The Porsche Taycan is off to a great start. The German automaker’s new all-electric vehicle, which is expected to be in showrooms by the end of the year, has set a new record at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife by circling the iconic German circuit in 7 minutes and 42 seconds, thereby claiming the “fastest four-door, all-electric sports cars” record.

The Taycan’s lap time is only four seconds slower than the Panamera Turbo, which rounded the Green Hell in 7 minutes and 38 seconds in June 2016. The Porsche was driven by test pilot Lars Kern. The automaker also holds the Nürburgring record with the 919 Hybrid Evo, a race car purposely adapted for the track. A year ago, Porsche driver Timo Bernhard completed the circuit in an amazing 5 minutes and 19.55 seconds.

According to Kern, “The Taycan is also suitable for racetracks and it convincingly proved that here on the world’s most challenging circuit. Again and again, I am impressed at how stable the all-electric sports car handles in high-speed sections, such as Kesselchen, and how neutrally it accelerates from tight sections, such as Adenauer Forst.”

The Taycan used at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife was a range-topping model with dual electric motors, one per axle. The vehicle, which rode on 21-inch wheels, is equipped with all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering with 600 horsepower. The Taycan features Porsche 4D-Chassis Control, which analyzes and synchronizes in real-time the car’s electric chassis systems, including the adaptive air suspension and electromechanical roll stabilization. The settings are enhanced when Sport Plus mode is turned on.

The new Porsche EV shares the same basic platform as the 2020 Audi e-Tron GT, however, each car is unique. Both use an 800-volt electrical system that affords advanced fast-charging capability, which according to the automaker will allow the Taycan to add 250 miles of driving range in just 15 minutes. The vehicle has a 96.0-kWh battery pack and an estimated range of more than 300 miles, and the automaker estimates it will go from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds.

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The Taycan will make its first official appearance on September 4 during three live-streamed events that will take place simultaneously in Germany, China, and Canada. Afterward, the new Porsche EV will debut at 2019 IAA in Frankfurt.