The Nürburgring is a legendary race track known for testing the limits of high-performance cars. Recently, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT made waves by reclaiming the title of the fastest electric vehicle (EV) on this iconic circuit.
In late 2023, Porsche announced that the Taycan Turbo GT, boosted by the Weissach package, completed the 20.832km Nordschleife track in just 7 minutes and 7.55 seconds. This impressive feat was briefly overshadowed by the Rimac Nevera, which lapped the track in 7 minutes and 5.30 seconds, and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, which clocked an even faster time of 7 minutes and 4.96 seconds. However, the real game-changer was the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, which set a jaw-dropping record of 6 minutes and 59.16 seconds.
But not for long. Thanks to enhancements from Manthey Racing, Porsche’s racing partner, the Taycan Turbo GT has retaken the crown with a blistering time of 6 minutes and 55.53 seconds. This upgrade includes lighter forged wheels, improved aerodynamic components, and increased downforce—pushing the downforce from 95kg to 310kg at 200 km/h.
The Manthey kit doesn’t just improve aerodynamics; it also boosts the electric powertrain. The Taycan Turbo GT saw a 20 kW power increase, lifting its total to 600 kW in standard mode. When using the Taycan’s Attack Mode, drivers can unleash an additional 130 kW, bringing the total to an exhilarating 730 kW.
To handle the extra speed, the Taycan now features larger front brakes, upgraded from 420mm to 440mm, along with high-performance brake pads. This upgrade slashed about 12 seconds off the Taycan Turbo GT’s previous best time.
However, it’s essential to note that while the Taycan is faster than any other production EV, it still lags behind the Porsche 911 GT3. The GT3, modified with a Manthey kit, achieved a staggering 6 minutes and 52.981 seconds. The 911 GT3 produces nearly half the power and one-third the torque of the Taycan, yet it remains the reigning champion around the Nürburgring.
This fierce competition highlights the rapid advancement of EV technology. As electric vehicles continue to evolve, we can expect even more thrilling lap times and innovations that could change the future of motorsport.
For a deeper dive into the evolution of EVs and their place in motorsport, check out this article from Forbes.
