New track-focused Porsche Taycan to break cover next week
Porsche is set to unleash the Taycan's full capability with a new flagship variant – here's what we know so far
Porsche won’t admit it, of course, but there must have been a pang of disappointment in Stuttgart when the Tesla Model S Plaid lapped the Nürburgring faster than the Taycan Turbo S last year. In response to Tesla, Porsche is launching a harder, sharper version of the Taycan – tipped to be called the Turbo GT – which will be unveiled in full on 11 March.
We already spotted the Turbo GT testing in prototype form last year at the Nürburgring, where it posted an impressive 7:07.55 lap time – beating the Model S Plaid but falling 2.25sec short of the outright EV record holder, the Rimac Nevera. On top of the upgrades applied to the newly facelifted Taycan, the Turbo GT will gain a bespoke chassis setup and aero kit inspired by Porsche's pure-bred GT models.
> 1093bhp Porsche Taycan Turbo GT targets the Tesla Model S Plaid
At the front, the Turbo GT appears to utilise the same bumper design as the new Turbo and Turbo S, albeit with a front splitter and aero flicks to guide flow around the front wheels. The rear bumper gets a similar treatment with GT-specific aero extensions, and there's a large fixed rear wing mounted above a small ducktail – a first for a Taycan.
Aero is just one part of the story, though, and the Turbo GT will receive bespoke suspension components and tuning courtesy of the team that engineers Porsche's core GT models. The Taycan's optional Active Ride suspension technology could make an appearance here, using hydraulic motor pump units at both axles to precisely control suspension support at all four corners. It's a powerful tool that could bring the Taycan driving experience to the next level, particularly with a unique GT calibration.
Porsche's engineers are expected to stick with a dual electric motor setup for the new flagship, but whether it will offer more than the Turbo S's 939bhp peak output remains to be seen. With its overboost and launch control functions activated, the Turbo S can sprint from 0-62mph in just 2.4sec – we can't imagine wanting more performance than that...
We would, however, appreciate a slimmer kerbweight for the GT model. The new Taycan is up to 15kg lighter than before despite improved equipment levels, but the Turbo S still comes in at a hefty 2295kg. The latest Turbo S can achieve up to 391 miles from a charge thanks to an upgraded 97kWh Performance Battery Plus and a raft of efficiency improvements, but the Turbo GT will take a range hit thanks to its new aero addenda and sticky tyres. Still, a peak charging rate of 320kW should enable rapid top ups at compatible stations.
Inside, the Turbo GT will get the same revised infotainment system and Apple CarPlay+ integration as other new Taycans, but the driving environment will be more focused – expect GT-style carbon bucket seats and Alcantara surfaces to distinguish it from lesser models.
There's no word on how much the Taycan Turbo GT will cost, but given that it will represent the pinnacle of electric Porsches, it won't come cheap. The Turbo S already starts from £161,400, so we could be looking at a £200,000 Taycan with a few options...
