Nürburgring lap times have become a key metric for manufacturers, with various records available for different types of cars. The official track record keepers divide the record runs into several categories, including prototypes, super sports cars, sports cars, SUVs, executive cars, and compact cars.
The record for prototypes/pre-production vehicles is held by the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, which set a lap time of 5:19.546 in 2018. This car, effectively a version of Porsche’s old LMP1 Le Mans racer, produces around 1,144bhp and has so much downforce that it’s at risk of punching a hole in the ground.
Super Sports Cars
The fastest road-legal car to go around the circuit is the Mercedes-AMG One, which set a lap time of 6:29.090 in 2024. This hypercar packs an adapted version of a fully-fledged hybrid Formula 1 powertrain and has a 1,049bhp output.
In the electric subset of the super sports cars class, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme holds the record with a lap time of 6:59.157. This quad-motor electric sports car produces a 2,977bhp output and has a suite of aero bits, two-valve adaptive dampers, and carbon-ceramic brakes.
Sports Cars and SUVs
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance Kit holds the record for sports cars with a lap time of 6:43.300. This car has a 690bhp output from its 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six and features a suite of lightweight components and track-honed coilover suspension.
In the SUV category, the Audi RS Q8 Performance holds the record for combustion-powered machines with a lap time of 7:36.698. The Xiaomi YU7 GT with Track Package holds the record for electric SUVs with a lap time of 7:22.755.
It is worth examining the classification system used by the Nürburgring, as it can sometimes lead to curious results. For example, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance Kit is classified as a production car, while the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Manthey Racing is classified as a modified vehicle, despite having similar specifications.
Executive and Compact Cars
The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid holds the record for executive cars with a lap time of 7:24.172. The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit holds the record for electric executive cars with a lap time of 6:55.533.
In the compact car category, the BMW M4 CSL holds the record for combustion-powered machines with a lap time of 7:18.137. The BMW M2 CS holds the record for compact cars with a lap time of 7:25.534.
The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 holds the record for electric compact cars with a lap time of 7:32.070. This car has a 671bhp output and features a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.
Modified Vehicles and Autonomous Driving
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Manthey Racing holds the record for modified vehicles with a lap time of 6:44.749. The Tesla Model S Plaid Track Package holds the record for modified electric vehicles with a lap time of 7:25.231.
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The Xiaomi YU7 GT with Track Package also set a record for autonomous driving with a lap time of 10:29.483. This lap was completed without a human driver and was around three minutes slower than the car’s lap time with a human driver.
Other records worth mentioning include the front-wheel drive car record, which is held by the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 with a lap time of 7:44.523. The actual race lap record, set during a competitive race, dates back to 1983 and is held by Stefan Bellof with a lap time of 6:25.910 in his Porsche 956 Group C racer.
They set these records using highly advanced cars.
These lap times are a result of the manufacturers’ efforts.
Nürburgring continues to be a key location for setting lap records.
The track’s classification system is used to categorize the records.
Manufacturers use the Nürburgring to test their cars’ performance.
They use the track to compare their cars’ lap times.
The Nürburgring is a challenging track.
It requires highly advanced cars to set fast lap times.
The manufacturers’ efforts to set lap records at the Nürburgring are ongoing.
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The track will continue to be a key location for setting lap records.
The lap records set at the Nürburgring are highly respected.
They are a result of the manufacturers’ hard work and dedication.
The Nürburgring is a unique track.
It has a rich history of hosting competitive races.
The track’s layout is challenging.
It requires drivers to have highly advanced skills.
The Nürburgring is a popular location for manufacturers to test their cars.
They use the track to evaluate their cars’ performance.
The lap records set at the Nürburgring are a result of the manufacturers’ efforts to evaluate their cars’ performance.
The track will continue to be a key location for setting lap records and evaluating car performance.
