Lap record was set at Laguna Seca by the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package.
It wasn’t too long ago that a Taycan Turbo S pre-production car set a new class record on the Nürburgring. Porsche development driver Lars Kern was at the wheel on that occasion.
Now, the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package has earned the title of fastest electric series-production car at the Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, in California, on 23 February 2024. With Kern once again at the helm, a time of 1:27.87min. meant that he put in a faster lap than any other driver has before with a road-approved electric car.
“The two records in Laguna Seca and on the Nordschleife show what great track potential there is in the Taycan,” said Model Line Vice President Kevin Giek.
“To prove your mettle on the track, it’s not enough to simply have as much power as possible. The overall package of accelerating and braking, cornering grip, aerodynamics, stability and fine-tuning has to be right.”
“In the Taycan Turbo GT and the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package in particular, our engineers have achieved this in absolutely stunning fashion. They have already done a great job with the recently updated existing Taycan models. But our new GT cars yet again clearly raise the bar even higher in terms of driving dynamics.”
“The track at Laguna Seca pushes the Taycan Turbo GT to the limit. It’s the overall package that makes the difference,” said development driver Kern.
“The Turbo GT with Weissach package sets new standards in almost every metric. These include acceleration and braking, an Attack Mode that’s intuitive to use and a powertrain designed for maximum traction and performance.”
“And the cornering grip levels are just as impressive. The controllability and light-footedness are unbelievable. The tyres work very well and you have the right balance in every driving situation. It is incredibly good fun to drive this car around the undulating track at Laguna Seca.”
When triggered, up to 163hp of additional power is available for 10 seconds at the press of a button. Attack Mode is based on the push-to-pass function of the other Taycan models.
The system is optimised for driving on the track and functions in a similar way to the 99X racing cars that Porsche uses in the Electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The boost is indicated by a countdown timer in the instrument cluster and dynamically staged with animated rings on the speedometer.
Compared to the push-to-pass function in the other Taycan models, Attack Mode offers 68hp more boost power and is operated and made available in different ways: as an alternative to pressing the mode switch that’s mounted just off to the side of the steering wheel boss, Attack Mode can also be activated and deactivated via the right-hand paddle.
This makes the function easier to use on the track. “You can also trigger the boost with racing gloves, and without taking a hand off the wheel,” explained Kern.
“With this simple, safe and fast means of operation, the Taycan Turbo GT models are tailored to the needs of a racing driver.” With the left steering wheel paddle, the recuperation level can be set and adapted to the driving situation.
The Taycan Turbo GT and Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package are the new sporting flagship models and take Taycan performance to the next level. Equipped with a more powerful pulse inverter, both cars have 789hp.
With Launch Control that increases to up to 1,033hp of overboost power or up to 1,108hp for two seconds according to the peak power measurement method.
The Taycan Turbo GT needs just 2.3 seconds for the sprint from zero to 100 km/h or just 2.2 seconds with the Weissach package. This makes the model one- to two-tenths of a second faster than the Taycan Turbo S.
The difference in acceleration from a standstill to 200 km/h is even greater: 6.6 or 6.4 seconds for the Taycan Turbo GT without/with the Weissach package, which is up to 1.3 seconds quicker than the Taycan Turbo S.
With intelligent lightweight construction measures, Porsche has reduced the weight of the Taycan Turbo GT by up to 75kg compared to the Taycan Turbo S. A number of carbon parts contribute to this.
Carbon fibre is used for the trims on the B-pillars, the upper shells on the door mirrors and the side skirt inlays, among other components. The full bucket seats made of CFRP, a lightweight luggage compartment and the omission of the electric soft-closing function of the tailgate also save weight.
The Taycan Turbo GT is equipped as standard with the dynamics package. This includes the Porsche Active Ride suspension with GT-specific tuning. In dynamic driving situations, this suspension ensures an almost perfect connection to the road thanks to a balanced distribution of wheel loads.
In addition, the equipment package includes special performance summer tyres. They are mounted on 21-inch lightweight forged wheels. The exclusive Turbo GT wheels have relief-milled spokes, which save weight and at the same time effectively ventilate the brakes.
The Taycan Turbo GT comes standard with lightweight ceramic brakes. Based on the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), the brake system has been optimised from a weight perspective. Design changes to the brake disc chamber and the brake calliper housing shave off more than two kilograms.
This has a positive effect on both the driving dynamics and performance: reducing the unsprung and rotating masses enhances performance. The brake callipers are painted exclusively in Victory Gold.
Porsche developed a front spoiler with aero blades specifically for the Taycan Turbo GT. The rear view is dominated by an adaptive spoiler, the tear-off edge of which features a Gurney flap in a high-gloss carbon-weave finish.
A total of six exterior colours are available, including the new paint options of Pale Blue Metallic and Purple Sky Metallic. These are reserved exclusively for the Taycan Turbo GT for one year.
The extensive Paint to Sample programme from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur offers further customisation options. In addition, a set of decals with the Taycan logo is available in the lower part of the doors and on the front bonnet, either in Volt Blue or Black (matt)/Black (high-gloss).
The sporty Race-Tex features come with black leather trims as standard. The standard equipment also includes lightweight full bucket seats in a carbon-weave finish (high-gloss).
Front Adaptive Sports Seats Plus (with electric 18-way adjustment and memory package) can be ordered as an option and at no extra charge. A Turbo GT logo is embroidered on the front headrests.
In addition, a badge with the individual model logo is located below the climate control panel. Exclusive interior equipment with contrasting tones in Volt Blue or GT Silver is available on request.
On the GT sports steering wheel, the rim is covered with black Race-Tex and has a 12 o’clock marking. The Taycan Turbo GT features the Sport Chrono package from the Taycan Turbo S.
Weighing in at 70kg less than the Taycan Turbo GT, the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package is even more laser sharp in its positioning. With additional aerodynamics and lightweight construction measures, this model is even more resolutely designed for performance.
The Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.2 seconds, making the two-seater a tenth of a second faster than the similarly powerful Taycan Turbo GT. Its top speed is 305 instead of 290 km/h.
Additional aerodynamics measures include air deflector elements on the underbody and a new front diffuser. In the rear, the model with the Weissach package features a fixed rear wing in a carbon-weave finish with wing supports fixed to the body. The total downforce here is up to 220 kg.
The Weissach package logo features on both sides of the rear wing. Exclusively available on request is a striped wrap in Volt Blue, Black or Black (matt). This further accentuates the car’s motorsport character. The striped design can be combined with the black decal set.
Instead of the usual rear seat system, there is tailor-made, high-quality lightweight carbon cladding with a storage compartment behind the seat shells for the driver and front passenger.
The analogue clock from the Sport Chrono package, which is normally present on the instrument panel, is also dispensed with, as are the foot and boot mats and less insulation material is used.
The Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package only has a charge port door on the passenger side, which is operated manually instead of electrically.
Special sound- and heat-insulating glass and the Sound Package Plus also save weight. The latter does without rear speakers and replaces the BOSE Surround Sound system.
Photo Credits: Porsche
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