🏁 Taycan GT / GT3 / GT4 prototype (or hot performance variant) spotted?!

[grahamsimmonds]

This is an official Porsche test vehicle. So the “someone” are Porsche engineers. ?

If that's true, its a mule for some tech they are testing. Unless you can get rid of that weight down to 1500 kg, there is no point in producing a Taycan GT3/4, apart from if you cut the capacity of the battery. And If you did that, it would not last a single 15 minute session around a track.

I love my Taycan, especially around a track. But it's too big and too heavy to produce a GT3/4 version. Hopefully the 2025/6 Cayman will be the one.

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[Archimedes]

Something like this would only make sense for a track

It’s an aero kit package. Porsche puts it on base Carreras, 99 percent of which never see the track. The only issue here is whether Porsche can achieve higher downforce without increasing drag. Porsche has been successful in doing that across its latest GT car range, so perhaps they know what they’re doing.

Again, it’s just a test mule. My guess is Porsche knows more about this stuff than the TaycanForum.

 

[Archimedes]

If that's true, its a mule for some tech they are testing. Unless you can get rid of that weight down to 1500 kg, there is no point in producing a Taycan GT3/4, apart from if you cut the capacity of the battery. And If you did that, it would not last a single 15 minute session around a track.

I love my Taycan, especially around a track. But it's too big and too heavy to produce a GT3/4 version.

You should email Porsche R&D and pass this info along to them. They’re probably unaware.

 

[TDinDC]

It’s an aero kit package. Porsche puts it on base Carreras, 99 percent of which never see the track. The only issue here is whether Porsche can achieve higher downforce without increasing drag. Porsche has been successful in doing that across its latest GT car range, so perhaps they know what they’re doing.

Again, it’s just a test mule. My guess is Porsche knows more about this stuff than the TaycanForum.

I guess I didn't make my point clearly enough. I know what an aero kit package is. For an EV at road legal speeds, you simply don't need that type of aero. You don't need the downforce and God knows you don't want to make your range decrease due to unnecessary aero bits. You don't even need them for ICE street cars, but at least with ICE cars you don't have to worry about range. It might make sense for something like a GT3RS that actually gets taken to the track, but most owners I imagine will not even take them to the track, which means they are just there to flex . . . And of course Porsche knows this, but it's in the business of selling cars so it is willing to put things on cars that don't make logical sense to get those who care about flexing to pay more money for it. Indeed, that likely explains launch control and several other features. That still doesn't mean it makes sense from a driving perspective.

 

[bsclywilly]

I would love to see a center mounted rad vented through the hood to aid cooling. The duct taped side vents was something I was planning on testing at my next track day end of this month along with some other mods. Venting and mixing air in the wheel wells not great for cooling.

You can get about 40min of track time on the current battery. For a track EV I would give up 40% of that battery capacity for weight savings and have a mobile DC charger next to me in the garage to charge up after each session.

 

[bsclywilly]

With the addition of the rear wing they also need to address the lack of front grip. Not sure if it’s a Porsche thing or specific to Taycan but this car understeers too much. More front tire, larger splitter and /or underbody shaping could make use of the rear wing interaction to move the aero balance forward.

 

[daveo4EV]

I would love to see a center mounted rad vented through the hood to aid cooling. The duct taped side vents was something I was planning on testing at my next track day end of this month along with some other mods. Venting and mixing air in the wheel wells not great for cooling.

You can get about 40min of track time on the current battery. For a track EV I would give up 40% of that battery capacity for weight savings and have a mobile DC charger next to me in the garage to charge up after each session.

I agree with the 40 min of track time - but only in two separate 15 min sessions based on my at track experience with my 2020 Taycan Turbo

also my instructor this summer at nurburgring w/Porsche who is a 9 year veteran mechanical engineer (he was lead engineer on RWS for 991.x GT3) was commenting it was super super hard to tease a lap out of the Taycan at the ring - they had a lot of difficulties getting the Taycan's ring lap…several aborted attempts due to issues with the battery…and it's still tricky today due to thermal loads.

 

[TaycanHero]

Love the Duct tape option. I wish I had specced "Cover the front panel randomly with black duct tape". That car is a mess.

I will have you know that's a £360 option from Porsche Manufaktur... Their intern department.

 

[TDinDC]

I agree with the 40 min of track time - but only in two separate 15 min sessions based on my at track experience with my 2020 Taycan Turbo

also my instructor this summer at nurburgring w/Porsche who is a 9 year veteran mechanical engineer (he was lead engineer on RWS for 991.x GT3) was commenting it was super super hard to tease a lap out of the Taycan at the ring - they had a lot of difficulties getting the Taycan's ring lap…several aborted attempts due to issues with the battery…and it's still tricky today due to thermal loads.

Yes. Better batteries and lighter weight before aero bits . . .

 

[TaycanHero]

Obviously those types of things on pilot vehicles for testing.

You might find @gusone was being sarcastic ?

It always humours me that American's don't understand British sarcasm.

 

[daveo4EV]

this aero kit will make Porsche sooooooo much money - and I for one am here for it

anything that funds continued development is ok by me regardless of it's level of functionality or actual intended use…

let's not forget everyone - Porsche is the most _PROFITABLE_ car maker in the world…

what I'm seeing is a very high margin aero-kit option for People that want to look fast while stopping more frequently at various fast charging locations…

if it keeps Porsche in business - more power to them.

 

[bsclywilly]

Yes. Better batteries and lighter weight before aero bits . . .

The batteries are coming, just not fast enough. Doesn’t mean the other mods can’t be additive.

Interesting excerpt from Porsche’s joint venture with Cellforce talks specifically about increased power density, thermal, and a track/ performance focussed chemistry.

possible to significantly boost the power density compared to current good series batteries. The battery can offer the same energy content with a smaller size. The new chemistry reduces the battery’s internal resistance. This allows it to absorb more energy during energy recuperation and at the same time it offers improved performance for fast charging. Another special feature of the Cellforce battery cell is the fact that it is better able to withstand high temperatures. These are all qualities that are highly valued in motorsport. In addition, use on the race track does not necessarily require the battery to function in sub-zero temperatures nor remain stable for years over many charging cycles – goals which have yet to be achieved with this new cell technology.

 

[Archimedes]

I guess I didn't make my point clearly enough. I know what an aero kit package is. For an EV at road legal speeds, you simply don't need that type of aero. You don't need the downforce and God knows you don't want to make your range decrease due to unnecessary aero bits. You don't even need them for ICE street cars, but at least with ICE cars you don't have to worry about range. It might make sense for something like a GT3RS that actually gets taken to the track, but most owners I imagine will not even take them to the track, which means they are just there to flex . . . And of course Porsche knows this, but it's in the business of selling cars so it is willing to put things on cars that don't make logical sense to get those who care about flexing to pay more money for it. Indeed, that likely explains launch control and several other features. That still doesn't mean it makes sense from a driving perspective.

Same here, you should email Porsche R&D and educate them on this stuff. It appears that their experience with aerodynamics and design is leading them down the wrong path.

 

[XLR82XS]

You might find @gusone was being sarcastic ?

It always humours me that American's don't understand British sarcasm.

"that car is a mess" is what got me as possibly serious.

 

[gusone]

With the addition of the rear wing they also need to address the lack of front grip. Not sure if it’s a Porsche thing or specific to Taycan but this car understeers too much. More front tire, larger splitter and /or underbody shaping could make use of the rear wing interaction to move the aero balance forward.

Is that also an issue for the RWD?

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