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Porsche is adding a new variant to its high-capacity Taycan electric sedan. As part of the electric Porsche’s mid-life refresh, there’s a new Taycan sitting at the top of the feature tree, aptly named the Taycan Turbo GT. It’s the toughest. The Taycan can be purchased, with a maximum output of 1,092 hp (815 kW), and German brands have even reduced the curb weight by about 157 lbs (72 kg).
The eagle-eyed Porsche spotter probably knew that a faster Taycan was on the way. In January, sporting the automaker’s camouflage and described as an “unnamed pre-production prototype,” the Taycan Turbo GT finished the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap in 7:05. 55, 20 seconds faster than Tesla’s most productive time with its Model S Plaid (and 26 seconds faster than the Taycan Turbo S, previously the fastest variant).
Now, stripped of its camouflage and proudly sporting the Turbo GT name, as well as sporting the Taycan’s new look, it has set a new record at Laguna Seca in California. With powerplant Lars Kern at the wheel, the Taycan Turbo GT finished the 3. 6km circuit in 1:27. 87, a record for a production electric vehicle at this track.
Power output is 777 hp (580 kW) in general operation, but when activated the release control increases to 1,019 hp (760 Nm), with a maximum output of 1,092 hp for a few seconds. And Porsche’s Formula E program has had some influence here. – While driving, you can activate “attack mode,” which increases force through additional bursts of 160 hp (120 kW) in 10 seconds. Porsche has implemented an attack mode so that it can be turned on or off using a paddle. on the idler to make it less difficult to use on the track.
Among the under-the-skin tweaks is a new rear drive unit, a common occurrence on refreshed Taycans. But for the Turbo GT, there’s a new silicon carbide pulse inverter capable of reaching up to 900V, instead of the 600V inverter of the Taycan Turbo S. The two-speed transmission has also been upgraded to cope with the Turbo GT’s peak torque: 988 lb-ft (1340 Nm).
You’ll want to specify the Turbo GT with the Weissach package, named after Porsche’s studios and development base near Stuttgart, Germany, if you want to save weight and increase power. It uses carbon fibre to upgrade heavier trim, thinner glass, and a lighter audio formula and ditches the self-closing rear boot as well as one of the two charging ports and even the rear speakers to save the aforementioned £157.
The Weissach package also reduces the 0-60 mph time from 2. 2 seconds to 2. 1 seconds and allows for a more responsive speed of 190 mph (306 km/h) with a 180 mph (290 km/h) cap.
“The Laguna Seca track pushes the Taycan Turbo GT to its limits. It’s the total that makes the difference,” Kern said. “The Turbo GT with the Weissach package sets new standards in almost every single parameter. These come with acceleration and braking, an intuitive-to-use “Attack Mode” and a powertrain designed to deliver maximum traction and performance. And the degrees of cornering grip are equally impressive. “The handling and lightness are incredible. The tires work wonders and you have the right balance in each and every driving situation. It’s incredibly fun to drive this car on the mountainous Laguna Seca track. “
However, none of this comes cheap. The 2025 Taycan Turbo GT will start at $230,000 when it hits showrooms this summer.
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