The Porsche Taycan has added another Guinness World Records title to its collection, this time for the longest continuous vehicle drift on ice by an electric vehicle. Porsche Experience instructor Jens Richter piloted a Taycan GTS around a 59-meter diameter circle on an ice track in Levi, Finland, completing 132 laps and drifting a total of 17.503 kilometers in 46 minutes. This feat surpasses the previous record of 14.809 kilometers.
Record-Breaking Performance in Extreme Conditions
The record attempt, which took place on January 14, 2025, faced challenging conditions. “Under the extreme continuous load of the drifting Taycan, the ice track deteriorated faster than expected,” Richter explained. An initial attempt was aborted after 11 kilometers, but the team adjusted their strategy, switching to shorter spikes on the Michelin tires and taking advantage of cooler evening temperatures. The second attempt proved successful, with Richter maintaining a controlled drift using only throttle and steering.
Taycan’s Handling Prowess
“With our new Guinness World Records title on ice, the Taycan has once again proven its sideways driving qualities,” said Richter. “And this time even with all-wheel drive. The fact that the Taycan GTS can be controlled so well even under extreme conditions speaks volumes for its excellent chassis and balanced performance.”
Official Adjudication and Record Certification
The record attempt was overseen by Carl Saville, an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records. Following the successful drift, Saville presented the record certificate to Richter and Christian Lehwald, Managing Director of the Porsche Arctic Center and Head of Porsche Experience and New Platforms at Porsche AG.
Porsche Experience and the Arctic Center
The drift took place at the Porsche Arctic Center in Levi, Finland, approximately 150 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The Porsche Experience program offers unique driving experiences, including ice driving, and has been operating in Lapland since 1996. The Levi center, which opened in 2014, provides ideal conditions for winter driving training. For the 2025 season, the track was redesigned and expanded by Hermann Tilke, a renowned Formula 1 track designer.
Taycan’s Growing Record Collection
This latest achievement marks the fourth Guinness World Records title for the Porsche Taycan. Other records include:
- Greatest altitude change by an electric car (5,573 meters) with the Taycan Cross Turismo in 2023.
- Fastest speed driven by a vehicle in an enclosed building (165.1 km/h) achieved by Leh Keen in a Taycan in 2021.
- Longest continuous drift by an electric car (42.171 kilometers) on a closed track in a Taycan in 2020.
Key Details of the Record Drift:
- Vehicle: Porsche Taycan GTS
- Driver: Jens Richter
- Distance: 17.503 kilometers
- Laps: 132
- Time: 46 minutes
- Circle Diameter: 59 meters
- Location: Porsche Arctic Center, Levi, Finland
- Tires: Michelin tires with 1-millimeter spikes
Source: Porsche
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
