R5.7-million Taycan Turbo GT unveiled – The most powerful Porsche of all time

Porsche has expanded its all-electric Taycan family with a new flagship Turbo GT model, which holds the impressive accolade of being the most powerful series-production car in the automaker’s storied 92-year history.

The electric vehicle (EV) is available as standard or with the track-focused Weissach Package, with prices starting at R5,765,000 which includes a 3-year/100,000km Driveplan.

“The order books are open and these models will be available [in South Africa] from model year 2025,” the domestic wing of Porsche confirmed to TopAuto.

Double record holder

Despite only being revealed yesterday, the new Taycan Turbo GT already holds two records for its impressive capabilities.

The first, it is the fastest road-approved EV that has ever gone around the iconic Laguna Seca Raceway in California at 1 minute 27.87 seconds, as well as the fastest four-door vehicle of any powertrain type to conquer the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife at 7 minutes 07.55 seconds – which is 20 seconds quicker than the last record holder, the Taycan Turbo S Sport.

To achieve these feats, the GT models benefit from a more powerful 900-ampere pulse inverter than their standard siblings and as a result generate 580kW in normal conditions, which jumps to 760kW with Launch Control activated and up to 815kW for two seconds at peak levels, with maximum torque measured at 1,340Nm.

Additionally, the sports sedans feature a new Attack Mode function that enables 120kW of extra power for 10 seconds at the push of a button for enhanced on-track performance.

The staggering figures allow the EV to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 2.3 seconds and 200km/h in 6.6 seconds, dropping to 2.2 seconds and 6.4 seconds, respectively, when the Weissach Package is equipped.

Top speed is pegged at 290km/h for the standard version and 305km/h for the Weissach.

Despite its high-performance nature, maximum driving range for the new Porsche still comes in at a rather impressive 555km.

Apart from the uprated powertrain, the Taycan Turbo GT models were on the receiving end of several enhancements over and above that of the Turbo S.

Upgrades encompass lightweight ceramic brakes as well as the Porsche Active Ride suspension system with GT-specific tuning; combined with weight-saving carbon fibre on the B-pillars, door mirror shells, and side skirts.

The GT derivatives further boast a unique design in the Taycan range, underscored by Matrix LED headlights, a new front spoiler with bespoke aeroblades, an adaptive rear spoiler, a revised Gurney flap in a high-gloss carbon-weave finish, coloured Porsche crests on the bonnet and hub caps, and exclusive 21-inch forged wheels with relief-milled spokes that simultaneously save weight and ventilate the brakes more effectively.

Two new paint options are also offered exclusively on the Turbo GT units for the first year of production, comprising Pale Blue Metallic and Purple Sky Metallic.

Inside, the EVs are fitted with carbon fibre-reinforced plastic bucket seats with Race-Tex/Black Leather upholstery, a GT Sports steering wheel, and the Sport Chrono Package.

The automaker has even gone so far as to remove the electric soft-closing function of the tailgate to trim more fat, with all these tweaks resulting in a total weight savings of 75kg in comparison to the Turbo S.

If the Weissach Package is selected, additional aerodynamic measures on the Taycan Turbo GT include air deflector elements on the underbody and a new front diffuser, combined with a fixed rear wing in a carbon-weave finish, which altogether produces up to 220kg of downforce.

The optional package also eliminates all equipment not required for track driving to shave off another 70kg versus the standard Turbo GT.

As a result, the Turbo GT with Weissach Package drops the analogue clock on the dash, the front and boot mats, the rear seats, the rear speakers, and the Bose Sound System; and it uses less insulation material as well as special sound- and heat-insulating glass.

It also has one charging port on the passenger side only, which is operated manually instead of electrically in the pursuit of weight savings.

With this option, Special Weissach logos adorn both sides of the rear wing as well as the dash in front of the passenger seat.

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT