Porsche Taycan Turbo GT vs Electric Plane: Who Wins the Race?
Racing legends Richard Hammond and James May are back, this time in a high-voltage face-off between road and sky. Swapping gasoline for gigawatts, the duo reimagined a classic format by pitting the jaw-dropping Porsche Taycan Turbo GT against the lightweight Pipistrel Velis Electro, one of the world’s first commercially available electric aircraft. This electrified showdown plays out across the scenic southern countryside of England and brings serious power, precision, and personality into focus. As your trusted team at Porsche of Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO, we couldn’t be more excited to dive into how this thrilling matchup unfolded and how the Taycan Turbo GT stole the spotlight.
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A Race Born from History
Almost 20 years after racing a Bugatti Veyron against a Cessna from Italy to London, Hammond and May have updated their classic competition for the electric era. In this rematch, May piloted the Pipistrel while Hammond took command of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, aiming to conquer 108 miles from Henstridge Airfield to Dunsfold Aerodrome, home of the famous test track.
While May could fly in a straight line over roughly 80 miles, he had to contend with one crucial limitation: a 50-minute flight time. That meant a mid-air stop and a charge at Thruxton Aerodrome. Meanwhile, Hammond would navigate highways and traffic and post speed limits without stopping or recharging. Even if he did, a quick 18-minute DC fast charge would have brought the Taycan back to 80% capacity thanks to its blistering 320 kW peak charging rate.
The Taycan Takes off on Land
Starting from the runway, Hammond wasted no time showing off the Taycan Turbo GT car’s electric muscle. With 1,019 horsepower and 914 lb-ft of torque, the Taycan delivers 0 to 60 mph in a face-melting 2.1 seconds, quicker than even the iconic Veyron from its original race. The combination of Launch Control with Overboost gives this all-electric performance machine the acceleration typically reserved for hypercars.
But it’s not just about straight-line speed. The Taycan Turbo GT features Porsche Active Ride, a next-gen chassis system that delivers razor-sharp dynamics and a cloud-like ride. It can even “lean” into corners and independently adjust damping forces at each wheel. Viewers of the race could see the tech in action as the car glided over rough roads while the tires stayed planted like glue.
High-Speed Drama to the Finish Line
Despite Hammond’s detours and construction zones, the Taycan Turbo GT remained a strong contender. He even took a moment to search the sky for May’s aircraft using the optional panoramic roof with Variable Light Control, which transitions from clear to opaque using a liquid-crystal layer. With traffic thinning out and the vehicle’s handling keeping momentum high, it became a nail-biter toward the final stretch.
May’s tailwind helped make up lost ground, but every minute counted. And with Hammond pushing the vehicle capabilities to the edge, the finish at Dunsfold was tighter than anyone expected.
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More Than Just a Race
What makes this electric duel remarkable is not just the outcome but what it symbolizes: how far electric performance has come. Nearly two decades ago, only multi-million-dollar hypercars could reach this output level. Today, Porsche delivers that same power wrapped in a vehicle ready for daily driving and backed by the spirit of racing.
Whether you crave straight-line thrills, track-capable handling, or long-distance comfort, the 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT delivers without compromise.
{Also Read: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Redefines Performance with New Electric Car Lap Record at Interlagos}
Ready to Experience It Yourself?
At Porsche of Colorado Springs, we invite you to discover what the Taycan Turbo GT can do in a race and your everyday journey. With cutting-edge technology, race-inspired engineering, and the unmistakable Porsche DNA, this electric performance icon is here to redefine what’s possible.
Explore our current inventory or contact us to schedule a test drive today. Who knows? You might just feel ready to challenge yourself to the skies.