The GT4 ePerformance showcases how electric vehicle technology is rapidly evolving. Arguably the vast majority of EVs are as shapely as a polished brick, however there are a few exceptions, such as the mind-blowing Porsche Mission R concept.
Formula E has pioneered the competitive electric vehicle racing scene, but adding to the expanding landscape is the new Porsche GT4 ePerformance electric race car, the latest evolution of the Porsche racing stable.
Porsche GT racing vehicle project manager Matthias Scholz commented “With the Mission R, we’ve shown how Porsche envisages sustainable customer motor racing in the future. The 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance now demonstrates that this vision works impressively on the racetrack.”
The ePerformance is based on the GT4 chassis like the Mission R concept. Porsche has collaborated with multiple specialists in fields such as aerodynamics and thermodynamics, as well as bodywork specialists to develop an electric vehicle that is on par with the 992 911 GT3 Cup cars in terms of speed and lap times. The result of this all-hands-on-deck approach leads to the development of high-end electric motor and battery technology that produces a maximum output of 734 kW. The GT4 ePerformance uses an all-wheel-drive system that benefits from the addition of the Permanently Excited Synchronous Machine (PESM) hardware
“The development team created an architecture to tap the full potential of the battery cells for the first time, since there is no thermal derating. In this way, the power output in racing mode remains constant for half an hour” says GT4 ePerformance project manager Björn Förster.
The car is 14 cm wider than the Cayman GT4 Clubsport and features over 6 000 unique parts, built from scratch. With carbon neutrality in mind, as well as a focus on lessening the impact that these cars have on the environment, the body is composed of natural fibres, recycled carbon fibre, and other composites. Porsche promises that by 2030, 80% of its new car fleet will feature an all-electric drive platform.
