KUALA LUMPUR: Porsche has unveiled that the Taycan Turbo GT as the new safety car for the Formula E circuit, starting with the upcoming races in Berlin on May 11 and 12. The Taycan Turbo GT, unveiled in February, succeeds the 2019 Taycan Turbo S and will serve in dual roles with two distinct variants — each featuring unique specifications and colour schemes.

Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, emphasized the significance of the move, stating, "“Sustainability and electrification are of great importance to Porsche, which is reflected in our motorsport activities – including the deployment of the Taycan Turbo GT as a safety car. This is symbolic of the fact that we learn from motorsport for series applications. In Formula E, this is especially true of our electric sports cars, for example in energy management. This is another reason why the Taycan has improved in almost every discipline recently.”

The Turbo GT variant represents the pinnacle of Porsche's production line and has demonstrated its capabilities with record lap times at renowned tracks like the Nürburgring and Laguna Seca. This model boasts enhancements in power, range, charging speed, and robustness. Notably, equipped with the optional Weissach package, the Turbo GT can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 305 km/h. It also features an Attack Mode, which temporarily provides up to 163PS of additional power, mirroring technology from the Porsche 99X Electric, Porsche's Formula E championship car.

The fastest production electric vehicle on the Nürburgring and Laguna Seca tracks, delivers an astounding 1,108 PS and 1,340 Nm of torque. It is equipped with a 105 kWh battery, of which 97 kWh is usable, boasts a remarkable range of up to 600 km, setting a new benchmark in performance EV capabilities.

 

This season, for the first time, two versions of the Taycan Turbo GT will lead the Formula E field. The primary safety car, coated in Purple Sky Metallic, will feature the Weissach package and will be a two-seater. The secondary car, painted in Shade Green Metallic, will retain its four-seat configuration without the performance enhancements.

Developed at Porsche's carbon-neutral facility in Weissach and maintained by the specialists at Manthey at the Nürburgring, these cars are equipped with necessary modifications such as warning lights, advanced communication systems, and safety equipment. Bruno Correia, the experienced Portuguese driver, will continue to pilot the safety car.

Porsche's involvement in Formula E represents its fifth season and underscores the brand's dedication to leading the traditional automotive industry in electrification, sustainability, and technological innovation. Through its participation, Porsche seeks to refine the development of its electric production vehicles, drawing invaluable insights from the high-stakes world of electric motorsport.

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