Image credits: PistonHeads.com
Porsche set a high-water mark in 2023 when the Taycan Turbo GT posted a 7:07.55 lap at the Nürburgring, shaving over 25 seconds off a previous Turbo S time of 7:33.35.That benchmark positioned Porsche at the top of EV performance leaderboards — until April 2025, when Xiaomi's prototype SU7 Ultra, driven by Vincent Radermecker, recorded a 7:04.957.
Records at the Nordschleife carry outsized marketing value and engineering credibility. For Porsche, losing the EV accolade to a tech firm underscores the rapid escalation in electric performance and demands an emphatic response.
What we saw: the Taycan Turbo GT4 RS prototype
Multiple spy photos and on-track sightings show a heavily modified Taycan that insiders are referring to as the Taycan Turbo GT4 RS. The car presents radical aerodynamic hardware: a surfboard-style rear wing with large endplates, carbon-fibre front wings, aggressive canards, and a diffuser that looks more prototype than production.
Widened arches, a deep splitter integrated into the grille, and flics reminiscent of Porsche's WEC 911s complete the visual package. Two development cars — described in reports as a grey and a purple example — were observed during evening test sessions with Lars Kern at the wheel, the driver Porsche typically trusts for record attempts.
On-track signs show genuine record attempts
One notable detail: the grey car suffered diffuser damage during a hot lap. That kind of wear suggests the session was not routine durability testing but an aggressive, performance-focused run pushed to the edge. The purple car reportedly completed its runs undamaged and posted quicker times.
Image credits: PistonHeads.com
Those observations, combined with Porsche deploying Kern, indicate Stuttgart's intention to mount a credible, timed challenge rather than mere demonstration laps.Power, figures, and the EV arms race
The current Taycan Turbo GT already produces enormous peak output: a brief 1,108 hp peak for two seconds, 1,034 hp available in Launch Control, and 952 hp in Attack Mode. Xiaomi's SU7 Ultra, by comparison, has been quoted at about 1,548 hp — a substantial advantage on outright power alone.
Given the performance gulf, Porsche is widely expected to increase the Taycan's output or refine its power delivery and thermal management to extract faster, more consistent laps. One onlooker called the prototype a "rocket," a description that aligns with the radical aero and brake hardware visible in spy imagery.
- 2023 Taycan Turbo GT Nürburgring time: 7:07.55
- Previous Taycan Turbo S time: 7:33.35
- Xiaomi SU7 Ultra (April 2025): 7:04.957
- Reported peak outputs: Taycan Turbo GT (up to 1,108 hp peak), Xiaomi SU7 Ultra (~1,548 hp)
- Driver observed for Porsche runs: Lars Kern
Could Porsche break the seven-minute barrier?
With the right combination of power, aero, tyre choice, and weather, a sub-seven-minute EV lap is possible and would be a significant landmark for Porsche. The calendar is a constraint: favourable track conditions become scarce as winter approaches, so any official attempt would likely be scheduled before the weather window closes.
A successful run would restore Porsche's headline-grabbing claim to EV supremacy and buy the company months of marketing leverage while rivals continue development. Conversely, failure would underline how quickly the electric supercar landscape is accelerating.
What to watch next
Expect further sightings, additional spy footage, and perhaps an official Porsche announcement if the team nails a timed run. Watch for upgraded battery cooling, revised inverter or motor tuning, and even more aggressive aero that sacrifices comfort for lap time.
For fans of Nordschleife onboard footage, this developing duel between Porsche and Xiaomi promises some of the most compelling EV onboard content of the year. As upcoming electric vehicles continue pushing performance boundaries, this record battle showcases the intense competition driving innovation in the supercar segment.
