The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid just made history, and it didn’t do it alone. Alongside the mighty Cayenne Turbo GT, both performance machines tore through Road Atlanta with record-setting times that speak volumes about Porsche’s powertrain range.
In a display of sheer engineering precision, Porsche brought its top-tier plug-in hybrid sedan and ultimate performance SUV to one of America’s most demanding tracks. Behind the wheel, Porsche brand ambassador Patrick Long showed that innovation and tradition still drive Porsche forward.
Cayenne Turbo GT Sets the SUV Standard
The Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t your typical utility vehicle. Though it seats five comfortably, it’s tuned like a proper sports machine. Powered by a thunderous 650 hp twin-turbo V8, this SUV flies from corner to corner with surprising balance.
Thanks to unique suspension geometry, a center differential cooler, and sticky Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, Long was able to clock an astonishing lap time of 1:34.38. That makes it the fastest SUV to ever lap Road Atlanta.
This performance benchmark doesn’t just speak to raw numbers, it highlights how well Porsche blends practicality and driving excitement in one powerful package.
Hybrid Power Redefined in the Panamera
While the Cayenne delivered SUV brilliance, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid shattered expectations for electrified sedans. Fusing a 771 hp hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbo V8, the Panamera set a new lap time of 1:30.98.
Its advanced Active Ride suspension keeps the car planted and poised through every turn. Combine that with carbon ceramic brakes and race-spec Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and you get a hybrid that’s comfortable yet fierce.
Long noted how seamlessly the system blends regen, boost, and traditional acceleration. The result? Instant response with the balance to dance around high-speed corners.
Building on Porsche’s Racing Hybrid Legacy
This lap record isn’t Porsche’s first hybrid milestone at Road Atlanta. Back in 2010, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid debuted at the same track during Petit Le Mans. That experimental racer helped pave the way for cars like the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
The lessons learned in motorsport continue to shape Porsche’s future on the road. Torque vectoring, seamless electric transitions, and energy recovery all stem from that original track program.
Consistency Across All Powertrains
With the Taycan Turbo GT already setting a production EV lap record earlier this month, Porsche now holds benchmark times at Road Atlanta for electric, hybrid, and combustion-powered vehicles.
Each one wears the same badge, but they represent different visions of performance. Whether it’s a thundering V8, electrified hybrid punch, or silent EV torque, Porsche proves that performance isn’t limited by fuel type.
Summary
From the hybrid sophistication of the Panamera to the brute force of the Cayenne, Porsche continues pushing limits at Road Atlanta. These lap records aren’t just stats, they’re statements of purpose, proving that the soul of performance beats strong in every Porsche, no matter the powertrain.
Disclaimer: Lap times based on closed-course professional testing with stock vehicles under specific conditions.
