Porsche Taycan Turbo S takes on its petrol-powered rivals

The Porsche Taycan is an electric sports sedan coming to Australia in 2020

We already know that electric cars are quick in a straight line. But can they really compete with the best sports sedans in the world on a racetrack?

German publication AutoBildSportsCars decided to find out, setting the all-new Porsche Taycan Turbo S against the internal-combustion-powered BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competition in a hot lap showdown at Germany’s Lausitzring circuit.

Despite their very obvious differences, on paper the two cars are closely matched. The range-topping Taycan Turbo S makes a maximum output of 560kW of power and 1050Nm of torque from its electric motors. The M8 Gran Coupe Competition’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 pumps out 460kW and 750Nm.

While you can watch the video below to see how each lap unfolded in the end the Taycan managed a lap time of 1:32.76secs, which beat the Beemer – just. The M8 managed its lap in 1:32.96secs, despite its power and torque disadvantage it proves the extra weight of the batteries (the BMW weights 2055kg vs 2370kg for the Taycan) is still a challenge for EVs to overcome.

And, for the record, the fastest four-door AutoBildSportsCars has tested at the same circuit actually beats the Porsche; the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S lapped Lausitzring in 1m:32.32secs.

Check out the video below: