Unveiled towards the end of 2019, the new Porsche Taycan represents a serious departure for the Stuttgart-based manufacturer. For unlike its forebears it’s powered not by an internal combustion engine, but rather two electric motors and a huge lithium-ion battery pack. But this you probably know.

What you don’t is that this newcomer has some sizeable weight resting on its shoulders. You see, the Taycan is a big deal for Porsche for two reasons. First, it has to prove to the world that the company knows how to build and engineer an electric vehicle. It is, if you like, the ultimate litmus test.

Second, it needs to steal some of that limelight away from Tesla, a company that is now seen as the de facto leader and alpha innovator when it comes to electric cars. The Taycan must show that Porsche has the minerals to mix it up with Musk and his models, and in doing so make the brand relevant as we slide into this exciting new era of all-electric transportation. It’s a pretty big ask, isn’t it?..