PORSCHE is plotting its electric future with a range of models that includes one of the finest EVs on the market at the moment.

The Taycan is one of only a handful of genuinely performance-oriented battery powered cars currently available and it is being joined in the German company's electric portfolio by plug-in hybrid versions of the Panamera and the Cayenne SUV.

However, they are not cheap with the Taycan priced from £88,279 and the E-Hybrid Panamera 4 and Cayenne costing from £84,610 and £69,980 respectively.

Add on some extras - and there are plenty to be had - and the Taycan 4S Cross we have just been sampling alongside a Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo and Cayenne E-Hybrid came in at £102,961 with the Cayenne at £88,336 and the Panamera tipping the scales at £112,899.

But for that you get cars that are typical of every aspect that has created the Porsche legend and even with their green credentials each is terrifically exhilarating in every aspect.

The Taycan can hit the 0 to 62mph sprint time in just 4.1 seconds, the Panamera takes a fraction longer at 4.4 seconds and the Cayenne - despite its bulk - can manage a very creditable five seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 157mph.

Top end for the Taycan is equally impressive for an EV at 149mph and the plug-in Panamera is in true supercar territory at 174mph.

Factor in official fuel returns of up to 134.5mpg for the Panamera and 91.1mpg for the Cayenne with emissions as low as 49 and 71g/km respectively and the attractions are plain to see.

And with its zero emission powertrain the Taycan trumps the lot with a city driving range of up to 323 miles and an overall rating of 277 miles on a full charge.

Fast charging enables it to be recharged up to 80 per cent of battery capacity in a shade over 22 minutes - and in this day and age that is a critical factor.

In real world conditions - as is the case with all PHEVs - those consumption figures are largely fanciful and while you can travel 22 miles purely on electricity in Cayenne and up to 35 miles in the Panamera we discovered everyday mpg is going to be more in the region of below 30 miles per gallon.

That's comparable to what can be expected from non-plug-in petrol models and the offset in company car tax from their reduced emission rating is a compelling feature.

Each has typical Porsche handling characteristics and that means they are set up to perform in no uncertain fashion.

Practicality is not quite as good as on the non-electrified versions of the Cayenne and Panamera because of the electrical powertrain but the Cayenne still offers 645 litres of space and the Panamera 405 litres - down from the non-hybrid versions but remaining with plenty of room.

Variable drive modes are features of all three electrified models and are set up to get the most from the power system. Each has an overboost function which creates extra oomph if needed while overtaking.

The Taycan is also fitted with a range mode to optimise its performance when selected.

The cockpits are typically Porsche which means they are comprehensive and functional with wide, multi-function instrument panels backed up by an equally wide central display system above a bank of switches.

On the models we sampled the Panamera came with a head-up display while the Taycan was fitted with Porsche's Sport Chrono timepiece which adds a launch control system to the available drive modes as well as a snazzy looking central timepiece.

Those are cost options and each of the three had more than £10,000 of extras fitted.

The Taycan and the plug-in models are the first wave of Porsche's electric future and will be joined by a fully electric version of the Macan before a Boxster and Cayman EV-only line up comes on stream in 2025.

Even the legendary 911 is to get the hybrid treatment but if what is on hand now is anything to go by the changes are unlikely to diminish the awe-inspiring features which have become the brand's incredible hallmark.