The Porsche against the Tesla against green hell in Germany

(Bloomberg) – There was a derision at first. Then the mockery is turned into admiration. Now, a battle is taking place between two of the most respected names in the automotive world, Porsche and Tesla Inc., on one of the world's toughest circuits.

The two manufacturers compete for the right to boast electric vehicles on the Nürburgring in Germany, a circuit of 73 sharp turns (Silverstone in the UK has 18), varying altitudes and a brutal length of more than 20 kilometers winding through a lush forest, earned him the nickname "green hell".

This is where Porsche's new Taycan Turbo S set the record for the fastest four-door electric car of the past month, with a record time of 7 minutes and 42 seconds. The feat was not lost for a rival sitting thousands of miles from California: Tesla's president, Elon Musk. Musk has always risen to the challenge and sent a Model S into the German hinterland to claim his bragging rights as the king of the electric sedan.

"We welcome competition, it helps you improve gradually. But of course, you still have to compare apples to apples, "Porsche AG President and CEO Oliver Blume told a Bloomberg debate on Friday at a debate around the company's auto show. Frankfurt.

The epic battle between the outgoing president and the future runner was steeped in social media that stimulated the most dedicated fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Former Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg also added to the frenzy. He announced on Twitter his intention to fly the Tesla. Musk happily accepted a response on Twitter, but it's unclear who will be driving.

Porsche's Blume said Tesla had chosen another driver "who knows the Nurburgring well," but he declined to give a name.

Musk has a lot of challenges to take up. After Porsche introduced its first electric cars the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S last week, it teased the mark for its nomenclature: a turbocharger is found only in a combustion engine. After the start of the discussions, he found more charitable words in a later tweet, recognizing that the Taycan "seemed like a good car" and that the length of his Nürburgring run was "fantastic".

Mr. Blume said Friday that the respect was mutual, but was careful to note that the Taycan record was obtained with a production car manufactured directly from the assembly line and can be purchased by customers. Tesla, on the other hand, has been working for almost two weeks near the track to modify a Model S for race purposes in order to get the fastest time possible, said the CEO of Porsche.

Although a standard version, the Model S can not beat Taycan's lap time, a modified racing version with a suspension and fitted brakes "could go in that direction," Blume said. "We have a lot of respect for Tesla. Elon Musk built this company from scratch. "

The stakes are also important for Volkswagen AG's luxury sports car unit, which has seen Tesla turn into a real alternative for customers looking for a high-performance car yet endowed with the best in class. an electric powertrain, an open flank that the Stuttgart-based manufacturer is now hoping to protect with the Taycan.

Musk announced on Sept. 6 that a Model S would make an appearance on the circuit next week. Indeed, a modified Model S was spotted in test on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, according to Car and Driver, who appeared to show the car on the track as part of a general driving session open to others. The model sported flared fenders and an enlarged opening at the front, probably for extra cooling.

When exactly the car could attempt to break the Taycan record remains shrouded in mystery. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on his projects. A spokesman for the Nürburgring said that Tesla had not officially reserved exclusive time with the track.

The Tesla-Porsche competition may be a marketing show, but it still helps to draw attention to electric vehicles, said Gene Munster, managing partner of venture capital firm Wolf Ventures and Tesla's bull. long time. Munster predicted that Tesla would race with an improved version of the Model S at the Nurburgring, and that he would beat Taycan's Porsche record.

"Elon would not win on the track if they did not think they would win," said Munster in a phone interview. "He's fiercely competitive and loves to stick with traditional builders. It's his hobby. He feels confident. "

The story continues