The Porsche GT4 ePerformance shows off the firm’s vision for electric racing cars – and perhaps road-going equivalents
Porsche has taken another step towards its electrified future with the dynamic introduction of the GT4 ePerformance, a racing car concept intended to show off the performance potential of Porsche’s EVs in racing. The car appeared at Goodwood ahead of a world tour, acting as a test bed and showcase for Porsche’s electric technology.
Based on technology originally introduced on the Mission R concept, the GT4 ePerformance is based on the chassis of the Porsche 718 GT4 Clubsport and is powered by an electric motor that can produce up to 1,088hp in qualification mode, or 612hp in race trim, with the ability to be charged form five to 80% in around 15 minutes.
The car features some 6,000 redesigned parts over its 718 base, including flared arches, a large rear wing and the use of natural fibre composites in its construction. The car’s Michelin tyres are made of 53% recycled materials, a nod to the GT4 ePerformance’s eco-friendly credentials and a possible look towards the future of road-car rubber.
Porsche claims that its electric racer’s performance is on par with that of the current 992 GT3 Cup car – a claim backed up by its impressive result on Goodwood’s famous hillclimb.
“It’s extremely quick and loads of fun to drive – that’s exactly how I imagine the electrically-powered customer sport racing car of the future,” said Porsche works driver Richard Lietz following his run up the Goodwood hill. “Its aerodynamics are designed for efficiency because the car has to be able to last the full race distance. It’s more at home on circuits than at hill-climb events like here at Goodwood. So a time of 45.50 seconds and second place in the overall rankings is in line with our expectations.”
Porsche has enjoyed huge success with the all-electric Taycan and looks set to continue in earnest; the GT4 ePerformance hints at a future that includes production Porsche two-seaters, while it seems likely that the wider range of Porsche models will also gain all-electric versions in due time.
