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

​Volkswagen ID.3 review: a more subtle, more expensive Cupra Born
Volkswagen ID.3 – front
Reviews

​Volkswagen ID.3 review: a more subtle, more expensive Cupra Born

The ID.3 has been updated to address some of its key weak points, but better-value rivals have caught up
26 Mar 2024
2025 Audi e-tron GT to get 1000bhp RS model
2025 Audi e-tron GT
News

2025 Audi e-tron GT to get 1000bhp RS model

The all-electric Audi e-tron GT will benefit from the upgrades its Porsche Taycan relative has just received, including a 1000bhp RS model
22 Mar 2024
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N 2024 review – the most engaging EV yet
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Reviews

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N 2024 review – the most engaging EV yet

Hyundai has used every trick in the book – and written a few new ones – to make the Ioniq 5 N fun to drive. The results are truly impressive
20 Mar 2024
Kia EV9 2024 review – a Range Rover on a budget?
Kia EV9 – front
Reviews

Kia EV9 2024 review – a Range Rover on a budget?

Need an electric seven-seater with a 300+ mile range? Right now, the answer is Kia's EV9.
20 Mar 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024