The Porsche Taycan had not yet been launched when it already set a record to its name. In 2019, for example, Porsche sputtered it over the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 42 seconds, which at the time was good for the title of ‘fastest production EV in the world’. Of course, that other producer of fast EVs — Tesla — couldn’t laugh at that, and in 2021 it took another 6 seconds off that time with the Model S Plaid. Porsche then treated its Taycan Turbo S to a ‘Tequipment Performance’ kit that suddenly made it race over the ‘Ring in 7 minutes 33 seconds, and that seemed to be the end of it… Or not?
When two dogs fight over one bone…
A few weeks ago, Tesla unveiled a ‘Track Pack’ for the Model S Plaid, and that includes a number of upgrades that should be decisive on – indeed – the track. Count, for example, on lighter rims and carbon-ceramic brakes, which allowed Tesla to finally push the top speed confidently to the full 322 km / h. With that package in its pocket, the Model S Plaid also clocked up a new lap time of 7 minutes, 25 seconds and 231 thousandths, making it the fastest EV around the Nürburgring again. And it could be a coincidence, but we like to attribute part of that gain to the fact that the used Model S Plaid just had a round steering wheel this time…
With a lead of almost 8 seconds, Porsche really has its hands full to do even better. However, there is a good chance that their efforts will be in vain anyway, because there are still hijackers on the coast for that electric Nürburgring record. For example, the title of ‘fastest accelerating EV’ is now in the name of the Pininfarina Battista, while platform mate Rimac Nevera is the EV with the highest top speed in the world. As soon as they enter the Nürburgring, both Porsche and Tesla can forget about it… And coincidence would have it that in recent days there have been a striking number of reports of a Rimac Nevera on the ‘Ring.
