Porsche Taycan Turbo S beats Tesla for production EV Nürburgring record

The Taycan Turbo S has retaken the lap record from the Tesla Model S Plaid

Porsche Taycan S

Porsche has set a new lap record around the Nürburgring Nordschleife for a production electric car with its Taycan Turbo S. Porsche initially took this record back in 2019 just before the Taycan’s initial launch, but after being pipped by the latest Tesla Model S Plaid in 2020, Porsche has vindicated itself thanks to some choice upgrades. 

The new time of 7min 33sec, completed by Porsche development driver Lars Kern, is just over 2sec faster than the Plaid around the 20.8km circuit. The Tesla’s time actually broke a previous record set by Porsche with a pre-production Taycan that set a time of 7min 42sec, 9sec slower than the new record time. 

What’s changed? Aside from completing the record with the Taycan Turbo S, rather than the standard Turbo, Porsche has also fitted a new Performance Pack that’s available through Porsche’s accessories range. The only hardware changes are a set of specific Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, but there’s also a corresponding tune for the 48V active anti-roll system (or 4D Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control in Porsche speak) to make the most of the grippier rubber. 

Porsche lap record

Together, the new hardware gave the Taycan the edge to usurp the Tesla’s time, an impressive feat given the Porsche on overboost is 254bhp down on the Tesla’s 1004bhp power figure, not forgetting a majority of the lap would have been done with an even larger 388bhp disadvantage when not on overboost.

As with all Nürburgring lap record attempt vehicles, aside from a racing seat and safety cage, the car’s must be in a road-going specification. 

Despite Porsche’s elation, the lap record isn’t likely to stay with the Taycan for long, as more and more car manufacturers work on high performance EVs, not forgetting those four-figure electric hypercars that have finally started inching closer to production. How long until we see a fully-fledged electric sports car take the lap record? I don’t think we’ll have a long wait to find out.

Recommended

Why Rennsport Reunion is the world's best Porsche gathering
Rennsport Reunion 2023
Features

Why Rennsport Reunion is the world's best Porsche gathering

It’s the world’s greatest gathering of racing Porsches. We join the legions of fans – and the legendary drivers and engineers – at Laguna Seca for the…
3 Dec 2023
Kamm 912c 2023 review – the £274,000 four-cylinder Porsche 911
Kamm 912c
Reviews

Kamm 912c 2023 review – the £274,000 four-cylinder Porsche 911

The flat-four Porsche 912 was once seen as the 911’s poor relation. Budapest-based firm Kamm aims to unlock its ultimate potential
10 Oct 2023
New Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport: the race car that you can't race
Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport
News

New Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport: the race car that you can't race

Taking Porsche’s latest GT3 race car as a base, the Rennsport is a derestricted, fully uncorked track car destined for 77 customers
5 Oct 2023
New Porsche 911 S/T: lightweight special arrives with GT3 RS engine and manual gearbox
Porsche 911 S/T
News

New Porsche 911 S/T: lightweight special arrives with GT3 RS engine and manual gearbox

Limited to 1963 examples, the 911 S/T channels Porsche’s lightweight philosophy into a road-biased, 518bhp package
4 Aug 2023

Most Popular

Car pictures of the week: evo’s Car of the Year contenders
eCoty – the contenders
Features

Car pictures of the week: evo’s Car of the Year contenders

evo’s Car of the Year issue hits newsstands next week – here's a preview of what you can expect
2 Dec 2023
Best car tyres 2023: evo performance tyre test
Best car tyres 2023
Features

Best car tyres 2023: evo performance tyre test

Which tyre should you choose for your performance car? This year’s evo tyre test puts eight strong contenders through their paces to find the very bes…
1 Dec 2023
The Tesla Cybertruck has finally landed, but it’s more expensive than promised
Tesla Cybertruck
News

The Tesla Cybertruck has finally landed, but it’s more expensive than promised

After years of setbacks, Tesla has delivered the first production examples of its controversial Cybertruck pick-up
1 Dec 2023