Porsche is taking the power battle to Tesla with a new ultra-hot version of the Taycan.
It’s set to be called the Turbo GT, and our spies have papped it ahead of its launch, set for 2024.
The new Tesla Model S Plaid rival was spotted at the Nürburgring as it attempted to set a new lap record for electric production cars, with factory driver Lars Kern behind the wheel.
Rain hampered the attempt; our man on the ground recorded a time of 7min 5sec, some 20sec behind the Nürburgring lap record of the Rimac Nevera.
A facelifted Taycan is on the cards for 2024, and this Turbo GT model should be the range-topper.
Upgrades include a huge rear wing, new bumpers, a rear air intake and new headlights.
Porsche insiders remain tight lipped about the power figures, but we expect it to offer close to 1000bhp in order for it to keep up with the Model S Plaid.
Of course, Porsche is already ahead of Tesla in terms of lap records. Fitted with a performance package available only in Germany, a Taycan rounded the 12.9-mile circuit in 7min 33sec in 2022, beating the Model S Plaid by 2sec.
Available through Porsche Tequipment, the package included RS Spyder-design 21in wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and a significant update to the Taycan’s chassis-control system.
The next-generation Taycan should arrive in 2027. It will lead Porsche's electric future, alongside an electric Porsche Panamera and four other EVs.
Murray Scullion
Murray has been a journalist for more than a decade. During that time he’s written for magazines, newspapers and websites, but he now finds himself as Autocar’s digital editor.
He leads the output of the website and contributes to all other digital aspects, including the social media channels, podcasts and videos. During his time he has reviewed cars ranging from £50 - £500,000, including Austin Allegros and Ferrari 812 Superfasts. He has also interviewed F1 megastars, knows his PCPs from his HPs and has written, researched and experimented with behavioural surplus and driverless technology.
Murray graduated from the University of Derby with a BA in Journalism in 2014 and has previously written for Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics Magazine, buyacar.co.uk, parkers.co.uk and CAR Magazine, as well as carmagazine.co.uk.
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I would have thought as a daily driver the Tesla has a huge advantage as it is so much more spacious?
Well it is Autocar UK and we can't get a right hand drive Model S anymore. Not much point having 1000BHP+ or more space when you get hit hit by a truck as you carefully pull out to see down the road to overtake! (I drove a LHD air cooled 911 for a few years)
Model S rival, cannot remember the last time I saw a new Model S.
If there are going to be both an electric Panamera and a second generation Taycan, is one of them going to get smaller? Surely one of them can't get bigger - they are both 5 metres long give or take already, not much less than an S Class.