Taycan Turbo GT Breaks EV Lap Record

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT has just redefined the limits of electric performance by setting a new lap record at the legendary Interlagos circuit in São Paulo. Driven by experienced racer Felipe Nasr, the model achieved an impressive time, showcasing Porsche’s exceptional capability and cutting-edge engineering in the realm of high-performance electric vehicles. This achievement not only solidifies the Taycan Turbo GT’s position as a leader in its category but also raises the bar for future electric sports cars.

This record comes after a series of remarkable accomplishments for the Taycan at various renowned circuits around the world, from the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife to the winding WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The consistent performance of the Taycan on different types of tracks reinforces its versatility and adaptability—essential attributes for a high-caliber sports car. The latest feat at Interlagos adds a new chapter to the Taycan’s success story, cementing its status as an icon of electric sports mobility.

A New Standard of Speed at Interlagos

On February 5, 2025, Felipe Nasr, a driver with an impressive résumé that includes three IMSA titles and three victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona, recorded a time of 1:42.1 minutes on the 4,309-meter Interlagos circuit. This time not only surpassed the previous record for electric cars, which was 1:49.8 minutes set by the Taycan Turbo S in 2022, by nearly eight seconds, but it also came within less than a second of the time achieved by the 911 Turbo S (1:43.087 minutes), an iconic Porsche model with a combustion engine. The direct comparison with the 911 Turbo S highlights the remarkable evolution of electric technology and the Taycan Turbo GT’s ability to compete with traditional sports cars in terms of pure performance.

The Interlagos track, officially known as the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, is a revered venue in global motorsports, famous for hosting Formula 1 and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The circuit, which honors national hero Ayrton Senna, features a challenging combination of high-speed sections, technical stretches, and elevation changes, demanding the utmost from both cars and drivers. Therefore, the Taycan Turbo GT’s record at Interlagos is not just a number, but a testament to its ability to dominate one of the most demanding circuits in the world.

Felipe Nasr and the Taycan Turbo GT

Felipe Nasr expressed his enthusiasm and admiration for the Taycan Turbo GT after achieving the record. “Coming to Interlagos and driving the Taycan Turbo GT right after winning the 24 Hours of Daytona was an incredible experience. I expected strong acceleration and torque, but in the end, it was the overall performance that truly impressed me,” stated the factory driver for Porsche. His words highlight the comprehensive performance of the Taycan Turbo GT, which goes beyond raw acceleration to encompass drivability, balance, and responsiveness under various track conditions.

Nasr also emphasized the precision of the steering and the car’s stability, even during hard braking and tight corners. “It’s amazing how quickly the car accelerates and delivers its power,” continued the Porsche Penske Motorsport driver. “The steering of the Taycan Turbo GT was very precise in slow corners and remained stable even under heavy braking. The balance, the grip—it’s a true performance machine.” The feedback from the driver, who has extensive experience in high-level competitions, validates the dynamic qualities and refined engineering of the Taycan Turbo GT.

Record Aligned with the Debut in the Brazilian Market

“Our goal was to set a new record to showcase the strengths of the new Taycan model series—just in time for its debut in the Brazilian market,” explained Peter Vogel, CEO of Porsche Brasil. The achievement of the record at Interlagos carries significant strategic importance for Porsche, boosting the launch of the Taycan Turbo GT in Brazil. The vehicle’s exceptional performance on such an iconic circuit, well-known to the Brazilian audience, will certainly help generate excitement and reinforce the brand’s image of innovation and excellence.

“The exceptional performance of the Taycan Turbo GT is truly impressive,” concluded Vogel. The statement from the CEO of Porsche Brasil highlights the company’s pride in the achievement and confidence in the potential of the Taycan Turbo GT in the Brazilian market. Thus, the Interlagos record is not only a technical milestone but also a powerful marketing tool for Porsche in the context of launching the new model.

Taycan Turbo GT: Safety and Performance in Formula E

The Taycan Turbo GT also showcases its motorsport credentials as the safety car for Formula E since May 2024, succeeding the Taycan Turbo S in this role. Driven by Bruno Correia (Portugal), it is the most powerful safety car in an FIA World Championship. The presence of the Taycan Turbo GT in Formula E as the safety car underscores its performance capability in a high-level competition environment, as well as reinforcing Porsche’s image as a pioneer in electric technology in motorsports.

There are always two Taycan Turbo GT safety cars—both equipped with the Weissach package—at each Formula E race. Equipped with safety equipment and a high-tech communication system, they alternate between the roles of main safety car and reserve vehicle. The use of two vehicles ensures the constant availability of a high-performance safety car, crucial for the safety and smooth operation of Formula E races.

The Versatility of the Taycan

The lap record in São Paulo joins other records held by the Taycan model at very different circuits around the world, some even frozen. Recently, in January 2025, Porsche Experience instructor Jens Richter established the longest continuous drift record in an electric vehicle in a Taycan GTS, covering a distance of 11.3 miles (17.50 km) entirely sideways. This record demonstrates the versatility of the Taycan, capable of delivering performance on both high-speed tracks and in extreme conditions like ice.

In spring 2024, Porsche test driver Lars Kern successfully visited the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California. With a time of 1:27.87 minutes, he set a faster lap than any other driver in a street-legal electric car. Shortly before that, a pre-production version of this model had achieved a new, faster time in its class at Nürburgring. Kern was also at the wheel on that occasion, completing the Nordschleife in just 7:07.55 minutes. With this official lap time, he was 26 seconds faster than his previous record-setting run in August 2022 in a Taycan Turbo S sedan. These diverse records, across different types of tracks and conditions, demonstrate the breadth of the Taycan’s capabilities and the excellence of Porsche engineering.

Taycan Turbo GT and Weissach Package: Engineering for Maximum Performance

Porsche has raised the bar for its lineup of all-electric sports sedans with the Taycan Turbo GT and Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach package. A more powerful and efficient pulse inverter using silicon carbide as the semiconductor material is employed on the rear axle. Both cars achieve a limited-time peak power of up to 1019 hp. This increase in power, combined with other technical enhancements, is crucial for the exceptional performance of the models.

With the push of a button, the Attack Mode provides a power boost of up to 163 hp for up to 10 seconds. The system has been optimized for track use and functions similarly to that of the 99X race cars Porsche uses in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The boost is indicated by a countdown timer on the instrument panel and dynamically represented by animated rings on the speedometer. The Formula E-inspired technology demonstrates the transfer of knowledge and innovation between racing tracks and Porsche’s street cars.

With intelligent lightweight construction measures, Porsche has reduced the weight of the Taycan Turbo GT by up to 156 lbs (71 kg) compared to the Taycan Turbo S. Various carbon fiber components contribute to this weight savings. The Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach package is specifically designed for the tracks, omitting the rear seat for an even greater power-to-weight ratio. The pursuit of weight reduction and optimization of the power-to-weight ratio is a core characteristic of high-performance sports cars, and the Taycan Turbo GT adheres to this philosophy rigorously.

Both models come standard with Porsche Active Ride suspension, specifically tuned for GT use. In dynamic driving situations, this suspension setup ensures an almost perfect connection with the road thanks to the balanced distribution of wheel loads. The active suspension, combined with other dynamic control systems, contributes to the agility, precision, and stability of the Taycan Turbo GT under various driving conditions.

Taycan Turbo GT, An Electric Performance Icon

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is not just another electric car; it is a demonstration that electrification can harmoniously coexist with the performance and excitement expected from a high-caliber sports car. The record at Interlagos, along with other global achievements, proves the Taycan Turbo GT’s ability to exceed expectations and set new standards in the electric performance vehicle segment. With cutting-edge technology, refined engineering, and innovative design, the Taycan Turbo GT solidifies its status as an icon of the electric sports mobility era, ready to captivate enthusiasts and challenge the limits of speed.