The Porsche Taycan has set yet another world record – this time an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s longest drift with an electric vehicle, setting a total continuous drift distance of 42.171 kilometres over 55 minutes.
For context, that’s over 210 laps around the 200 metre-long skid pad at the Porsche Experience Centre in Hockenheimring, with driver and Porsche instructor Dennis Retera maintaining an average speed of 46 km/h in opposite lock.
There were no previous records to beat except for the one set by renowned automotive journalist and Top Gear host Chris Harris who managed 19 continuous laps right before this attempt, but Retera was still determined to set a high bar, and only stopped after the battery in the car has run out.
Drifting on a wet surface may seem like a bit of a cop-out, but it’s important to note that the use of these irrigation systems for drift records is nothing new. While it does make drifting slightly easier thanks to the lowered traction, Retera said that it was still “very tiring” to keep his concentration high for 210 laps, as the wet asphalt does not provide the same grip everywhere on the skid pad.
“I concentrated on controlling the drift with the steering – this is more efficient than using the accelerator pedal and reduces the risk of spinning,” Retera added.
To comply with the Guinness World Records, every single aspect of the attempt was meticulously measured documented. Before the test, a local land surveyor measured the 80-metre diameter area of the Porsche Experience Centre with millimetre precision. GPS and yaw rate sensors were fitted into the car, while a camera was also installed on the roof of the track’s control tower to film the entirety of the run.
Independent experts were also present to ensure that the record attempt was done according to spec. They include “European Drift Queen” Denise Ritzmann, who oversaw the standard and roadworthy condition of the Porsche Taycan used in the attempt on behalf of testing organisation Dekra, as well as Guinness World Records official record judge Joanne Brent who was at hand to supervise and count the laps.
It should be noted that the Porsche Taycan used in the record was a pre-production unit the rear-wheel drive-only variant, which is currently only available for sale in China. With one less motor on the front axle, the 2WD Taycan is still good for 408 hp with the standard-specification 79.2kWh battery – but can be upgraded to 476 hp with the 93.4kWh Performance Battery Plus.
With a huge reduction in raw power output even when compared to the current “entry-level” Porsche Taycan 4S, the 2WD Taycan manages a 0-100 km/h time in the region of 5.4 seconds, compared to the 4.0 seconds of the 4S. Of course, it will be quite a bit cheaper – around 20% less than the price of a 4S in China – and allows you to do silly drifts like this.
GALLERY
