – ZUFFENHAUSEN
The next morning , at the city ’ s modern Galata Port , we join a Taycan Meet and Greet that we ’ ve organised together with Porsche Turkey . Some 25 cars turn up , and we ’ re there with our four new Taycans , a Taycan Turbo GT and a new electric Macan . The mood is good , the music loud . Many passersby take the opportunity to look at the latest models and take a selfie . There are around 2,000 Taycan sports cars on the road in Turkey , such is its popularity here .
On Monday morning we begin our journey home – back to Stuttgart via Belgrade . The first stage is 250 km long and as we don ’ t have enough ‘ in the tank ’ to drive all the way to Sofia , we make a sixminute ‘ splash and dash ’ stop on the highway at a 150 kW charger .
THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 65 2024