DriveTribe’s latest film pits Richard Hammond and James May in an electrified rematch of their famed car-vs-plane challenge. May took flight in an electric aircraft while Hammond raced along public roads in a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, with both starting at Henstridge Airfield and finishing at Dunsfold Aerodrome. The 108-mile drive contrasted with the aircraft’s roughly 80-mile direct route, but the plane’s 50-minute flight limit meant a midway recharge at Thruxton Aerodrome.
Hammond unleashed the Taycan’s full torque and Overboost power to sprint from 0–60 mph in just over two seconds, showcasing how modern electric cars now rival classic supercars. The EV’s 269-mile range allowed the car to go nonstop, and its 320 kW charger could boost the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 18 minutes. May, meanwhile, benefited from a 20–30 knot tailwind but still needed to factor in the aircraft’s flight-time cap and charging stop.
Despite traffic, speed limits and roadworks, and even Hammond using the Taycan’s liquid-crystal roof to spot his airborne rival, neither competitor could pull decisively ahead. The presenters kept journey times calculated to ensure a tight contest, and the finish at Dunsfold remained too close to call until the very end.