► Fastest ‘Ring times ever
► 919 Hybrid holds top honour
► Quickest laps listed here
The Nürburgring needs no introduction, but here’s a short one regardless. 12.8 miles long carved among the Eifel mountains, the ‘Ring is one of the most challenging and oldest race tracks in the world – and it’s where petrolheads and brands alike go to test their skill and machinery.
Porsche is the latest to announced a new lap record around the ring: a production-spec Taycan just set the record for four-door EV saloon, lapping in the track in 7:42. However, it’s important to remember that this record was set with a pre-series car, and not a final production example.
In fact, it seems almost every car is tested at the ‘Ring nowadays, with manufacturers keen to set lap records and provide onboards for proof. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the fastest laps around the Nordschleife; from the best production car and front-wheel drive times to the quickest EVs that have gone around the Green Hell, too. We’ve also included the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo and lap time for a bit of context. Here you’ll find:
Overall lap records
Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo – 5:19.55s
Porsche 956 C – 6:11.13s
Fastest production cars lap records
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ – 6:44.97s
After the Porsche 911 GT2 RS broke the lap record and pushed the Huracan Perfomante down the list, Lamborghini took less than a year to reclaim the lap record at the Nürburgring. It used the Aventador SVJ which has a 6.5-litre V12 and integrated active aerodynamic upgrades (ALA system) which allows it to achieve high levels of downforce.
Porsche 911 GT2 RS – 6:47.30s
In late 2017, the 911 GT2 RS set a time nearly 5 seconds faster than the Lamborghini Huracan Performante, and this makes it the fastest rear-wheel and rear-engine production car around the ‘Ring. Manthey-Racing has since modified the GT2 RS to make the GT2 RS (MR). According to Manthey, it’s capable of achieving a lap record of 6:40.03s, 7 seconds faster than the production one.
Lamborghini Huracan Perfomante – 6:52.01s
The Huracan Perfomante set a staggering lap record at the Nürburgring just ahead of its reveal back in 2017. It is a track-focused version of the standard Huracan and has a 5.6-litre V10 engine along with Lamborghini’s active aerodynamics (ALA system). It is almost half a minute faster than a standard Huracan.
Porsche 918 Spyder (Weissach Package) – 6:57.00s
The Porsche 918 officially the fastest of the ‘hypercar Trinity’ around the Nürburgring, as McLaren and Ferrari haven’t yet posted official times. The 918 achieved a lap record of 6:57.00s thanks in part to its petrol-hybrid powertrain which produces almost 900bhp and to the Weissach Package which gives the car extra downforce and handling capability. The car held the lap record for a long while before the arrival of the Lamborghini Huracan Perfomante.
Lamborghini Aventador SV – 6:59.73s
The Aventador SV is a lighter track-focused version of the standard Aventador. It features a 6.5-litre V12 engine, single-clutch automated gearbox and aerodynamic upgrades which allowed it to achieve a lap record of 6:59.73s, almost half a minute faster than the standard car.
Dodge Viper ACR – 7:01.03s
The Viper ACR packs in an 8.4-litre V10, which produces around 700bhp, but it couldn’t quite go sub 7 minutes, though. The ACR managed to set a lap time of 7:01.03s which makes it the fastest production manual car to lap the ring.
Mercedes-AMG GTR Pro – 7:04.06s
The Mercedes-AMG GTR Pro features added aerodynamic and chassis upgrades over the standard GTR. The standard GTR set a time a lap record of 7:10.92s, making the GTR Pro almost six seconds faster with its lap record of 7:04.06s. It is highly track-focused, and it is one of the quickest front-engine cars to lap the ‘Ring.
Nissan GT-R Nismo – 7:08.59s
While the GT-R is by far the most affordable and usable car in the list, it managed to set a lap record of 7:08.59s. Although, it’s important to remember this lap time was set with the slightly sharper, faster Nismo pack.
Fastest front-wheel drive lap records
Renault Megane RS Trophy-R – 7:40.01s
The new Megane Trophy-R is a limited-edition model which features added performance and tech upgrades. And with 296bhp coming from the four-cylinder 1.8-litre engine, it’s 20bhp more than in the standard car.
It’s 130kg lighter than the standard car, too, and also benefits from upgrades like Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes, Akrapovič exhaust, Sabelt seating, and Bridgestone tyres. The new Megane Trophy-R set a lap record of 7:40.01s – more than three seconds faster than the previous lap record set by the Honda Civic Type R.
Honda Civic Type R – 7:43.08s
The Civic Type R is one of our favourite hatches, and it turns out it’s quick at the Nordschleife, too. In 2017, it managed to set a lap record of 7:43.08s which is almost 5.5 seconds faster than the previous record holder, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S.
Fastest electric-vehicle lap records
Volkswagen ID R – 6:05.34s
Smashed it: Volkswagen’s all-electric ID R has taken the Nurburgring lap record for an electric car. It’s logged a time of 6m 05.336sec, destroying that of the NIO EP9 by 40 seconds.
It follows on from the ID R taking the record for EVs at the famous Pikes Peak hillclimb in 2018, VW is now squeezing as much PR and marketing goodness out of its ID R race to smash records. VW had to modify the ID R to suit the very specific conditions the Green Hell brings.
NIO EP9 – 6:45.09s
The NIO EP9 generates power which is equivalent to around 1341bhp and enough to take it up to 62mph in just 2.7 seconds. And in May 2017, the EP9 clocked a 6:45.09 around the Nürburgring.
Fastest four-door EV lap record
Porsche Taycan – 7:42
Porsche has set a lap record around the ‘Ring with a time of 7:42. That’s not too far off the Jaguar XE SV below, and in this case, it’s actually an important benchmark for EV. The ability to unleash performance without a cooldown period, is an essential USP for the J1 platform over Tesla’s vehicles – and setting a time at the Green Hell is a great way to show just how relentless the Porsche’s power delivery is. You can watch it set the time in the video above. However, it’s important to remember that this record was set with a pre-series car, and not a final production example.
Fastest four-door saloon lap records
Jaguar XE SV Project 8 – 7:21.23s
The Project 8 is a special-edition model developed by Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) branch. Under the bonnet you’ll find a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine good for 592bhp and a 3.3 second 0-60mph time.
On the outside, you’ll find a heavily aero-optimised body, including an adjustable front splitter and rear wing, a rear diffuser and carbon fibre bumper, and a flat underbody. The Project 8 managed to set a lap record of 7:21.23s beating the previous record holder, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.