A WEISSACH-SPEC PORSCHE TAYCAN TURBO GT SETS 3RD CIRCUIT RECORD - THIS TIME AT THE SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
In yet another milestone, Porsche’s Taycan Turbo GT, driven by Lars Kern, set a blistering 2:11.28-minute lap, clinching the title of the fastest series-production car on the renowned Formula 1 track at Shanghai International Circuit. This lap time not only secures Porsche a place in the record books but also marks the first-ever officially recognized lap record on this circuit. “Each racetrack presents its own unique challenge, and the Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach package was designed to rise to every one of them,” said Kevin Giek, VP of Model Line Taycan at Porsche. “With records across Germany’s Eifel, California, and now China, the Taycan proves itself on a global stage.” Taking on Shanghai’s challenges - the Shanghai track’s notorious weather added to the pressure, with intermittent rain keeping the surface slick even at the end of the session. “That just makes the Taycan’s balance and performance even more impressive,” remarked Lars Kern. Tackling the challenging ‘snail curve,’ Kern expertly manoeuvred through its tightening twists, maximizing the Taycan’s exit speed to carry momentum into the high-speed left-handers. The track’s fast sections pushed the Taycan Turbo GT to its limits, hitting 300 km/h at its fastest point. With attack mode engaged, the car unleashed an additional 120 kW boost for up to 10 seconds, optimizing acceleration with a powerful surge designed to make every millisecond count. The record-breaking Taycan Turbo GT was equipped with full race-spec safety features, including a cage and racing bucket seats, and optional Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres for extra grip. This model, along with the Turbo GT Weissach package, introduced in 2024, features a cutting-edge pulse inverter on the rear axle using silicon carbide—a high-efficiency semiconductor that enables over 810 kW (1,100 hp) in short bursts.
Through clever lightweight construction and enhanced aerodynamics, Porsche shaved off 75 kg from the Taycan Turbo GT compared to the Turbo S. Carbon components and a rear seat delete further dial in the power-to-weight advantage for track dominance, while Porsche Active Ride suspension with GT-specific tuning ensures optimal traction, transferring every bit of power to the asphalt. With Shanghai’s record in the books, Porsche’s Taycan Turbo GT shows no signs of slowing down as it continues to elevate EV performance on tracks worldwide. It wasn’t that long ago that Kern took the turboless Turbo EV through its paces at the famed Nurburgring. At this track that’s become the de facto benchmark for motoring performance, Kern’s set a new official lap time that shaved a whopping 26 seconds off the previous time when he took the Taycan around the Nordschleife in 7:07.55. “Twenty-six seconds is half an eternity in motorsport. Lars’ lap time of 7:07.55 minutes on the Nordschleife is sensational, putting the Taycan in the same league as electric hypercars,” says head of the model line, Kevin Giek. “And the impressive thing about it is that over several laps, Lars clocked almost exactly the same time.” Chatting to Kern, he said: “I pushed as hard as I could, but that was really all I could do.” The Taycan is looking like the EV to beat, both on track and in real-world conditions, and it’s evident that this marketing push has worked because the EV has racked up in the region of 200,000 sales worldwide. The street version as seen on showroom floors can hit 100 km/h in a mere 2.2 seconds, and if you want one with the added Weissach will set you back a cool R5,982,000. Well, that’s where pricing starts, you still need take into consideration the various extra options that can be added to make the car even more unique.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the properly fast, record-setting Porsche Taycan in the top Weissach spec blitzing the iconic Shanghai International Circuit to claim yet another EV-related performance record - the third for this Porsche that really should drop the Turbo part of it's name: Three records on three continents | The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package | Porsche
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!
Article Tags:
News SXdrv Lap Record EV Shanghai International Circuit Weissach Taycan Turbo GT Porsche