Porsche Taycan Reclaims Nürburgring Lap Record
The Porsche Taycan has reclaimed the Nürburgring lap record for electric vehicles (EV). Driving the Taycan Turbo S, Porsche development driver Lars Kern lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 33 seconds, the fastest lap time thus far for a series-production electric car. 
The electric sports sedan was fitted with the new performance kit and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), and aside from the required roll cage and racing seats, is a stock standard production vehicle. It weighed the same as the series production car. A notary was on hand to verify the new record time on the 20.8 km circuit in Germany’s Eifel region, while TÜV Rheinland confirmed that the record-breaking road car was a standard production model. The previous lap record was held by a Tesla Model S Plaid which set a time of 7 minutes 35 seconds in 2021.
The Taycan’s performance kit includes 21″ RS-Spyder-design wheels with road-approved Pirelli P Zero Corsa sports tyres that are now available for the Taycan. The compound of this tyre model is similar to that of racing tyres. Another element of the performance kit is a software update to the Porsche 4D Chassis Control to optimise the car’s performance on this set of sports tyres. The system analyses and synchronises all the chassis systems of the Taycan in real time. “In the past, only thoroughbred super sports cars got into the 7:33 range,” said 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. However, it is currently only available in Germany, and only for the 2023 model year Taycan Turbo S sports sedan. The production of this car 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 will be included, as is the individual vehicle approval and registration of the Taycan. As such, the manufacturer’s warranty for the Taycan remains unaffected.
As for the sports tyres, they are primarily designed for driving on the track. However, buyers can switch back to the standard road tyres at any time. It is also not necessary to restore the original chassis software when this is done, which makes things simpler and more convenient for those times you want to enjoy some track driving.
“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.
