Porsche’s Taycan GTS Rewrites the Rules of Electric Performance with Arctic Ice Drift
In the frozen wilderness of Levi, Finland—93 miles north of the Arctic Circle—Porsche’s Taycan GTS just turned ice into its playground. On January 14, 2025, factory driver Jens Richter piloted the electric sedan through a 17.5-kilometer (10.8-mile) drift, etching its name into the Guinness World Records as the longest continuous ice drift by an EV. This wasn’t just a stunt; it was a masterclass in engineering, traction, and sheer driver grit.
The Setup: Ice, Spikes, and Relentless Cold
The Taycan GTS faced a 59-meter-wide ice circle at Porsche’s Arctic Center, where temperatures plunged to -22°F. Porsche fitted the car with Michelin Pilot Alpin tires studded with 1mm spikes—the only modification from its stock configuration. “The ice deteriorated faster than we anticipated,” Richter admitted after aborting an initial 11-kilometer attempt. But as nightfall deepened the freeze, the team regrouped.
Richter’s second run was flawless: 46 minutes of controlled oversteer, no brakes, just throttle modulation and steering finesse. GPS data confirmed an average speed of 22.5 mph, with lateral forces peaking at 0.8 g. Guinness adjudicator Carl Saville validated the feat, noting the Taycan’s chassis balance and dual-motor all-wheel-drive system never missed a beat.
Why This Matters for EVs
Porsche’s ice drift isn’t just about bragging rights. It underscores the Taycan’s thermal management prowess—critical for EVs under extreme loads. The GTS’s 590-hp powertrain and rear-biased torque vectoring maintained consistency even as the battery and motors faced subzero stress. “The Taycan’s precision translates to any surface,” Richter said, referencing its 2022 dry-pavement drift record of 26.2 miles.
This marks the Taycan’s fourth Guinness title, joining accolades like the Pikes Peak altitude record and a 103-mph sprint inside a Dubai skyscraper. For Porsche, it’s a strategic flex: electric performance isn’t confined to drag strips or Autobahn blasts.
The Bigger Picture
While rivals chase quarter-mile times, Porsche leans into versatility. The Taycan GTS, already a Car and Driver 10Best winner, now adds “ice conqueror” to its résumé. With no mechanical tweaks beyond tires, the achievement highlights how Porsche’s electric platform thrives where combustion cars falter—instant torque delivery, weight distribution, and regenerative braking stability.
As Richter quipped post-drift: “Electric cars don’t just whisper. They howl sideways.”
FAQs:
- What modifications were made to the Taycan GTS for the ice drift?
Only Michelin tires with 1mm spikes were added; the powertrain, chassis, and software remained stock. - How does drifting an EV differ from a combustion car?
Instant electric torque allows precise throttle control, while regenerative braking aids stability during transitions. - Why choose Finland’s Arctic Center for the attempt?
Extreme cold ensures consistent ice, and Porsche’s facility offers controlled conditions for high-stakes testing. - What records does the Taycan currently hold?
Four Guinness titles: ice drift (17.5km), dry drift (42.17km), altitude gain (Pikes Peak), and indoor speed (103 mph). - Is the Taycan GTS capable of off-track daily driving?
Absolutely—it retains Porsche’s luxury and 238-mile EPA range, proving performance and practicality aren’t mutually exclusive.
