Porsche unveils its most powerful car yet (and it’s an EV)
German marque debuts its most bonkers EV yet, capable of hitting 100kph in just 2.2 seconds, reports Matthew Hansen.
It seems like just yesterday that the first images of Porsche’s Mission E Taycan concept – the brand’s first steps towards electric vehicles – emerged online. Now, the successful model has been given its first refresh, underlined by the introduction of the most powerful car the brand has produced.
And, it’s coming to New Zealand.
The Taycan Turbo GT is one of Porsche’s quickest models yet – a fact that Porsche was evidently eager to underscore, confirming that the model now holds the electric vehicle lap record at California’s Laguna Seca (the same circuit where Porsche hosts its annual Rennsport event).
Porsche has managed to squeeze 580kW/1340Nm from its dual-motor Taycan electric powertrain, with the model capable of adding an extra 10-second 180kW boost at the push of a button, via its ‘Attack Mode’ function on the steering wheel.
And still, the numbers somehow get bigger. Porsche also claims that when the GT’s launch control is enabled, it gets a two-second power boost of 235kW – enabling a brief total output of 815kW. This, the brand says, is good for a ludicrous 0-100kph time of either 2.3 seconds in standard trim or 2.2 seconds for those who opt for the Weissach package.
The track-focused Taycan GT Weissach Package has a bevy of aerodynamic addons, namely the fixed rear spoiler and front splitter (good for an added 220kg worth of downforce, says Porsche). It also trims out some of the model’s creature comforts, for a weight gain (or, rather, weight delete) of 70kg relative to the standard GT.
Weight-saving measures include carbon fibre trim inside and the removal of a charging port, the premium sound system, the floor mats, and some under-body insulation. The model even sheds one of its charging ports and the signature Sport Chrono clock from the dashboard,
Local pricing for the Taycan GT will start at $459,900, with models set to begin appearing in showrooms in Q3 of this year.
The new flagship comes months after Porsche facelifted the standard Taycan, with the brand adding more range and performance to the pure-electric platform. On the range side, Porsche upped the Taycan’s battery capacity from 93kWh to 105kWh, enabling an improved range of up to 678km to a charge.
It might look a lot like the old Taycan, but the facelifted mainline models do sport some visual changes. New headlights and tail-lights, an illuminated Porsche logo in the rear lightbar and new front fenders all feature.
The Taycan Turbo S cannot be forgotten about, sitting underneath the GT in the range with its (still ballistic)
700kW of power on tap when launch control is enabled, and a 0-100kph time of 2.3 seconds.
Porsche’s facelifted
Taycan is set to land in
New Zealand showrooms in Q4 of this year, with pricing kicking off at
$215,000.
New headlights and tail-lights, an illuminated Porsche logo in the rear lightbar and new front fenders all feature.