Porsche has announced two new performance-focused variants of its Taycan EV, the Taycan Turbo GT and the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package.
Together, the new models mark the first EVs developed by Porsche’s GT division, while the EV with the Weissach package represents its most powerful series-production model to date. At peak performance, both models offer a maximum power rating that exceeds 1000 hp (745 kW) – enabled by enhanced driving dynamics as well as various lightweight construction and aerodynamics measures. Supporting this performance is a more powerful, more efficient, pulse inverter – which uses silicon carbide as the semiconductor material – featured on the rear axle.
At the core of the new variant’s performance-oriented feature set is a new Attack Mode which, when activated, allows the driver to gain an additional 160 hp (120 kW) of power in 10-second bursts. Offering an enhanced version of the ‘push-to-pass’ function featured in other models across the Taycan range, Attack Mode offers 67 hp (50 kW) more power by comparison and can be activated in a number of ways. Here, it can be operated by pressing a ‘mode’ switch mounted near the side of the steering wheel boss or activated and deactivated using the right-hand paddle for better ease-of-use when driving on the track. The left steering wheel paddle can also be used to set and adjust the recuperation according to the driving situation. When activated, the performance boost provided by Attack Mode is indicated by a countdown timer shown in the instrument cluster, which is dynamically staged through animated rings on the speedometer.
Both the Taycan Turbo GT and the Turbo GT with the Weissach package represent Porsche’s new sporting flagship models and offer a base power output of 777 hp (580 kW). Through the variant’s Launch Control feature, this output can be increased to 1019 hp (760 kW), and further to 1092 hp (815 kW) for two seconds, based on the peak power measurement method. Porsche has identified that the variant’s pulse inverter is the key component facilitating these power enhancements. In both versions, pulse inverters with a maximum current of 900 amps are used on the rear axle – enabling an increase in power and torque against the 600-amp pulse inverter featured in the Taycan Turbo S. Its use of silicon carbide as a semiconductor material works to enhance efficiency, offering a reduction in switching losses in the PWR and enabling higher switching frequencies.
While offering similar power specifications, Porsche confirmed that the Turbo GT is capable of reaching 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.3 seconds, while the same sprint will take the version equipped with the Weissach package 2.2 seconds. The OEM also highlighted the capabilities both models offered when accelerating from a standstill to 200 km/h (124 mph), with the Turbo GT reaching this speed in 6.6 seconds and the Turbo GT with the Weissach package reaching it in 6.4 seconds. Both versions will offer a maximum torque of 988 lb-ft (1,340 Nm) and an estimated range of 344 miles (555 kilometers). This range is enabled by a 105-kWh battery which accepts DC charging at up to 320 kW, allowing both versions to be charged from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes (when charging with maximum power).
In testing the performance capabilities of the Turbo GT model equipped with the Weissach package, Porsche took it to the Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, in California – where it achieved a lap time of 1:27.87. A pre-production version of this model similarly posted a lap time of 7:07.55 on the Nordschleife track at the Nürburgring, which is 26 seconds faster than a lap Porsche had previously recorded in August 2022 for its Taycan Turbo S Sport sedan (equipped with the performance package).
Optimized for track driving on courses like Laguna Seca and the Nordschleife, the Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach package offers enhanced specifications and an alternate design compared to its counterpart. Here, the Weissach package EV offers an increased top speed of 189 mph (305 km/h), against the Taycan Turbo GT’s top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and removes equipment that Porsche says is not required for track driving. Removing this equipment, such as the rear seats, rear speakers and one of two charging ports, reduced the EV’s weight by 154 lb (70 kg). In place of the rear seats is a lightweight carbon cladding with a storage compartment behind the seat shells for the driver and passenger.
Porsche is planning to launch both the Taycan Turbo GT and the Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach package in Europe and the UK in spring 2024. In Europe, the model will start at €246,000, while starting at £186,300 in the UK. In summer 2024, Porsche will begin selling the model in the U.S. from $230,000. The OEM confirmed that the Taycan Turbo GT model with the Weissach package will be available at no extra cost.
