WATCH: Porsche Taycan Turbo S laps Nürburgring in record time

MANILA: A series-production electric vehicle has never recorded a faster lap on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Lars Kern, a Porsche development driver, completed a lap in the Taycan Turbo S in only seven minutes and 33 seconds.

With the exception of the mandatory roll cage and racing seats, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S was a conventional production car that was fitted with the new performance kit and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). It was the same weight as the automobile in regular manufacture.

The new record time on the 20.8-kilometer track in the Eifel region of Germany was authenticated by a notary, and TÜV Rheinland verified that the record-breaking road car was a regular production model.

Twenty one-inch RS-Spyder-inspired wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa sports tires that are currently offered for the Taycan are part of the new Porsche performance kit. Their tire material is comparable to racing rubber.

A software upgrade to the Porsche 4D Chassis Control is another component of the performance kit that makes it compatible with the sports tires. All of the Taycan's chassis systems are analyzed and synchronized by the system in real time.

“In the past, only thoroughbred super sports cars got into the 7:33 (Nürburgring lap time) range,” Kern recalled. “With the new performance kit I was able to push even harder, and the car was even more precise and agile to boot.”

Porsche Tequipment is the company that sells the performance kit. For the time being, it is restricted to the 2023 model year Taycan Turbo S sports sedan and is exclusively offered in Germany. The first of these automobiles went into production in late July 2022, and the performance package should start to become available by the end of the year.

The modification will be completed in the Porsche workshops in Zuffenhausen after the first delivery. Even with the addition of the performance kit, the manufacturer’s warranty for the Taycan is unaffected.

The sports tires are primarily made for track driving. Thus, buyers have the option to return at any time to regular road tires. When performing the return, it is not essential to restore the original chassis software.

“We’re delighted that the Nürburgring record for electric cars is back in Porsche hands,” Vice President Model Line Taycan Kevin Giek said. “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 Taycan Turbo S's impressive power, which could reach 625ps, was a major contributing cause to its success. The maximum speed the car can reach from a stop is 761ps while Launch Control is engaged.

Watch the onboard footage of the Taycan Turbo's Nürburgring lap here. 

Photos from Porsche

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