The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT sets lap records at the Nürburgring and Laguna Seca in lightweight Weissach Package guise
Porsche has introduced its most powerful Taycan yet in style by setting lap records at some of the world’s most challenging racing circuits. The new car is available to order now, priced from £186,300, with deliveries starting this spring.
Driven by Porsche development driver Lars Kern, the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Pack set a Nürburgring lap record of 7:07.55 minutes, some 26 seconds faster than the Taycan Turbo S. The record now stands for series production electric cars, as well as for four-door production cars of any type.
Lars Kern was also at the wheel for the Laguna Seca effort, setting a lap time of 1:27.87 minutes to claim the road-going electric car lap record.
The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT produces 580kW from its electric motors, the equivalent of 778bhp, while Porsche claims power can top out at 815kW (1,093bhp) for two seconds when launch control is used. It’s enough for a 0-62mph sprint in 2.3 seconds, 0-124mph in 6.6 seconds and a 180mph top speed. With the Weissach Pack added, the 0-124mph sprint drops to 6.4 seconds and top speed is increased to 190mph.
Along with powertrain upgrades recently brought to the whole Taycan range, the Turbo GT gets a stronger two-speed gearbox and 105kWh battery for a claimed range of 345 miles. Turbo GT specification also adds a new Attack Mode, which allows up to 939bhp to be made for 10 seconds via a button or paddle press.
Other Turbo GT additions include lightweight 21-inch alloy wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, and extensive use of weight-saving carbon fibre, including the bucket seats plus interior and exterior trim pieces. Total weight savings amount to 75kg.
The Weissach Package is a no-cost option and reflects the specification of the record-setting car. Weight is further reduced by 70kg thanks largely to the removal of the car’s rear seats, with the void filled by a carbon fibre molding. Floor mats and some insulation are also removed, along with the Sport Chrono dashboard clock and rear hi-fi speakers.
Exterior changes are focused on aerodynamics, with the addition of a front diffuser, rear wing and revised underbody elements. The result is 220kg of downforce, Porsche claims – no doubt useful when chasing lap times on track.
