Photo credit: Porsche
The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, equipped with the Weissach package and OEM Pirelli Trofeo RS performance tires, has established a new lap record for electric vehicles at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo. On February 5, 2025, Felipe Nasr, a three-time IMSA champion, achieved a time of 1:42.1 minutes on the 2.67-mile track. This time significantly improved upon the previous record of 1:49.8 minutes set by the Taycan Turbo S in 2022 and came close to the 911 Turbo S’s record of 1:43.087 minutes.
Interlagos is recognized for its combination of high-speed and technical sections, along with notable elevation changes. Nasr commented on his experience, stating, “Coming to Interlagos and getting behind the wheel of the Taycan Turbo GT right after winning the 24 Hours of Daytona was an incredible experience.” He noted the impressive acceleration and overall performance of the vehicle, highlighting its precise steering and stability during heavy braking.
The Interlagos circuit, officially named Autodrome José Carlos Pace, is known for its historical significance in Formula 1, particularly for the successes of Ayrton Senna in the early 1990s. The Taycan Turbo GT has also served as a safety car in Formula E since May 2024, being the most powerful safety car in an FIA World Championship, and is utilized in pairs at each race.
The recent record in São Paulo adds to a series of achievements for the Taycan model line across various global circuits. In January 2025, a Taycan GTS set a record for the longest continuous drift by an electric vehicle on ice, covering 10.87 miles. Earlier, in spring 2024, Porsche development driver Lars Kern set a record lap time of 1:27.87 minutes at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, surpassing all previous times for road-legal electric cars. Kern also achieved a notable lap time of 7:07.55 minutes at the Nürburgring in a pre-production version of the Taycan.
The Taycan Turbo GT and its Weissach package variant represent the pinnacle of Porsche’s all-electric sports sedan lineup. They utilize a more powerful pulse inverter with silicon carbide semiconductors, allowing for peak power outputs of up to 1019 hp. The vehicles feature an Attack Mode that can boost power by an additional 160 hp for short durations. Weight reduction measures, including carbon-fiber components, have decreased the Taycan Turbo GT’s weight by up to 157 lbs compared to the Taycan Turbo S. Both models come with Porsche Active Ride suspension, specifically tuned for dynamic driving situations.