Well, here we are; the track that needs no introduction.
The challenge posed by Germany's Nürburgring is unrivalled. Each of the 147 corners along the 13-mile course gives car makers unparalleled insight into where their machines work best, and where they must improve.
A Nürburgring lap record is something of an accolade, with manufacturers spending years (if decades) honing their machines around the Nordschleife in the hope of being crowned the fastest cars in the world.
There is a caveat, however, in that the 'official' length of the lap was increased in 2019. Before this, all times were logged on a 12.8 mile circuit that effectively left out a short stretch of the T13 straight at the end of the lap.
Yet with so much emphasis being placed on setting a fast time, the Nürburgring decided that only the whole 12.944 miles would count.
The record laps set can be divided between several different types of car. Take a look below to see the quickest lap times in all the major categories.
Fastest road-legal lap around the Nürburgring
1 - Mercedes-AMG One - 6:35:18
The Mercedes-AMG One has set a new fastest lap for production cars at the Nürburgring, eclipsing the previous record by almost 10sec.
The 1049bhp hypercar posted a time of 6min 35.183sec around the 156-corner circuit, driven by Mercedes DTM driver Maro Engel on 28 October. This lap time also took the record for the super-sports car category.
Dubbed a Formula 1 car for the road, the £2.2 million hypercar is the most potent Mercedes-AMG road car ever made, combining a modified version of the firm’s turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 grand prix engine with four electric motors.
2 - Porsche 911 GT2 RS (with Manthey Performance Kit) - 6:43:30
Guided by Porsche works driver Lars Kern, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS completed a lap of the Nürburgring in 6 minutes 43.30sec, breaking the previous record by 4.747sec with an average speed of 115.5mph.
The GT2 RS was equipped with the Manthey Performance Kit, bringing changes to the chassis, aerodynamics and brakes, all of which have been specifically designed for the car. The kit also extends to additional flaps on the front spoiler, a carbonfibre underbody and additional air-guiding elements around the front wheels. At the back of the car, there’s a new spoiler, a modified diffuser and aero discs on the wheels. Overall, front downforce is increased from 49kg to 70kg at 124mph and rear downforce from 93kg to 200kg.
Kern has gone even faster around the track, clocking an incredible 6:40:30 in a GT2 RS MR in October 2018. Effectively the same car, it had a suspension and aero set up specifically for the 'Ring without any compromises for the road. It was still completely street-legal, however, featuring upgrade parts that anyone with deep enough pockets could buy off the shelf.
Join the debate
Add your comment
But ultimately these records are on a Track, no driver in his right mind would drive them on Highways and other public at these speeds,amazing though they are that's all they do, what's their daily drive?, a humble Ferrari a Porsche maybe, and to get back to Track records, anyone know if McMurty have any plans to have a go at the "Green hell" .
Such a blistering time that it's a massive 30 secs off the pace of the AMG One. Yes, EV's are quick in a straight line but that's about as far as their performance superiority extends to.
Wonder what the budget was for the Mercedes AMG One
In the real world....who gives a damn...