Watch Porsche’s 2018 911 GT3 blitz the Nurburgring in 7:12.7

By Stephen Edelstein May 5, 2017

If you’re wondering whether a new version of a performance car is really better than its predecessor, Germany’s infamous Nurburgring racetrack can provide a clear-cut answer.

It’s now pretty much standard procedure for automakers to take all manner of performance cars to the ‘Ring in order to achieve bragging rights, but Nürburgring lap times can also be a good yardstick for measuring improvement (or lack thereof) of two generations of a particular car. Take the 2018 Porsche 911 GT3. It just lapped the ‘Ring in 7 minutes, 12.7 seconds. That’s 12.3 seconds faster than the last GT3, according to Top Gear.

Related Videos

That makes the 2018 GT3 among the fastest cars to ever lap the Nurburgring, and it’s especially impressive considering that Porsche actually didn’t make that many changes for the new model. The naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine only makes 25 more horsepower and 15 more pound-feet of torque than the previous GT3’s 3.8-liter engine, for a total of 500 hp and 339 lb-ft. Porsche also made some changes to the car’s aerodynamic aids.

The car used for the Nurburgring run was piloted by Porsche test driver Lars Kern, and equipped with rear-wheel steering, carbon-ceramic brakes, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. It also had the PDK dual-clutch automated transmission, although a manual option will be available for 2018.

The GT3 isn’t the fastest Porsche to last the Nurburgring. That honor goes to the limited-edition 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid supercar, which managed a 6:57. That gave it the lap record for production cars until the Lamborghini Huracán Performante managed a 6:52.01 in October. The GT3 is also just behind the Mercedes-AMG GT R, which achieved a 7:10.92 lap. The GT R is a close rival to the GT3 in conception, as both are hardcore, track-focused versions of existing sports cars.

But with the GT3 revamped for 2018, it’s only a matter of time before Porsche brings out an upgraded version of the even more hardcore GT3 RS. How fast will that go around the Nurburgring?

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Cars

Mercedes EV charging hubs are coming to North America by the end of the decade

What a future Mercedes-Benz EV charging hub might look like.

You can't have more electric cars without more charging stations, so Mercedes-Benz is building a global charging network covering North America, China, Europe, and other major markets to support its goal of going all-electric by the end of the decade where market conditions allow.

Announced at CES 2023, the network should be in place by the end of the decade in line with Mercedes' electrification goal. It's a bold move by the automaker, which has mostly relied on third-party charging networks until now.

Cars

Tesla Model X vs. Tesla Model Y: Range, speed, price, and other specs compared

Novitec Tesla Model X

Every major carmaker, from Ford to Volvo and beyond, makes an EV these days, but Tesla has had a bit of a head start. As a result, it now offers a well-rounded lineup of electric cars, including sedans and SUVs. Tesla’s cars are still some of the best EVs out there, and if you’re in the market for an electric car, you’re likely considering a Tesla.

Larger cars, like SUVs and crossovers, are the most popular in the U.S. right now — and Tesla offers two of them: The Tesla Model X and the Tesla Model Y. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and there are a few major differences, including price. Here’s everything you need to know about the two cars and why one or the other might be better for your needs.
Tesla Model X vs. Tesla Model Y: Design

Cars

VW previews its next electric car in trippy camouflaged form

Front three quarter view of a camouflaged Volkswagen ID.7 prototype.

The Volkswagen ID.7 is VW's next electric car, and while it won't be fully revealed until later in the year, the automaker provided a sneak peek at CES 2023.

VW said the production ID.7, which will be revealed in the second quarter of this year, will be influenced by the ID.Aero concept first shown in China in 2022. The camouflaged prototype VW brought to CES has the same general shape as the ID.Aero. It's a streamlined sedan that VW claims will have up to 435 miles of range as measured on the somewhat lenient European WLTP testing cycle.