A Porsche Taycan Just Demolished a Tesla Model S Lap Record at the Nürburgring

Porsche has reclaimed its position atop the Nürburgring with its Taycan, the automaker reported. The brand revealed that an under-development model of the Taycan, its only (and first) EV so far, set a new record for electric sedans by completing the grueling Nordschleife circuit at Nürburgring in 7:07.55 minutes. The time was over 15 seconds faster than the previous best set last summer by the Tesla Model S Plaid. For some time, Tesla and Porsche have been vying for the electric sedan lap record in Nürburgring. The automakers focus on this prize as the circuit, with its lengthy straights and bends, is especially demanding for EVs and their batteries.

The new record might stand for a good time. The pre-production Taycan clocked 7:07.55, beating the Model S's previous record of 7:25.23 by a whopping 17.68 seconds. The prototype, driven by development driver Lars Kern, also exceeded its own past record of 7:33.35, set in 2022 by a Taycan Turbo S variant, by nearly 26 seconds. The overall EV lap record at Nürburgring is almost within grasp, at 7:05.30 seconds, achieved by a high-powered battery hypercar, Rimac Nevera in August.

Porsche hasn’t yet unveiled the new Taycan variant or its specs, but rumors suggest it could bear the Turbo GT moniker and have a tri-motor system, as per Motor1.com, a departure from the current top-end Turbo S's dual-motor system.

Porsche will likely provide confirmation and a video of the record-breaking lap in March. Release and pricing details should also emerge then, prompting electric car enthusiasts to potentially delay their purchase until the new Taycan is officially launched.