Earlier this year, Porsche debuted the 2023 Porsche Taycan featuring a handful of hardware changes and a few software updates. In mid-October, Porsche shared the results of the software changes. Every model in the lineup gained a few extra miles of range. And we thought that was it for the Taycan.
But a few days ago, our spy photographers caught some sort of hardcore Taycan, complete with a roll cage and a fixed rear wing. Porsche already claimed its Nurburgring EV record back from Tesla, so what are the Germans up to?
A recent Auto Express report suggests Porsche is working on a triple-motor Taycan to rival the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air Sapphire. The former has 1,020 horsepower, while the Lucid is the current leader with more than 1,200 hp.
The battle of the triple-motor EV sedans is in full swing.
What can we expect from what will likely be the first electric GT model? For starters, the standard Taycan Turbo S' dual-motor setup produces 616 hp and 774 lb-ft of torque. In the overboost mode, the power jumps up to 750 hp. Getting it to 1,000 hp will require an additional electric motor at the rear, opening up a new world of potential performance enhancements.
Obviously, it needs to reach 60 mph in less than two seconds. Otherwise, what's the point? The Porsche also has a two-speed gearbox at the rear so that it can sit at high speeds for longer. This might give it an advantage regarding top speed Top Trumps.
Having two motors at the rear also opens up the possibility of active torque vectoring. We recently spoke to the man behind the quad-motor Pininfarina Battista, who said that dynamic torque vectoring is the next step forward.
Unlike typical brake-based torque vectoring systems, an active approach can send power to a wheel. With that in mind, imagine the cornering ability if the Taycan can brake the inside wheels using regenerative braking while transmitting power to the outside wheels.
If this is indeed the case, Porsche might be looking at setting a new Nurburgring record that will stand for several years.
