The Porsche Taycan has claimed another milestone in the automotive world by setting a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous vehicle drift on ice by an electric vehicle. On January 14, 2025, in the frigid conditions of Finnish Lapland, Porsche Experience instructor Jens Richter piloted the Taycan GTS to an astounding nonstop drift of 17.503 kilometers.
A Challenging Record Attempt
The record-setting event took place at the Porsche Arctic Center in Levi, Finland, approximately 150 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The conditions were anything but easy. Jens Richter and the Porsche Experience team faced significant challenges during the attempt, including a rapidly deteriorating ice track.
“Under the extreme continuous load of the drifting Taycan, the ice track deteriorated faster than expected,” Richter explained. The team’s first attempt was cut short after 11 kilometers. However, as temperatures dropped and the ice hardened, they made adjustments by switching to shorter spikes on the Michelin tires. These changes proved to be the key to success.
Richter completed 132 laps on a 59-meter-diameter drift circle, maintaining controlled oversteer for 46 minutes using only throttle and steering inputs. This remarkable performance broke the previous record of 14.809 kilometers, setting a new benchmark of 17.503 kilometers.
The Record-Breaking Setup
For the attempt, the Taycan GTS was equipped with commercially available Michelin tires featuring one-millimeter spikes. The vehicle’s precise handling was further enhanced by its excellent chassis and balanced performance, qualities highlighted by Richter during the event.
An official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, Carl Saville, was present to verify the attempt. The record was meticulously documented using a professional GPS measuring device, which recorded the distance, steering inputs, throttle usage, and G-forces acting on the vehicle.
A Fourth Guinness World Record for the Taycan
This achievement marks the fourth Guinness World Record for the Porsche Taycan. Previous records include:
- 2023: The Taycan Cross Turismo achieved the greatest altitude change by an electric car, covering 5,573 meters along the Xinjiang-Tibet route.
- 2021: In New Orleans, Louisiana, a Taycan reached 165.1 km/h in an enclosed building, setting the record for the fastest speed driven indoors.
- 2020: At the Porsche Experience Center Hockenheimring, the Taycan completed 210 laps in a 42.171-kilometer drift, setting the record for the longest drift by an electric vehicle on dry surfaces.
The Porsche Arctic Center
The Porsche Arctic Center, established in Levi in 2014, is the hub for the brand’s renowned Ice Experience program. The facility spans 300,000 square meters and offers various training levels for driving on snow and ice: Discover, Learn, Boost, and Race. The track, recently renovated by Formula 1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke, provides ideal conditions for pushing vehicles to their limits.
Pushing Boundaries
Christian Lehwald, Managing Director of the Porsche Arctic Center, emphasized the significance of the record: “With our new Guinness World Records title on ice, the Taycan has once again proven its sideways driving qualities. The fact that the Taycan GTS can be controlled so well even under extreme conditions speaks volumes for its excellent chassis and balanced performance.”
The record solidifies the Porsche Taycan’s position as a leader in electric vehicle performance, blending innovation, engineering, and thrilling driving experiences. As Porsche continues to push boundaries, enthusiasts can only wonder what groundbreaking achievement comes next.
