Porsche sets Guinness World Record for longest continuous drift on ice
Porsche has secured a new Guinness World Record for an electric vehicle’s longest continuous vehicle drift on ice and behind the wheel of a Taycan GTS, Porsche Experience instructor Jens Richter completed 132 laps in a controlled oversteer, covering 17.503 kilometers in 46 minutes.
The record attempt occurred on January 14, 2025, at the Porsche Arctic Center in Levi, Finland, approximately 150 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. An official Guinness World Records adjudicator oversaw the event.
Photo: Porsche
Difficult conditions initially forced an early stop. “Under the extreme continuous load of the drifting Taycan, the ice track deteriorated faster than expected,” said Richter. The first attempt ended after about 11 kilometers. For the second attempt, the team adjusted by using shorter spikes and waiting for colder temperatures. The Taycan GTS successfully maintained a controlled drift for the entire record-breaking distance.
Photo: Porsche
The previous record stood at 14.809 kilometers. With the Taycan GTS, Richter significantly exceeded this, showcasing the vehicle’s stability and control. “With our new Guinness World Record title on ice, the Taycan has once again proven its sideways driving qualities,” said Richter. “The fact that it remains so controllable even under extreme conditions speaks volumes about its chassis and performance.”
Photo: Porsche
The record was set on a 59-meter-diameter drift circle. The Taycan GTS was fitted with commercially available Michelin tires featuring one-millimeter spikes. A professional GPS measuring device tracked the route, recording precise distance data and the driver’s inputs, including steering, throttle, braking, and G-forces.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Carl Saville presented the official record certificate to Jens Richter and Christian Lehwald, Managing Director of the Porsche Arctic Center. “At Porsche, we always seek unique challenges,” said Lehwald. “With the Taycan GTS, we knew we had a strong contender for this record.”
Photo: Porsche
This achievement marks the fourth Guinness World Record for the Taycan. Previous records include:
2023: Greatest altitude change by an electric car, achieved by the Taycan Cross Turismo along the Xinjiang-Tibet route (5,573 meters).
2021: Fastest speed driven inside an enclosed building (165.1 km/h) by racing driver Leh Keen in a Taycan.
2020: Longest continuous drift by an electric vehicle (42.171 kilometers in 55 minutes) at the Porsche Experience Center, Hockenheimring.
Related: Porsche unveils production-ready Taycan Turbo GT with a new lap record
Photo: Porsche
The record attempt was part of the Porsche Ice Experience, an advanced driving program held in Finnish Lapland since 1996 and in Levi since 2014. Over 1,500 participants refine their vehicle control on snow and ice tracks yearly. The Arctic Center spans 300,000 square meters and features training levels ranging from beginner to advanced.
For the 2025 season, track designer Hermann Tilke has renovated and expanded the course, enhancing the experience for future participants.
