14 October 2009
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The new 911 Turbo has slashed its predecessor’s Nurburgring lap time by ten seconds, completing a circuit in 7m 39sec.
Despite similar looks the latest 997 has been substantially updated over a two year program.
See the history of the Porsche 911 Turbo in our hi-res picture timeline
Read the first drive of the brand new Porsche 911 3.8 Turbo
See the new Porsche 911 3.8 Turbo on video
The old 3.6-litre engine has been ditched in favour of a more powerful direct-injected 3.8-litre version of Porsche’s classic flat six-cylinder running newly reworked twin variable vane turbochargers.
Power has increased by 20bhp, while the weight has been slashed by 25kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 309bhp/tonne.
Porsche has timed both cars around the infamous ‘Ring and found the improvements knocked 10sec off the outgoing car’s 7m 49sec lap.
Earlier this year the Nissan GT-R bettered its own best time around the Nurburgring.
The GT-R has been mildly fettled since its launch, gaining five extra bhp, a revised dual-clutch gearbox, updated launch control and fettled suspension.
In the hands of Toshio Suzuki, a former Formula One driver, the car lapped the Nordschleife in 7m 27.56sec. Its previous record stood at 7m 29sec.
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