*all photos credited to EVO magazine
While there are few who would argue that the Porsche Taycan isn’t a notably better overall automobile than the Tesla Model S, we have yet to see a direct retort from the German automaker with regards to their competitor’s range-topping Plaid model.
Sure, Porsche’s most capable Taycan Turbo S models are already bonkers fast and their overall driving dynamics do ultimately make them superior cars—to anyone capable of having their emotions elicited from something as simple as a drive to the grocery store, anyway.
But, even though it might lack in refinement and build quality, the Tesla Model S Plaid is able to boast over 1,000 hp (and a tri-motor setup, to boot) on its way to becoming the fastest accelerating production car at the time of release. The Taycan, so far, has managed about three-quarters of that feat via the Turbo S and its 751 hp output.
‘GT’ Is Always The Answer
At the end of the day, the majority of Porsche enthusiasts would’ve been surprised if they didn’t get to see the GT division’s fingerprints all over the platform at some point. With a non-camouflaged Porsche Taycan GT test mule recently being spotted lapping the Nürburgring (video below), it’s just a matter of time before it becomes official. Some sources say that production versions could arrive as soon as 2024.
It took almost 5 years for the company’s first EV platform to get a GT model, which isn’t unreasonable considering it was (or still is) the new kid on the block with anticipated growing pains. As the Porsche Taycan GT isn’t official just yet, neither is its name. If there was ever a nomenclature focus group, surely the consensus would be to call it the Taycan GT-E, not just (but mostly) because of how nicely it segues into an eventual GT-E RS model, I reckon—really rolls off the tongue nicely!
Porsche’s Original Recipe…
The all-black prototype does little to conceal the more important details, including a large rear wing and aggressive front splitter which integrates seamlessly into dive planes protruding from either side of the bumper. At a glance, the brakes appear to be larger compared to any other Taycan model, as should be expected. You don’t need to stage a crime scene or use a microscope to see that this particular Taycan has Preuninger’s DNA all over it.
…With a Dash of EV
Insiders have remarked that the new range-topping Taycan model should output power figures which are comparable to its rival’s 1,020 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Of course, this will be dispatched through an all-wheel drive system as is the case for all of the EV’s top performing models. Porsche inevitably had to sell-out a bit in order to flex as hard as the Model S Plaid does, with their own rendition of a tri-motor drivetrain required to grant the Taycan GT membership into the 1,000 hp club.
Not a whole lot more is known at this time, though some educated guesses can be made regarding interior amenities and the like. As with any GT car, you can probably expect carbon bucket seats to be optional, if not standard fare. Other signatures such as contrast stitching, the liberal use of Alcantara, and more track-oriented drive modes, are likely to be part of the equation. All that being said, an optional Weissach Package seems only logical—that is, if the GT ends up being the highest ranking Taycan model, or if an ‘RS’ variant like I mentioned before, gets released.
It’ll be interesting to see how the upcoming Taycan GT will be received within the contemporary Porsche line-up. You would think that the most hardcore track enthusiasts (and purists) will stick with the GT2-GT3-GT4 establishment, while a car like the Taycan GT is definitely not for those who are squeamish about range and prefer to score high on hypermiling rather than g-force readings.
We’ll share more details on the Porsche Taycan GT, as they become available.
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