Watch the Porsche Taycan GTS in an electric performance race between Germany vs China
Does Porsche still own the performance crown in the new electric era? Or do the new Chinese EVs take the title? Check out the epic race in a battle of international heavyweights – Germany vs. China.
Porsche Taycan GTS delivers performance in the EV era
Porsche is well-known for its high-performance car history, from the 911 GT2 to the Carrera GTS, which has shaped the brand as we know it today.
However, the auto industry is changing – and rapidly. The age of electric vehicles has arrived. To maintain its status as a performance leader, Porsche introduced its first all-electric car, the Taycan, in 2019.
In typical Porsche fashion, the German luxury automaker unveiled a high-performance GTS variant.
The Porsche Taycan GTS sedan and GTS Sport Turismo were released in November 2021, featuring its 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus (the same used in the Turbo and Turbo S), special GTS brand design features, and tuned suspension and performance equipment. You can see our full review of the Porsche Taycan GTS sedan here.
The all-electric sports sedan has two PSM electric motors, one on each axle, delivering over 590 hp (440 kW).
Using launch control (which activates Overboost Power), the Taycan GTS can race from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Can Chinese EVs beat a Porsche Taycan in a drag race?
Meanwhile, China is the world’s largest EV market, accounting for over 60% of all global electric car sales last year.
Chinese automakers in the region, like NIO and XPeng, are pioneering some of the industry’s most technologically advanced EVs with modern features that are attracting users at home and abroad.
Launched in 2017, Human Horizon’s HiPhi is a luxury electric vehicle brand with models including the “X” and the “Z.”
The company’s first EV model, the HiPhi X electric SUV, began deliveries in China in June 2021. Its second, the HiPhi Z luxury GT, referred to as the Chinese version of the Porsche Taycan EV, began production last year.
The HiPhi X competes directly against the BMW iX M60, while the HiPhi Z is aimed at the Porsche Taycan GTS.
To see if Porsche and BMW are still the performance leaders they have built a reputation on, Carwow put them up against the Chinese EVs from Human Horizon’s HiPhi brand.
The HiPhi Z has the most power (672 hp), followed by the BMW iX M60 (619 hp), while the Porsche Taycan GTS and HiPhi X both feature 598 hp.
| Power (hp) |
Torque (Nm) |
Weight (kg) |
Price | |
| Porsche Taycan GTS | 598 | 850 | 2,310 | $139,300 |
| BMW iX M60 | 619 | 1,100 | 2,584 | $108,900 |
| HiPhi Z | 672 | 820 | 2,539 | $90,000 |
| HiPhi X | 598 | 820 | 2,580 | $86,000 |
To find out who makes the quickest electric car (Germany vs. China), the Porsche Taycan GTS and BMW iX M60 take on the HiPhi Z and X models in an epic drag race.
Are Porsche and BMW still the performance leaders they are known to be? Check out the video above to see if the Taycan GTS holds its own.
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The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
WATCH: Early Bridge investor weighs in on $1.1 billion Stripe deal
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
- Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
- Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
- Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Check out the Rivian R1 Shop to view eligible models. You can see eligible Rivian R1S here and R1T models here.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
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