This premiere showcase, hosted at Genting Highlands by Sime Darby Auto Performance, was more than an unveiling – it was a testament to the near-limitless possibilities in automotive personalisation offered by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. With a breathtaking blend of engineering and artistry, the Celestial Jade embodies a car enthusiast’s dreams – from unique paintwork to meaningful symbolic motifs, this model promises exclusivity unlike anything else on the road.
The Celestial Jade’s hallmark feature, an exquisite ChromaFlair paint, is the result of meticulous handcrafting that spanned 80 hours. Featuring a colour gradient of Urban Bamboo – a bright green hue that dances with yellow and gold tones, and Shifting Carbon – a dark blend of black and blue, this finish dazzles as it morphs with each angle. Such fine detailing extends beyond its bodywork, with the gradient paint also gracing the model’s rear badge, key fob, and the iconic “Electric” logo, underscoring Porsche’s commitment to luxurious detail.
Inspired by the mythical “LongMa,” a legendary creature symbolising power and fortune, which combines the strength of a horse with the head of a dragon, the Celestial Jade bears a bespoke LongMa logo on its sill guards, door projectors, and headrests. This emblem is particularly poignant, as 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, aligning with Porsche’s symbolism: the Taycan’s name, derived from Turkish, means “young horse.”
As impressive as the Celestial Jade may be, Porsche’s approach to customisation goes well beyond one-off creations. The Sonderwunsch programme grants customers an opportunity to become co-creators of their own dream car. Each project is undertaken alongside a dedicated team from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, allowing clients to tailor everything from exterior finishes to the minutest interior details. Additionally, the “Leather to Sample” programme offers 150 distinct shades of leather, as well as the “Leather to Sample Plus” option, which allows a client to choose virtually any colour they desire. This dedication to the craft is a revival of Porsche’s iconic late-1970s Sonderwunsch programme, reimagined for today’s discerning luxury market.
The Taycan E-xperience Drive
The Celestial Jade was not the only star in Porsche Malaysia’s recent showcase. As part of the Taycan E-xperience Drive, we got to take to the roads from Kuala Lumpur to the heights of Genting Highlands, to feel first-hand the recent updates to the entire Taycan range. Now equipped with faster charging capabilities and a significantly extended range, the Taycan is more than capable of long-haul journeys.
We got to test out the Porsche Taycan in an electrifying Frozen Blue metallic coat, which made the sportscar stand out even further. Despite its size, the Taycan was an agile and nimble vehicle that did exceptionally well along the winds and curves going up Genting Highlands. Power was of course not an issue, and we could easily overtake others when necessary, and speed up exactly when we wanted it. Overall, it was truly amazing, from handling to the speed, it makes for an excellent daily driver, especially for those who love power when they need it.
Of course, these are all also thanks to the newly added standard features like air suspension, ambient lighting, and Porsche Intelligent Range Manager, the drive showcased the Taycan’s prowess on highways, winding hill climbs, and scenic B-roads. Notably, the Taycan’s recuperation abilities shone on Genting’s steep descent, restoring up to three per cent of battery charge – thanks to improvements in its recuperation system. At high-power charging stations, drivers can now recharge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, thus adding a new level of convenience for longer journeys.
On this drive, the Taycan’s technical prowess and comfort upgrades were immediately apparent. From the 700 kW Taycan Turbo S, capable of a jaw-dropping sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.2 seconds, to the more leisurely, scenic Taycan Cross Turismo, every variant demonstrated Porsche’s engineering mastery. Enhanced battery thermal management, faster charging times, and a redesigned high-voltage battery reflect Porsche’s commitment to sustainable performance without compromise.
With a premium Bose Surround Sound System, 14-way memory seats, and 20-inch wheels, each Taycan variant promises an interior as refined as its high-powered performance. Externally, new design updates include reshaped front intakes and a sophisticated three-dimensional Porsche logo on the rear light strip, enhancing its road presence while embodying Porsche’s pure, dynamic style.
As Porsche expands its charging network across Malaysia, the future of long-distance EV travel looks bright. Porsche, in collaboration with Shell, plans to install ultra-fast charging stations along key routes, further establishing a sustainable travel infrastructure. The Taycan E-xperience Drive reaffirmed Porsche’s commitment to convenient EV journeys, where high-performance engineering meets the simplicity of accessible charging.
The Taycan Turbo S Celestial Jade and the enhanced Taycan range represent Porsche’s ultimate pairing of performance with unprecedented personalisation and are a sign of only greater things to come from the German carmaker.
Images: Porsche Malaysia
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