The Porsche 963 and 99X Electric both reach rapid speeds as they navigate some of the world’s most challenging race tracks. But just how fast do they go?
Covering thousands of kilometres across the continents in one season, all Porsche Motorsport race cars are designed to run as quickly as possible for as long as possible.
Though they use very different machinery, both the Porsche 963 and Porsche 99X Electric can reach breathtaking speeds of over 300km/h / 186mph.
But what are their top speeds and how are they generated?
How fast is the Porsche 963?
Top speed: >330 km/h / 205mph
Integrating classic design with modern hybrid technology, the Porsche 963 features a robust 4.6-litre V8 twin-turbo engine derived from the Porsche 918 Spyder.
It runs on renewable fuels, cutting CO2 emissions significantly and setting new benchmarks in the LMDh category, whether in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship or the World Endurance Championship.
The WEC’s Balance of Performance mechanism balances out top speed, adjusting the power of cars above 250 km/h / 155mph in order to level out the field and aim for all cars to be able to achieve the same lap times.
At last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the highest top speed clocked by any car was 344.5km/h / 214mph, with the #4 Porsche reaching that speed.
Kévin Estre’s stunning pole lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe in the #6 car was a 3:24.634.
How fast is the Porsche 99X Electric (Gen3 EVO)?
Top speed: >320 km/h / 200mph
With a top speed of over 320km/h / 200mph compared to Gen2’s 280 km/h / 174mph, this generation is the fastest Formula E car ever built.
The first era of the all-electric championship, Gen1, featured cars with a top speed of 225km/h /140mph, and speeds have increased ever since.
The 2024-25 season saw the introduction of the Gen3 EVO - an upgrade on the previous Gen3 car used from 2022-23 until last year.
The new car’s performance upgrades provide an estimated 2 per cent performance gain. In real terms, this cuts two seconds from a qualifying lap on the iconic Monaco street circuit to further boost the thrilling all-electric action.
When all-wheel drive is engaged during qualifying duels, race starts, and Attack Mode, the Porsche 99X Electric accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in around two seconds - faster than a Formula 1 car.
At normal operation, the Porsche 99X Electric runs at 300 kW / 408 hp, but with Attack Mode engaged, that is boosted to 350 kW / 476 hp.
Powered by the Porsche E-Performance Powertrain, this car runs with over 95% efficiency in its electric motor, a stark contrast to the 40% efficiency of typical internal combustion engines.
Around 50% of the drive energy in each race comes from brake energy recuperation - up to 600 kW. Its combined charging system is designed for extremely fast charging, with up to 600 kW.
