After completing an incredible 2,783-kilometer drive from the lowest natural point in China to the summit of one of the highest national highways in the world, the Porsche Taycan has set a new Guinness World Record. The 10-day challenge culminated with the successful ascent of Hongtu Daban, which is located at a height of 5,355.134 metres above sea level. It began in Ayding Lake, at a height of minus 218.845 metres.

The Xinjiang-Tibet route passes through arid regions that test one's capacity for survival, with harsh weather combined with challenging road and terrain conditions. This amazing road trip thoroughly illustrated the Taycan Cross Turismo's off-road capability, long-distance comfort, and strong reliability despite several predictable and unpredictable risks along the way. Porsche's 800 V architecture's charging effectiveness was also demonstrated under the most trying circumstances.

One of the goals of the epic electric journey was to encourage drivers to consider "better road trips" with more immersive experiences, more untamed wildness, more memories, and zero-emission driving, in addition to serving as an intense challenge. It was also an opportunity to demonstrate how, as the globe evolves towards an increasingly electric and sustainable future, the opportunities for environmentally friendly transportation and sports car ownership will grow.

Dramatic variations in temperature, air pressure, geological conditions, and other surprises from nature were brought on by the record-breaking altitude change of 5,573.979 m. The two Taycan 4 Cross Turismo sports cars that set out on the tour were able to take on every hurdle thanks to their outstanding versatility. From 70°C surface temperatures to freezing, frozen roads, from crowded cities to a 5,000-meter no-man's zone, this incredible excursion gave the team experience after experience that was unlike anything else they had ever had.

The Tomur Grand Canyon, Tarim Poplar Forest, Sansha Desert Highway, Dukou-Lunque Highway, and the G219 National Highway were just a few of the places on the route's roadmap that have captured the attention of countless off-road driving enthusiasts. There were also numerous other unmarked, perilous dirt and gravel roads that were strewn with potholes. The two Taycan Cross Turismo were able to move through the whirling sand and skittering stones thanks to the rapid and smooth responses of the cars' chassis systems and power units. Gravel Mode was waiting in the wings to demonstrate its prowess in these challenging conditions.

A actual range value on the display is more valuable than a figure that is merely high when travelling a distance. This was particularly evident on the plateau where the weather might suddenly change. In ten days, the automobiles journeyed through the entire year's four seasons. Real-time monitoring of the variables influencing internal and external power consumption gave the team a solid practical foundation on which to strategize and proceed with confidence to the following charging point.

The G219 highway's arduous, mountainous terrain is one factor contributing to its intimidating nature. Here, the Taycan Cross Turismo's two-speed gearbox excelled by ensuring that the motor stayed in an effective working range whether overtaking or driving constantly at high speeds, which had a favourable effect on energy usage. More significantly, the range gradually rose when the challenge team drove the cars through a pass with an elevation of more than 4,000 m, as the energy recovery—of up to 275 kW—came into play on the protracted descent, enabling the vehicles to drive further.

Along with physical difficulties, the Xinjiang–Tibet road also has unfavourable charging conditions. The many DC and AC charging stations along the route range in power from 120 kW to 22 kW. The Taycan Cross Turismo was able to charge at the maximum power output of these charging stations and function effectively during the so-called trickle charge time at a later stage, cutting the total charging time. This was made possible by Porsche's tried-and-true 800 V architecture.

The 760 km-long stretch of no-man's space between the Kunlun and Tianshan mountains was traversed by the cars in four days using the smart energy management system EnjoyElec, a start-up in which Porsche Ventures has strategically invested. In addition to unexpected snowfall and heavy rain, the automobiles had to climb four peaks that were more than 4,900 metres high in quick succession. The Taycan was nevertheless able to maintain a high level of charging efficiency even under such demanding circumstances because to the clever thermal management system, which also made sure that the vehicle's components were kept at the ideal working temperature.

As with any big adventure, the focus wasn’t simply on the finish line, but everything the team might encounter along the way. While the vast, boundless Gobi Desert, majestic snow-capped mountains, lush poplar forests, vibrant wetlands and the unique Yadan and Danxia landforms provided the photo opportunities, this was a journey that was about much more than Instagram moments.

In hot sand, wind and rain, and when road conditions were at their worst, the Taycan Cross Turismo proved to be a trustworthy travel companion that could cope with the fatigue of long distances. While its high-tech chassis with all-wheel drive and Adaptive Air Suspension swiftly filtered out the literal bumps in the road, the metaphorical ones were offset by an endless stream of sensory experiences – sights, sounds, smells, tastes and tactile sensations unique to this part of the world. Indeed, never has such an altitude change been more about the highs and lows.