Porsche Smashes Track Record

Porsche’s New Lap Record

On the track, Porsche has once again proven that electric vehicles aren’t just about straight-line speed. At Road Atlanta, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT has broken its own lap record, previously set by the Taycan Turbo S in 2020. This year, the Turbo GT, driven by Porsche brand ambassador Patrick Long, clocked an impressive 1:27.15 minutes around the 2.54-mile circuit, beating the older record by 6.73 seconds. This feat was achieved even under challenging conditions, adding another accolade to the Turbo GT’s ever-growing list of achievements.

Powerful Package

The record-setting model wasn’t an ordinary Turbo GT. It came equipped with the Weissach Package. What’s surprising is that Porsche doesn’t charge extra for this performance-oriented pack; the Taycan Turbo GT remains at $231,100, whether with or without it. The package includes several aerodynamic enhancements, like a fixed carbon fiber rear wing and front aeroblades, helping the car shave off weight and improve performance. This reduction, alongside shedding 165 pounds from its regular weight, results in the Turbo GT weighing 4,925 pounds, primarily due to ditching the back seats.

Performance-wise, it’s a beast. The Turbo GT hits 60 mph in a mere 2.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190 mph. Pirelli Trofeo RS tires contribute significantly to its road grip. Long remarked that the Taycan was deceptively easy to handle and praised its brakes for their incredible performance. The Taycan’s Active Ride suspension ensured that pitch, roll, and squat were minimized remarkably, maintaining optimal tire contact with the track.

Weather Challenges

During the record-breaking attempt, the climate wasn’t entirely favorable. Morning showers had dampened sections of the track. However, as the day progressed, conditions improved, with temperatures hovering around 75 degrees. During the lap, the track was mostly dry, although a few damp spots lingered. The Turbo GT’s battery maintained a 97% charge, with the starting temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, while tire pressure was set to 37 psi, optimizing traction and stability.

Long shared insights on the setup: “By experimenting with the traction and stability controls, we found the Sport PSM setting to work seamlessly, showing control intervention on the dash without affecting the drive feel.” He added that Attack Mode delivered a smooth yet intense power burst, unlike anything he’d felt before, even in race cars.

The Taycan Turbo GT outperformed notable peers like the Panamera Turbo S and the 718 Cayman GT4, underscoring its prowess. Although the Turbo GT’s time was bested by gas-powered giants such as the Corvette ZR1 with its 1:22.80 minutes, among EVs, the Taycan Turbo GT remains a paramount performer.