Malaysia’s Proton has just unveiled its first-ever EV, the e.MAS 7, an SUV that wants to stand out but doesn’t quite stick the landing. Beneath its Porsche styling cues and ambitious marketing, the e.MAS 7 is, at its core, a rebadged Geely Galaxy E5. It’s a straightforward exercise in badge engineering that doesn’t break new ground but does manage to look modern.

More: Huawei’s Maextro S800 Looks Like Someone Put A Maybach, A Rolls And A Porsche In The Blender

Let’s start with the basics. The Proton e.MAS 7 is a compact SUV that stretches 4,615 mm long (that’s 181.7 inches if you’re too cool for the metric system) and boasts a wheelbase of 2,750 mm (108.3 inches). If you’ve seen the Geely Galaxy, congratulations, you’ve already seen the e.MAS 7. The only visible differences are a Proton badge slapped onto the hood and the glaring absence of the Geely’s illuminated grille. Proton’s big EV debut is essentially the automotive equivalent of putting a new logo on a Word doc template and calling it “custom design.”

Porsche Vibes, but Make It Discount

The e.MAS 7and Galaxy twins borrow some pretty obvious Porsche styling cues. The full-width LED taillights? Yep, straight off a Cayenne. The greenhouse and surface sculpting? Also Cayenne-ish. The paint? Oh, you mean “Quartz Rose,” which just happens to look suspiciously like Porsche Macan EV’s Provence debut color? Totally a coincidence, we’re sure.

Proton also offers four other shades, including Platinum Silver, Turquoise Green, Slate Grey, and Lithium White, with an Indigo Blue interior, in case you’re into low-budget luxury cosplay.

Of course, the Geely Galaxy E5 and Proton e.MAS 7 aren’t the only Chinese-derived EVs borrowing heavily from Porsche’s design playbook. The taillights on the BYD Han sedan and Song L crossover look blatantly inspired by the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne Coupe, just like Geely’s own Galaxy E8 sedan.

Powertrain and Batteries

Back to Proton, the e.MAS 7 shares its underpinnings and specifications with its Geely twin. It rides on Geely’s Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA) and packs a single front-mounted electric motor producing 215 hp and 320 Nm of torque. It’ll hit 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds, which is decent, making it the quickest Proton yet, but still firmly in “That’s fine, I guess” territory.

There are two options for the battery pack with a capacity of 49.52 kWh or 60.22 kWh, allowing WLTP ranges of 345 km (214 miles) or 410 km (255 miles) respectively. As reported by Paultan, Proton claims that the battery retains a health status of 90.5% after 921 complete cycles, which is the equivalent of 400,000 km (~250,000 miles)

Here’s where Proton is banking on the e.MAS 7 standing out—its price tag. The EV starts at RM109,800 ($24,400) and tops out at RM123,800 ($27,500). That’s significantly cheaper than its main rival, the BYD Atto 3, which starts at RM149,800 ($33,259), and is currently the best-selling EV in Malaysia.

For months, Volkswagen has been threatening to close factories in Germany as it hunts for ways to slash costs and sure up its finances. However, the company’s supervisory board is now pondering the possibility of keeping them open in news that’ll no doubt be welcomed by employees and local labor unions.

If VW closed plants in Germany, it would mark the first time in the company’s history that such drastic measures have been taken. The company is facing increased competition from new brands entering the European market, in particular Chinese automakers, and according to VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer, the situation “cannot be resolved through simply cost-cutting measures.” For the past three months, unions and VW have been at loggerheads about what measures are necessary to slash costs.

Read: VW Workers Strike At 9 Plants Over Proposed 10% Pay Cuts And Closures

According to German publication Manager Magazin, VW board members had been looking to end production at the firm’s Dresden plant, which currently employs 300 people. They have also investigated selling the Osnabrueck factory, which has a 2,300-strong workforce. However, unnamed sources now claim the board favors not closing these plants and has not yet lined up a potential buyer for the Osnabrueck site.

The future of the plants is not guaranteed at this stage as there’s still said to be disagreement among some board members. Reuters understands that the Piech and Porsche families favor more aggressive cost-cutting measures.

The Osnabrueck factory currently handles production of the Porsche Cayman, Boxster, and T-Roc Cabrio. While it has an annual capacity of up to 100,000 units, just 28,000 vehicles were manufactured there last year. Production of the T-Roc Cabriolet is also scheduled to end next year, and Porsche is shifting production of the Cayman and Boxster to its site in Zuffenhausen. VW’s Dresden site currently builds the ID.3.

At the start of December, almost 100,000 VW workers across Germany walked off their jobs to protest the extreme cost-cutting measures proposed. The IG Metall union has offered to forgo bonuses for 2025 and 2026 and has also proposed using money from wage increases to finance temporary reduced working hours during times of overcapacity. It says these measures could deliver €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in cost savings.

Porsche continues to dip their toes into the electric waters, literally and figuratively. Their latest collaboration is a little bit of both as the company teamed up with Frauscher to introduce a new boat that shares its powertrain with the electric Macan Turbo.

Dubbed the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom, the boat is essentially a lightly revised version of last year’s 850 Fantom Air. As Frauscher explained, the latest model has a “closed foredeck and cabin”

More: $593k Macan EV-Powered Porsche Boat Hits The Water

The boat will make its official debut in January at the Düsseldorf International Boat Show. However, the company is already accepting orders for a First Edition that will be limited to 25 units. They’ll have a Porsche-infused color palette that includes an Oakgreen Metallic Neo exterior as well as a Truffle Brown interior with orange contrast stitching.

We can also see a Porsche steering wheel, a car-like instrument cluster, and oodles of wood trim. They’re joined by automotive-inspired seats, sunbathing pads, and a rear swimming platform.

Buyers will also find a 12-inch infotainment system as well as a front passenger display. Other highlights include LED ambient lighting, rear underwater lights, and a “high-end audio system” with Bluetooth connectivity.

The 28.4 foot (8.67 meter) long boat has a 100 kWh battery pack that feeds a 536 hp (400 kW / 544 PS) electric motor. This enables the Fantom to hit speeds of approximately 56 mph (49 knots / 90 km/h).

At cruising speeds of 25 mph (22 knots / 41 km/h), the boat has a range of around 28 miles (45 km). That increases to around 62 miles (100 km) during “slow driving.” When it comes time to recharge, you can hit up a 270 kW DC fast charger on the way home from the lake or settle for an 11 kW AC charge from a dock.

While the Macan Turbo starts at €114,600 in Germany, the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom is far more expensive as pricing begins at €572,934. That’s over $600,000 at current exchange rates.

Two months after Porsche issued a widespread recall of 2020-2024 Taycan models across the United States for a battery defect, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the automaker and is seeking a jury trial in relation to the battery fault.

The lawsuit, filed by Gibbs Law Group, names plaintiff Miodrag Kukrika and alleges Porsche has failed to disclose or adequately repair a “dangerous and widespread” defect in the EV’s battery pack. The law group are seeking to represent a class of owners and lessees of impacted Taycan models and claims Porsche has known about the issue since at least February 2020 after a vehicle fire at a home in Florida.

Read: Porsche Taycan Recall Means You’re Stuck Charging To 80% Until 2025

“Porsche investigated the incident and since then, has learned about several other fires and about numerous owner complaints about the Battery Defect,” the class action states. 

In the recall notice issued in early October, Porsche said the high-voltage batteries of certain Taycans could short circuit, leading to fires. Owners have been asked to cap charging of their vehicles to 80% until early 2025, when an on-board diagnostic system will be installed to detect battery module anomalies. Vehicles shown to have battery faults will have their packs replaced.

This class action lawsuit says the automaker hasn’t addressed the “root cause of the defect” and should repair or replace all of the defective batteries. Kukrika alleges Porsche is guilty of fraudulent concealment and omission, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, and negligent misrepresentation/omission. He is seeking a jury trial and has requested injunctive relief alongside an award of punitive, compensatory, treble, and exemplary damages for all class members.

“The Battery Defect presents an unreasonable safety risk to drivers and passengers of the Class Vehicles and to people in residential homes and other structures where the vehicles are parked or near,” the lawsuit adds.

The class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on November 29.

In a major setback for Europe’s push to cut reliance on Chinese battery suppliers, Swedish battery maker Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US last month. The move is aimed at restructuring its debt and securing new funding. While the process is expected to be completed by early next year, the company has said it will be business as usual for the time being.

Behind the scenes, however, Handelsblatt is reporting that several automakers may have to delay future models due to problems at Northvolt. The upcoming all-electric Porsche 718 replacement is rumored to be one of the victims and it might miss its intended launch of late next year.

More: Porsche 718 Boxster EV Shows More Details As It Nears Production

When reached for comment, a spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the rumor. Instead, they told the publication they can’t comment on supplier issues.

While Porsche is staying tight-lipped, it appears the company is heavily dependent on Northvolt batteries and their high energy density. This is important for sports cars as they’ll enable weight savings through the use of smaller battery packs.

Interestingly, it appears the electric 718 is also facing other issues. In particular, an unknown “component in the drivetrain” is said to be causing problems and this, alone, could also result in a delay.

Porsche isn’t the only one that could be impacted as Audi also has a deal with Northvolt. Their batteries will be used to power models based on the PPE platform including the A6 e-tron.

However, Audi is also sourcing batteries from CATL and LG. This means the situation isn’t critical and the A6 e-tron wasn’t even slated to use Northvolt batteries until later. That’s fortunate as it means the company might be able to secure a new contract with another supplier, if needed.

A lot of the blame is being placed on Northvolt founder Peter Carlsson, who ‘stepped aside’ as CEO following the bankruptcy. Rumors suggest he brought the “worst parts of Tesla’s corporate culture” to his new job and this resulted in “unrealistic schedules” as well as “overambitious goals.” That led to problems and BMW pulling out of a multi-billion dollar contract.

It remains to be seen how everything will shake out, but European automakers are understandably nervous.

Headlights are one of the most crucial safety features on any vehicle, but when they’re too bright, they can pose just as much risk as being too dim. Newly delivered 2024 and 2025 Porsche Macan Electric models in the US now require repairs because their overly bright headlights exceed safety standards, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.

Modern headlights have come a long way, offering better performance than their predecessors, but sometimes progress overshoots the mark. Porsche discovered that the high beams on affected Macan Electric models were programmed to European Economic Commission (ECE) standards rather than the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) required in the US.

As a result, when the high beams are activated, they exceed the maximum brightness levels allowed stateside—a classic case of technology failing to dim its enthusiasm.

Read: Porsche To Sell ICE Macan In The US “For The Foreseeable Future”

A total of 2,941 Macan Electric SUVs, built between March 15 and November 4, 2024, are part of this recall. Porsche is concerned that the overly bright beams could dazzle oncoming drivers, reducing visibility and increasing crash risks. While the irony of “too much light” causing trouble isn’t lost on us, this is a safety oversight that Porsche aims to fix promptly.

To remedy the issue, Porsche will reprogram the headlight control unit software on all affected vehicles at no cost to owners. Letters will be sent out to notify customers, with the process beginning no later than January 24, 2025.

All Macan Electric models sold in the US come standard with a 100 kWh battery pack and an 800-volt electric architecture. The entry-level all-wheel drive Macan 4 delivers 402 hp and 479 lb-ft (648 Nm) while the Macan Turbo ups the ante with 630 hp and 833 lb-ft (1,128 Nm) of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.1 seconds. This makes it even quicker than a Porsche 911 GT3 off the line. In June, a rear-wheel drive version with 335 hp was added to the Macan Electric family, as was a new 4S with 509 hp.

Interestingly, Porsche also plans to continue selling the Macan in ICE form in the US for the foreseeable future. Porsche had always planned to sell the outgoing ICE version alongside the Macan Electric for at least a couple of years but if demand for the older model is strong enough, it could keep on kicking for longer.

Earlier this week, a Consumer Reports study showed that Tesla EVs were the least expensive cars to run over a 10-year period. But that doesn’t mean anyone buying one is in a for a decade of stress-free driving. Another study, this time published in Germany, has ranked the automaker’s Model 3 last for reliability for the second year running.

The TÜV test is a compulsory roadworthiness assessment – officially called the Hauptuntersuchung – that all cars being used on German roads must undergo every 24 months once they reach three years old. Inspectors check the condition and operation of everything from the chassis structure to the brakes, steering, suspension, lights and a huge list of other items.

Related: Ram Tops J.D. Power Quality Survey, But Dodge Drops From First To Last

It’s a tough test and one out of every five cars fails. Tesla’s Model 3 racked up more failures than any other car in the 2–3 and 4–5-year segments, primarily due to problems with its lights, brakes and suspension.

The TÜV notes that the last two are often a problem with EVs due to their weight compared with equivalent combustion-powered cars and the fact that much of the braking force is generated through energy recuperation, meaning the brakes don’t get enough of a workout to keep them in good order.

“The high mileage cannot disguise the poor performance of the Model 3,” said  Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association. “In addition to defects in the brakes and axles, the Tesla also has a particularly high number of lighting defects. This indicates deficiencies in service and maintenance.”

LOSERS: LEAST RELIABLE CARS

The study also showed that the highest-quality EVs are those made by adapting existing combustion cars. VW’s e-Golf and the Mini Cooper SE, for instance, recorded far fewer faults than bespoke EVs like the Renault Zoe and Tesla Model 3.

The Model 3 was ranked worst in the 2-3 and 4-5-year-old category, with Dacia’s Dokker taking the 6-7 and 8-9 age group raspberries, the same company’s Logan coming bottom in the the 10-11 section, and sister company Renault’s Twingo getting the wooden spoon for 12-13-year-old cars.

At the other end of the scale, there was good news for anyone looking to buy a used Porsche, or a new one that they plan to keep for a long time. The 911 Carrera was rated top in all of the five age categories between 4-13 years. But proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a quality, reliable car, the Honda Jazz took gold in the 2-3-year category.

WINNERS: MOST RELIABLE CARS

“The Times They Are A-Changin’,” sang Bob Dylan. But sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Porsche, like many automakers, is recalibrating its strategy in response to shifting political and consumer winds. Once steadfast in its commitment to an electric future, the sports carmaker is adjusting its course – at least temporarily. Central to this adjustment is the Macan, one of Porsche’s best-sellers, which could follow a different path than originally planned.

As we’ve learned, Porsche is now exploring how to integrate more combustion engines into its lineup, driven in part by sluggish Taycan sales and a surge in demand for hybrid and combustion models. This change comes on top of potential policy shifts in the US once the new Trump administration takes over next year.

More: Porsche Changes EV Plan, Will Give Electric Models ICE Powertrains Too

Although the details remain in flux, Porsche CFO Lutz Meschke confirmed during the company’s Q3 results that “We will refresh our combustion engine cars, including the Panamera and the Cayenne, and of course, we will continue to rely on plug-in hybrids.”

What About The Macan?

Earlier this year, Porsche officials had indicated that production of the combustion Macan would end by 2026, leaving the electric version as their sole luxury compact SUV. “The platform has reached the end of its cycle,” Porsche executive board member Albrecht Reimold said back in July.

The ICE Macan has already been pulled from European markets not due to lack of demand, but because its platform no longer meets the latest EU cybersecurity regulations. Bringing it into compliance would be prohibitively expensive for such an old platform. However, the combustion version remains available in key markets like North America, where regulatory standards are apparently less stringent.

The ICE Version Isn’t Done Yet

We reached out to Porsche USA to clarify whether these latest developments would affect the ICE Macan’s availability in North America and whether there are any plans to extend the model’s lifecycle.

“The current ICE Macan will continue to be offered in the U.S. in its current form for the foreseeable future, and will be sold alongside the new all-electric Macan,” a Porsche spokesperson told Carscoops. “The length of this parallel offering will also be determined by customer demand and regulatory requirements.”

Poll: Would You Buy The Porsche Macan EV Turbo Or The ICE Macan GTS?

While this doesn’t necessarily contradict Porsche’s earlier statement about halting production by 2026, the phrasing suggests that the ICE Macan could have a longer lifespan than previously expected if demand remains strong. How long that might be is anyone’s guess, but keep an eye on the sales split between the ICE and EV Macans.

A Third Facelift?

The reality, however, is that the ICE Macan is long in the tooth, made even more apparent by the presence of the mechanically unrelated EV model. In production since 2014, it has undergone two facelifts in 2019 and 2021, along with numerous smaller updates in between. Despite these efforts to keep it fresh and competitive, the SUV remains tethered to an aging platform, with some inherent limitations that you simply can’t fix, such as tighter cargo space and a more cramped passenger cabin compared to its rivals.

On the other hand, the Macan remains a standout in its segment, delivering some of the best driving dynamics you’ll find in an SUV. Add to that a high-quality, endlessly customizable interior—though its premium price tag makes sure you don’t forget it—and it’s easy to see why it’s still a favorite.

However, competitors are advancing rapidly with newer platforms, roomier designs, and far better tech features, placing mounting pressure on the Macan to keep up. If it were to go beyond 2026 in its current form, Porsche would no doubt have to work some serious facelift magic to keep it from feeling outdated.

Porsche’s Long-Term Plans

We also asked Porsche about the future of its broader portfolio following the recent comments from the CFO during the Q3 results.

More: Porsche Macan EV Gains RWD, 4S Variants, And Off-Road Design Package

“Generally speaking, Porsche customers will still be able to choose between efficient combustion engines, powerful plug-in hybrids, and all-electric models in the 2030s,” the spokesperson told us. “In recent years, the product strategy has aimed to offer all three powertrain variants across every available Porsche segment – sports cars, sports sedans, and SUVs. Our strategy is designed to allow more than 80 percent of our new cars to be fully electrified by 2030, depending on customer demand and the development of electromobility in different regions.”

So, for now, Porsche’s long-term plans remain largely intact. The brand still aims for over 80% of its new cars to be fully electrified by (or possibly after) 2030 – assuming that customer preferences and global trends align.

Porsche has unveiled two new Taycan models for the (facelifted) 2025 model year, bringing the total number of flavors on offer to an ice-cream-parlor-rivaling 13. The new Taycan 4 will serve as the entry-level model, and the updated Taycan GTS will be available in both sedan and “Sports Turismo” shooting-brake body styles.

2025 Taycan 4: Dual-motor, AWD powertrain as standard

Starting with the $103,300 Taycan 4, the new model brings the sensibilities of the entry-level car with a dual-motor all-wheel drive drivetrain. Such a model was previously available in the Cross Turismo line, but it has now been extended to those who prefer the sedan body shape.

Read: Korea Gets Its Own Special Version Of The Porsche Taycan Turbo

Porsche says that power output will vary depending on which battery is specced, but expect up to 402 hp using the over-boost function or 429 hp with launch control enabled. The Taycan 4 sports sedan comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix Design LED headlights, Porsche Traction Management (PTM), and Adaptive Air Suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) fitted as standard.

Meanwhile, that extra electric motor and driven axle may give you a bit more confidence in the corners, but it won’t make much of a difference to the on-paper performance. The Taycan 4 will do the 0-60 mph (0–96 km/h) sprint in 4.4 seconds, which is just 0.1 seconds faster than the rear-wheel drive model.

The New Taycan GTS: More Powerful And Faster Than Before

Meanwhile, if entry-level models aren’t your style, then you can go for the new Taycan GTS. You’ll have to part with $147,900, but you gain 100 hp more than the GTS’ preceding model. That’s a whole 690 hp when using launch control and overboost. Sport Chrono comes as standard, and as such, you get the video-game-like push-to-pass button, with 93 extra hp and a 10-second countdown timer.

The new GTS is 0.4 seconds faster to 60 mph (96 km/h) than the outgoing model, getting there in 3.1 seconds. Meanwhile, the GTS sport sedan can cover the quarter-mile in 11.1 seconds — 0.7 seconds quicker than before.

See Also: Porsche Taycan Sales Are A Disaster, But Cayenne Saves The Day

The Porsche Taycan GTS isn’t without its frivolities. For the 2025 model year, you get the “Electric Sport Sound profile,” which is supposed to sound more distinctive. In reality, it’s borrowed from the bigger brother, the Taycan Turbos S. Also new are Sport Design front and rear aprons, while the wheels are standard 20-inch Taycan Turbo S rims.

The interior features 18-way adjustable Adaptive Sports Seats Plus, a heated steering wheel, and an extended Race-Tex and leather interior. Rear axle steering comes as standard, as does adaptive air suspension and torque vectoring.

Availability and Pricing

Order books are now open for all new models of the Taycan range, with dealership availability set for late Q1 of 2025. The Taycan 4 sports sedan starts at an MSRP of $103,300, while the new Taycan GTS starts at an MSRP of $147,900 for the sedan and $149,800 for the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo. MSRP does not include tax, title, registration, dealer charges, or a $1,995 delivery, processing, and handling fee.

One-percenters now have several super-fast electric sedans from which to choose. Among them are the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Now, the pair go head to head in a U-drag race to determine which is the quickest in this unique testing protocol.

As a reminder, this sort of race is exactly what it sounds like. The cars compete in a traditional drag race before turning around at the big end and racing back to the start line. In essence, the event tests acceleration, braking, cornering, and how easy it is to put power back down after a curve.

More: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Vs BMW M4 Competition Isn’t Much Of A Competition

The contestants combine to make 2,326 horsepower (1,734 kW), so no doubt this is going to be a fast event. The Lucid has all of the numbers on its side. It makes 1,234 hp (920 kW) and 1,430 lb-ft (1936 Nm) of torque. The Porsche brings 1,092 hp (814 kW) and 988 lb-ft (1,338 Nm) to the table, but only when the driver is using the “Boost” button. In addition, the Porsche puts that power down with two motors while the Lucid uses three.

If things sound a little lop-sided on paper, the track only makes that truth more evident. From the moment the flag drops in race one, the Lucid rockets ahead and leaves the Porsche for dead. The pair actually end up entering the turn at similar moments but the Air Sapphire is just so much smoother on the exit that the Taycan never comes close to catching it.

In race two, the results are similar but the path there is different. This time, the Porsche leaps out in front and the Lucid spends the entire quarter-mile reeling it in. Then, in the bend, the Air Sapphire is, again, smoother. While the Porsche is struggling to exit the turn without a loss of traction, the Lucid is leaving the area.

Interestingly, the Taycan proved quicker from 0-60 mph (2.1 seconds) in the second race than the Lucid did (2.2 seconds) in either one. The Lucid is powerful enough to win at the end of the drag strip with a 9.2-second performance. The Air also cornered slightly harder at 1.34g vs the Porsche’s 1.33g. In the end, it was one full second faster throughout the whole test. That’s a seriously impressive feat considering how quick the Porsche is. 

Image Credit: Edmunds

America is a deeply divided country, but there’s one thing that unites all of us – hatred of car dealers. However, a new study suggests things are getting slightly better.

According to J.D. Power, overall customer satisfaction with purchasing a vehicle climbed from a score of 793 last year to 801 in 2024. That’s basically an 80% grade as scores are based on a 1,000 point scale.

More: Study Finds 25% Of Car Buyers Won’t Return To Dealership That Charged Above MSRP

So what’s behind the improvement? Pricing and inventory. The shortages and markups from the pandemic have largely subsided, meaning some of the power has shifted from dealers back to consumers.

Given these developments, it’s not surprising to learn the number of people paying over MSRP has dropped significantly. J.D. Power says 15% of mass market buyers paid over sticker last year, but that number dropped to 8% in 2024. For premium buyers, the number fell from 10% to 6%.

While everyone can get onboard with lower prices, dealers still have a lot of work to do in regards to personnel, paperwork, and delivery. It also appears the EV buying experience is significantly worse than that of an ICE-powered vehicle.

The buyer satisfaction score for mass market ICE-powered vehicles was 857, but just 822 for EVs. J.D. Power also noted a “similar pattern exists among buyers of premium vehicles.”

Part of this appears to be a lack of dealership employees knowledgeable about electric vehicles. However, even Tesla buyers had “markedly lower satisfaction with the effectiveness of the vehicle features explanation.”

Among premium brands, sales satisfaction was highest at Porsche. They were followed by Infiniti and Jaguar. Genesis got a dismal rating of 781, while Alfa Romeo was second to last with a significantly higher score of 810. That put them two points behind Mercedes and Lexus.

On the mainstream side of things, top honors went to Mini, Buick, and Subaru. Chrysler, Mitsubishi, and Toyota were the worst.

As a first attempt at a luxurious and performance-focused electric vehicle, the Taycan has been a huge success for the Porsche brand. Recently, the Sonderwunsch experts at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur used the EV as the base for a special, limited-run version that celebrates the firm’s 10th anniversary in Korea.

The special variant is known as the Taycan Turbo K-Edition and is based on the updated version of the sports sedan, which was heavily upgraded earlier this year. Customers can choose between five different exterior colors for the EV, consisting of Ruby Red Metallic from the Paint to Sample Plus program, Oak Green Metallic, Ipanema Blue Metallic, Macadamia Metallic, and Alex Grey.

Read: The 2025 Porsche Taycan Has Already Been Hit With A Recall In The US

Giving the car a custom look is a graphic on the rear wing designed to replicate a city skyline in Korea. It also rocks a custom logo based on the shape of a historical royal Korean stamp that includes the name ‘Taycan’ in Korean characters. This logo has been hand-painted on the charging port on the driver’s side while also being embossed into the headrests of the seats. Distinctive 21-inch Mission-E style wheels are standard, complete with rims finished in Turbonite, while the rims are bathed in Satin Black with matching center caps.

Porsche’s expert team of craftsmen has also worked its magic on the K-Edition’s interior. Vehicles finished in Ruby Red Metallic, Ipanema Blue Metallic, or Alex Grey have a cabin trimmed primarily in Basalt Black, while Macadamia Metallic and Oak Green Metallic cars have Truffle Brown leather. Making the seats stand out are multi-colored blocks and Atacama Beige seat belts.

The special touches continue with contrasting cross-stitching on the doors, center console, and instrument panel. A Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur logo has been embossed on the lid of the storage compartment and new black floor mats with decorative seams come standard.

“The concept of the Taycan Turbo K-Edition is to lend a visible expression to the close connection between Porsche DNA and Korean society and culture,” Porsche Korea chief executive Holger Gerrmann said. “At the same time, some exterior and interior details highlight, for example, the extensive and high-quality customizations that are possible through the Sonderwunsch programme.”

Just 40 examples of the special Porsche Taycan Turbo K-Edition are being produced.

Porsche is making some radical changes to its electrification strategy in response to slumping Taycan sales and a stubborn loyalty among customers to good old combustion-powered machines. For a brand that up until now seemed all-in on electric, the pivot speaks volumes about Porsche’s read on its buyers’ preferences—and their reluctance to abandon traditional powertrains.

The automaker, which has publicly come out against Europe’s proposed 2035 ban on combustion engines, is now investigating how it might re-engineer future cars that were designed as EVs to accept hybrid powerplants. But that’s going to take a herculean effort and ton of cash if it’s even possible.

More: Porsche Confirms New 911 Turbo Hybrid Coming Next Year

The next-generation 718 Boxster and Cayman sports cars are fully electric, fully signed off and will be launched in the coming months. It’s possible Porsche could reverse-engineer them to accept combustion engines, as Fiat has been forced to do with the 500e. However, even if they greenlighted the idea, it would be years before a retrofitted model hit the road, assuming it’s financially worthwhile at all.

Another vehicle that Porsche conceived as an EV, but which must be under consideration for a combustion rethink is the flagship K1 SUV due in 2028. The timeframe and likely dimensions of the three-row K1 suggest it has a better chance of being adapted to hybrid power.

Customer Demand Drives Strategy Shift

“A lot of customers in the premium and luxury segment are looking in the direction of combustion-engined cars, there’s a clear trend,” Porsche CFO Lutz Meschke said in a conference call before going on to explain how the brand is reacting to that news.

“We will refresh our combustion engine cars, including the Panamera and the Cayenne, and of course, we will continue to rely on plug-in hybrids” Meschke added.

Flexible Production for a Mixed Lineup

“As for our electrified lineup, we are very flexible when it comes to our production footprint. We can produce combustion engine, plug-in hybrids and electrified cars in one production line in Leipzig,” Meschke continued. “When it comes to research and development, you’ll see more flexibility in the upcoming years. We will develop new combustion-engined derivatives [of our EVs] in order to give the right answer to customer demand.”

Related: Porsche Taycan Sales Are A Disaster, But Cayenne Saves The Day

Porsche had at one time planned for 80 percent of its lineup to be EVs by the end of the decade. The remaining 20 percent would be accounted for by the 911, which has gained its first hybrid model, but was always going to stay away from fully-electric power until well into the 2030s. Porsche enjoyed early success with the Taycan and engineered an electric Macan and the upcoming 718 EVs, with visions of those models taking over from the older ICE equivalent after being offered in tandem during a handover period.

Sales Drop Challenges Porsche’s EV Push

But Taycan sales have tanked this year despite the introduction of a facelifted model, particularly in the once-lucrative Chinese market, while combustion 718 sales have rallied as buyers get them while they can. Porsche’s operating profit dropped 26.7 percent to €5.5 billion ($5.95 bn) in the first three quarters of 2024 versus Jan-Sep 2023.

Porsche only just rolled out the refreshed 2025 Taycan, and guess what? It’s already facing its first recall in the United States. The culprit? A glitch in the rear-view camera system. And while recalls are rarely welcome news for owners, this one is relatively minor, impacting fewer than 200 cars across the country.

According to the automaker, if the new Taycan detects an object in front of it, the visual park assist function will be automatically enabled. However, if this system is triggered and the reverse gear is engaged shortly after, the rear-view camera may not activate within the time required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, boosting the risk of a fender bender.

Read: US Porsche Taycans Were Sold With EU Headlight Software

A total of 183 Taycans, all built between March 27, 2024, and August 19, 2024, are affected by this snafu. According to Porsche, a software programming bug is the root of the problem. Yep, it’s always the software, isn’t it?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) filed the recall notice after the issue popped up during a function endurance test in August. So, they’re on it, and now Porsche has to play clean-up.

Porsche will notify owners of 2025 Taycans about the recall via mail by November 29, instructing them to take their vehicle to a dealer where the central computer will be programmed with an updated data set that ensures the rear-view camera functions as designed.

While this is the first recall for the 2025 Taycan, it’s not the only one to impact Porsche’s flagship EV. Earlier this month, Porsche announced it was recalling 27,720 examples of the 2020-2024MY Taycan due to the potential of the high-voltage battery pack developing a short circuit. These models have batteries sourced from LG Energy Solution, and while Porsche is developing an onboard diagnostics system to detect battery anomalies, it won’t be ready until the first quarter of 2025. Until then, affected Taycan owners are being told to limit charging to 80% capacity—a band-aid fix for a bigger problem.