Porsche Breaks 7-Minute ‘Ring Mark, Again

Porsche AG lapped Germany’s famous Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in six minutes and 56 seconds this week with a 911 GT3 RS.

Porsche driver Kevin Estre piloted the 911 GT3 RS, which is powered by a 520-hp 4.0-liter flat-6 engine mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Nurburgring car ran on street-legal Michelin Sport Cup 2 R tires, with magnesium wheels and carbon-ceramic brake rotors. The package adds $31,000 to the car’s $188,500 base price.

Porsche previously broke the 7-minute threshold with a 912 Spyder (6:57) and set the record for a production car last September with a 911 GT2 RS. That vehicle, which is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six, took just 6 minutes and 47 seconds to run the ’Ring.

The Lamborghini Huracan LP 640-4 also is ahead of the 911 GT3 with a time of 6:52 set in 2016. McLaren holds the course record of 6:43 with its XP1 LM prototype hybrid-electric car.

Watch a video of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS here.