There are a few racetracks around the world that, for various reasons, have become unofficial benchmarks for almost all manufacturers. Sadly for Porsche, as great as the circuit looks, the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta isn't one of them.
That's not to take anything away from the track itself or Porsche's achievement, but it does look as though the Germans are avoiding the more highly disputed tracks in the USA. Either that or, hopefully, this is just a warm-up for something like the Willow Springs or, even better, the Laguna Seca.
The Porsche Taycan Turbo S has been disputing the title of the quickest electric sedan with the Tesla Model S ever since it came out and, one year later, it looks like we finally have a definitive answer. But being quick in a straight line is one thing; being able to pull a quick lap time out on a circuit, completely another.
Since it's a Porsche, the latter was never going to be a problem for the Taycan, and the brand's first-ever electric model proved it right away by setting a record time on the world's most iconic track - the northern loop of the Nürburgring - for stock production EVs.
As you can probably remember, Tesla reacted quickly by sending two Model S prototypes with a tri-motor setup to try and beat the Taycan's time of 7:42.34, which proved only four seconds slower than a Ferrari 458 Italia, to give just one random reference. Tesla reportedly managed to cut the Taycan's time by roughly 20 seconds, but since it was done by what was essentially a Model S Plaid prototype, it remained an unofficial achievement.
Now, it looks as though the American manufacturer has turned its attention to the Laguna Seca track where the Model S Plaid prototype has locked horns with another upcoming EV, the Lucid Air. Compared to this pair, the two motors of the Taycan put it at a disadvantage, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't like to know exactly where it stands. We're pretty sure Randy Pobst would jump at the opportunity.
In the meantime, the Taycan has set a record for EVs and four-door sedans alike on the Road Atlanta track with a time of 1:33.9. The man behind the wheel was pro driver and fellow Georgian Leh Keen, who managed to make the most out of the EV's 761 hp over the entire 2.54 miles (4.08 km) of the track. You can watch the entire clip below - it may lack the roaring sound of an engine, but don't make the mistake of thinking it lacks in excitement for one second.
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