Skip advert
Advertisement

Hennessey Performance Porsche Taycan on the horizon - plans announced for fettled EV

Texan tuner Hennessey Performance has unveiled plans to turn the new Porsche Taycan up to 11

We might only have just finished our first drive of the Taycan, but America’s most prolific car fettler is already thinking about turning it up a notch. The move will be an unusual one for the tuning world, with all-electric models being almost entirely unexplored, and development will begin early in 2020.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Standard models are yet to be launched, but the current range-topping Turbo S boasts a monumental 750bhp overboost figure for launches, and a constant 616bhp. This gives the Taycan a 2.6sec 0-62mph time, top speed of 160mph and a 0-100mph time of 6.3secs, not figures we’d say need improving, but each to their own. 

> New Porsche Taycan review - Stuttgart puts its stamp on the electric car era

Company founder and CEO, John Hennessey, said: “We’ve been planning to do something with electrified vehicles for a while now. We felt that the new Porsche Taycan was the right platform from which to modify our first EV. Initially, we will start with simple modifications such as wheels, tires and interior upgrades as well as exterior modifications such as more aggressive front and rear bumpers.  After that we will see what might be possible in terms of adding more power.”

There are no promises of more power, then, but given the over-the-air power increases we’ve seen Tesla give its models over the years, we wouldn’t rule it out. 2,295kg is the weight figure for the factory car, and although most of this will come from the untouchable electric powertrain, we’re almost certain there will be some room to offer weight saving options through interior modification and wheels. Gearing will probably restrict the top speed to its 160mph factory figure, though increases of a few mph may be possible if the software can be cracked. 

Porsche states that the Taycan Turbo S can be launched 10 consecutive times without battery degradation, but better cooling, something John Hennessey has shown interest in, might improve on this. Quarter mile times are also a focus for the brand, so an improvement on the factory 10.8sec time will likely be on the agenda - stickier tyres, less weight and better cooling would all contribute.  

The brand will get its hands on a Taycan in early 2020, where it’ll examine every nut and bolt to determine just what’s possible.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

‘I’m not convinced Mercedes-AMG can fill the V8 void in its EVs’
Mercedes-AMG GT
Opinion

‘I’m not convinced Mercedes-AMG can fill the V8 void in its EVs’

The next Mercedes-AMG not only won’t have a V8, it won’t have an engine at all. So where will the heart come from?
4 Jul 2025
The BMW M3 is going electric – test mules spied on the road
Electric BMW M3 – front
News

The BMW M3 is going electric – test mules spied on the road

The electric version of the next-generation BMW M3 has been spied testing again, revealing new details about the upcoming model
4 Jul 2025
New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch
Alpine A290 Rallye
News

New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch

The A290 has proven to be one of the best performance EVs yet, and now Alpine's taking it one step further with a rally variant
3 Jul 2025
The Volkswagen ID.GTI could be the hot hatch that changes everything
Volkswagen ID GTI Concept N24
News

The Volkswagen ID.GTI could be the hot hatch that changes everything

The ID.GTI Concept previews a future compact electric hot hatch, and we've taken a look at the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours
1 Jul 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport deal
News

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in Mk8.5 guise makes for a tempting prospect at the right price
3 Jul 2025
New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch
Alpine A290 Rallye
News

New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch

The A290 has proven to be one of the best performance EVs yet, and now Alpine's taking it one step further with a rally variant
3 Jul 2025
Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI
Cheap sports cars
Best cars

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI

With the sun shining and fuel prices palatable, now is the time to indulge your used sports car desires
1 Jul 2025