EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING

Winner, Over $100,000: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT

- 

“This is a robot assassin,” wrote editor-in-chief Daniel Pund while sitting in the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. “It’s a car that does all the car things well. The seating position is great. The steering is really good. It handles nicely and can carry stupid speed.” He’s the boss, and he’s wrong.

Assassins have evil intent, and yet there’s nothing sinister about this Turbo GT. Yes, it costs nearly a quarter-million dollars and ought to be good. But this good? This quick? This forgiving? It’s Mark Donohue reincarnated as a Porsche: brains, brawn, and indomitable will behind a benign smile. It’s so Captain Nice.

And yes, it has evolved beyond its Taycan Turbo S brother, which won this award last year. So, it deserves the win this year. Goodness reigns.

Visually, what distinguishes the Turbo GT from the Turbo S are a deep splitter under and aero blades bracketing the nose, a rear aero diaper, open-faced 21-inch wheels, and a ducktail spoiler that includes a Gurney flap. It’s available only as a four-door sedan. Porsche says there’s no plan for a version that inhabits the wagonlike Cross Turismo body.

With a curb weight of 5203 pounds, the Turbo GT is within 20 pounds of last year’s Turbo S, and at 114.2 inches, the Taycan’s wheelbase is 0.2 inch longer than a Cayenne SUV’s. The Taycan is slightly shorter than its internal-combustion equivalent, the Panamera sedan, and the rear seats feel less spacious. But it’s still big and roomy enough for four standard plutocrats.