Porsche Taycan facelift could be faster than the Tesla Model S Plaid

The Porsche Taycan is far from the slowest EV on sale – even the base model can reach 62mph in less time than a petrol hot hatchback – but with a growing number of equally fast rivals like the Lotus Emeya, Lucid Air and Tesla Model S Plaid, Stuttgart has decided it’s now time to give its first-and-only EV an update.

Spotted testing on the Nurburgring race track, the facelifted Porsche Taycan will retain the current line-up of models which ranges from the base Taycan, all the way up to the supercar-rivalling Turbo S. However, there will also be a new range-topper in the form of a triple-motor, track-focused model which has the potential to produce up to – or even more than – 1,000bhp and topple the Model S Plaid’s title as the UK’s fastest electric car.

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This variant, expected to be badged ‘Turbo GT’, will look much more extreme than the standard model, which is also set to get a mildly revised exterior. You’ll be able to distinguish top-of-the-line Taycans from more plebeian models thanks to their enormous rear spoilers, as well as the aerodynamic trim pieces lining the bumpers and side skirts.

All of these upgrades, alongside a tweaked suspension setup, the potential of a rear seat delete and the installation of a roll cage, would make the Taycan Turbo GT one of the most extreme EVs you can buy.

We expect the rest of the line-up to get more modest upgrades; base models will likely retain a 79kWh battery pack, with mid- and top-of-the-range cars getting a larger 93kWh unit. Recent software and efficiency tweaks saw almost the entirety of the Taycan line-up get a small boost in range – the Taycan 4S model went from a maximum of 288 miles to 318 miles. Tweaks to the exterior, plus even more under-the-metal upgrades could make the Taycan even more efficient, possibly boosting range closer to the 350-mile mark.

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On the inside, we expect things to stay largely the same; the Taycan already boasts a slick 16.8-inch curved digital instrument cluster and a pretty responsive 10.9-inch central touchscreen that sits above a set of digitised climate controls. Software tweaks could add even more functionality and improve response times, while it’s not unlikely the number of interior customisation options could expand even further.

Given we’re already seeing the facelifted Taycan testing with very little camouflage, it’s likely we’ll get a full reveal very soon. Due to go on sale in 2024, you can expect – in true Porsche fashion – the new car to be slightly more expensive than the outgoing model which starts from just under £80,000.