Porsche Retakes ’Ring Record

Porsche AG says its 911 GT2 RS sports car has set a new record for a production vehicle at Germany’s Nurburgring-Nordschleife course with a lap time of six minutes and 40 seconds.

This beats the previous mark set in July by a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ by nearly five seconds. Porsche had held the record for the preceding 10 months with a time of six minutes and 47 seconds, which also was set by a 911 GTS RS.

The new record-setting GT2 is street-legal but received chassis and suspension modifications to enhance its performance on the grueling 12.9-mile Nordschleife circuit. The car’s 700-hp 3.8-liter engine is stock.

Lars Kern piloted the car to the record on Oct. 25. He also was at the wheel for last year’s record.

In June, Porsche shattered the overall Nordschleife track record with a time of five minutes and 19 seconds in its 919 Evo hybrid-electric race car. The car is a modified version of the 919 Hybrid that won three straight 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance races.