Tesla out to beat Porsche Taycan Nurburgring lap

Tesla announced that this week it will prove its pure-electric Model S is faster around the fearsome Nurburgring Nordschleife than the new Porsche Taycan Turbo S.

Late last month, the German car-maker revealed it had set a new lap record at the 21km road circuit for a battery-powered four-door when the Porsche Taycan Turbo S posted a 7:42 'Ring lap time.

But that record is about to be beaten according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who late last week announced to the world via his favourite medium that the Model S would set a quicker time.

There's just one problem.

According to officials who run the world's fastest toll road, the US car-maker has failed to book track time at the Nurburgring.

Worse still, according to

Despite the seemingly poor planning, a modified Tesla Model S -- complete with stickier Michelin tyres and extra aero elements -- wasspotted 'Ring-side on Saturday in the lead-up to the attempt.

Unlike high-performance petrol or diesel powered sedans or sports cars, over the mountainous 20.6km course thermal management and electrical energy use are two additional challenges that face engineers attempting an electric car record.

In the past some Tesla owners who have ventured onto the racetrack have experienced reduced power due to overheating batteries, although those issues are now thought to be largely resolved.

It's unclear how Tesla might have modified its Model S for the attempt but it's thought the record-setter will provide the basis for a big mid-life update for the large electric sedan.

In its favour, the Model S P100D sedan with Ludicrous mode offers fractionally better acceleration to 60mph or 97km/h (2.4 seconds) compared to the top-shelf Porsche Taycan Turbo S (0-100km/h in 2.8sec).

Some have pointed out that the weather could also ruin any attempt with sporadic rain occasionally hitting parts of the track, even on days where only sun is forecast.