Mad Porsche Taycan Turbo GT gets up to 1,108hp
New 190mph, £186k EV was already a 'ring record breaker - now it's done the same at Laguna Seca. Tempted?
What you’re looking at here is the most powerful series production Porsche ever made. By some margin, too: silly SUVs and monster 911s are all hundreds of horsepower less potent than this Taycan. At its performance peak, the new Turbo GT produces 1,108hp. Or more than twice the output of a 911 Sport Classic. What a sentence.
Of course, there are caveats. That maximum is only available for two seconds, almost enough to get the Taycan to 62mph by Porsche’s method (2.3, or 2.2 for the Weissach Package car); otherwise, the overboost is a mere 1,033hp, or a paltry 789 when not matting it. Porsche claims 6.4 seconds 0-124mph for the lighter Weissach Turbo GT, or 6.6 seconds as standard, which feels like it should require some kind of special licence to access. Still, if Tesla can do it, so can everybody else. Thanks additionally to a peak torque output of 988lb ft, the Turbo GT is capable of 180mph - or 190mph for the Weissach. Which would make quite the sight on the autobahn. Even more of one on the M23. In more considered use, the range is up to 345 miles, though there’s no efficiency rating yet.
The incredible performance has been achieved by higher-rated pulse inverters for a new rear electric motor, now supplying a max current of 900 amperes against 600 for a Turbo S. Silicon carbide is used to improve efficiency. As for the driving experience, the most obvious change beyond your face falling off will be the new 10-second Attack Mode, which is like the push-to-pass in other Taycans but far more potent (163hp instead of 95hp) and deployable via paddles on the wheel as well as the button, because then it can be operated without taking hands off the wheel for full race car feel. Activation and deactivation is by the right-hand paddle, with the recuperation strategy adjusted by the left.
But this is a Turbo GT Porsche, so like the Cayenne that went before it, the new Taycan is about a lot more than just straight-line performance. To prove the point, Porsche has followed up its record-breaking Nordschleife antics with a new Laguna Seca benchmark: 1:27.87 is the fastest-ever lap by a road-legal EV. For reference, Wikipedia says a McLaren Senna has recorded a 1:27.62 in California, a 991 GT2 RS 1:28.30 and the Porsche 918 Spyder 1:29.89. The Taycan, in short, is extremely fast around a circuit.
To achieve such a remarkable feat, the Taycan has a GT-specific tune of the new Active Ride suspension, bespoke tyres, forged 21-inch wheels and 75kg less kerbweight than a Turbo S thanks to some carbon goodies, even lighter ceramic brakes and racier seats. (Those not quite so committed can have 18-way electric chairs for no extra cost.)
This being a track-optimised Porsche, however, ultimate performance only comes with a couple of extras. The Weissach Package doesn’t have a price yet, though it reduces weight by a further 70kg thanks to the removal of the rear seats (yes, seriously), the deletion of the Sport Chrono pack clock (not the clock!), special glass, fewer speakers, reduced insulation, dispensing with the floor mats (you read that right) and even reducing the charge port count to one, now only with a manually operated door. Crumbs. Still, lightweighting is lightweighting, whether it’s a Carrera T or Turbo GT. By our maths, 145kg less than a Turbo S makes for 2,150kg DIN. Still, no faulting the commitment - imagine taking your one friend out in a Taycan with no mats. Eat your heart out, Jaguar Project 8.
But it isn’t just momentous power and a bit less weight, as the Weissach builds on the Turbo GT’s chassis upgrades with aero improvements. It gets the fixed rear wing to show everyone it’s no ordinary Taycan (and contributes towards 220kg of downforce), as well as ‘air deflector elements on the underbody’ and a new front diffuser. Those that really must can have a striped wrap in Volt Blue, black or matt black, ‘further accentuating the car’s motorsport character’. Yikes.
Six colours will be available for the Turbo GT (though Paint To Sample will be there for those with even deeper pockets) including Pale Blue and Purple Sky Metallic - both only available for a year. A wealth of Turbo GT badges inside and out should ensure its special status is never in doubt, as will unique Volt Blue accents. Price? From £186,300, with first deliveries due later in the spring. Given what a Weissach Package has previously cost, it’ll surely bump the Turbo GT’s RRP to more than £200,000. Which is one heck of a number, but then that seems to be exactly what the ultimate Taycan specialises in. First drive/lift off/internal organ redistribution coming soon.
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Lovely colour and a big jump in laptime over the Plaid Tesla, but I wish these were atleast 10% narrower. It’s great to see the rate of progress being achieved with electric powertrains though
It would also be easier for road trips to get a full range in the tank again.
You'd also more liley get invited to nice places and let out of junctions.
In the Porsche you could easily assume that Barry, Neil and Marcus' willy waving contest in the financial office has come to a bitter end and Neville has trumped them with a car that has the abaility to get from London to Le Mans without an overnight stop...
This is not the future it is futile. Stop it.
That purple is gorgeous, glad to see purple is making a comeback, it seemed to disappear after the Marina TC went out of production.
Bring back purple!
When does it stop, 3000 bhp? I would be more interested if they could create an interesting driving feeling, even some fake noise or some character.
The only thing faster will be its depreciation!
Happy Porsche builds these for building materials salesmen so Porsche can continue to afford to subsidise to build naturally aspirated GT3s and GTSs, with rear wheel drive and manual gearboxes.
And 345 mile range
sure it will. I’d love a go in one but think I’d still prefer a snail paced GT3 for my track work.
As a side why do EV track videos always seem to have constant tyre squeal? Much more than other cars unless it’s the added silence makes it more pronounced.
Turns out I was right and its similar to a 911 GT3 but slower and more expensive so not actually that impressive
Not sure if I should feel annoyed at Porsche for a blatant marketing job or at the people stupid enough to think this means their bog standard salary sacrifice Taycan is anything close to resembling this car.
It’s over £200k and 1100bhp of course it goes fast!
It's just an electric car that won't be any different to drive on the road that the standard model, but can't travel as far with all the aero-addenda.
Plus they removed the back seats.
I mean, I'm glad they've stuck it to Tesla, but umm, yeah... erm.
Anyway.
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