Porsche has reclaimed the title for a production electric car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife, after development driver Lars Kern set a time of seven minutes and 33 seconds in the Taycan Turbo S.
Aside from the required roll cage and racing seats, this was an entirely standard productions vehicle, equipped with the new performance kit and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). The performance kit includes 21-inch RS-Spyder-design wheels with road-approved, Pirelli P Zero Corsa sports tyres. A software update to the Porsche 4D Chassis Control allows the car to work in harmony with the sports compound tyres.
“In the past, only thoroughbred super sports cars got into the 7:33 range,” says Kern. “With the new performance kit I was able to push even harder, and the car was even more precise and agile to boot.”
The performance kit is offered through Porsche Tequipment. It is currently only available in Germany and only for the 2023 model year Taycan Turbo S sports sedan. Production of these cars started in late July 2022, while the performance kit itself is expected to be available from the end of the year. The plan is for the retrofit to be carried out after initial delivery, in the Porsche workshops in Zuffenhausen. Transport to and from the factory is included, as is the individual vehicle approval and registration of the Taycan. The performance kit is priced at €13,377.32 including 19 per cent VAT. The manufacturer’s warranty for the Taycan is unaffected.
The sports tyres are primarily designed for driving on the track. Buyers can therefore switch back to standard road tyres at any time. It is not necessary to restore the original chassis software when doing this.
“We’re delighted that the Nürburgring record for electric cars is back in Porsche hands,” says Kevin Giek, Vice President Model Line Taycan. “This lap time not only shows how much potential lies in our new performance kit, but also confirms once again the sports car genes of the Taycan.” The considerable power of the Turbo S, of up to 460 kW (625 PS), was a key factor in its success. With Launch Control active, the car maxes out at 560 kW (761 PS) from a standstill.