As if in response to claims that Porsche’s electric Taycan sportscar unveiled this week is death to Tesla, the California electric carmaker’s CEO and founder Elon Musk has announced that the Model S will face the infamous Nürburgring track next week.
Porsche has been flexing some serious muscle in the lead up to its flagship electric vehicle launch, including a number of stunts such as the Goodwood hillclimb and 26 full throttle launches.
The least of these was unarguably its recording setting 7:42 lap on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (which is also nicknamed “Green Hell”).
Now, the Tesla founder seems intent on proving that his seminal and groundbreaking Model S electric sedan – which in Europe costs a good 100,000 euros less than Porsche’s top-of-the-line Taycan Turbo S – can beat the German carmaker on its homeground.
Model S on Nürburgring next week
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 5, 2019
It won’t be the first time a Tesla has been put through its paces at Green Hell, but to our knowledge it is the first time the carmaker intends to do it in official capacity.
Will the Model S have a chance against the Taycan? Let’s look at the specifics – or rather, the specifications.
Let’s assume Musk puts the AWD Performance Model S to the test – that’s 600Nm of torque from the rear axle and 330Nm torque from the rear, 568kW combined power from its two electric motors, top speed of 260km/hr and acceleration from 0-100km/hr in 2.6 seconds. And let’s not forget Ludicrous mode.
The Taycan Turbo S, on the other hand, delivers 774 lb-ft of torque (or rather, 1050Nm in metric), 750kW power using “launch control”, and matches the Model S with a top speed of 260km/hr and acceleration from 0-100/km/hr in 2.6 seconds.
It will truly be a nail-biting lap to watch, there is no doubt there.
There’s no doubt that Musk is taking on the Nürburgring with the Model S to thumb his nose at Porsche.
The EV pioneer also issued a rebuke to the German carmaker over its choice to call its two Taycan variants the Turbo and the Turbo S, pointing out that “turbo” is a term specifically used for devices that boost the power of internal combustion engines.
Um @Porsche, this word Turbo does not mean what you think it does
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 5, 2019
So, keep your eyes peeled to find out the results of Tesla’s challenge to Porsche at Nürburgring – which we are sure by no coincidence is also be the same week as what promises to be a big week for electric vehicles in Germany as the Frankfurt Motor Show cranks up for its 122nd year.
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Nordschleife means “Green Hell”.
Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology, and has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability.
