Breaking Nürburgring Records: Discover 2024's Fastest Beasts
For automotive enthusiasts and speed junkies alike, there’s one metric that can make or break a car’s reputation: the Nürburgring lap time. Often referred to as Germany’s “Green Hell,” the Nürburgring Nordschleife is a proving ground where only the fastest and most finely-tuned machines earn their stripes. We've compiled the latest data to give you an all-in-one hub for the most current 'Ring numbers. Buckle up as we dive into the times that have set 2024 ablaze.
Production Car Prowess
Back in 2013, Porsche stunned the world when its 918 Spyder hypercar shattered the 7-minute barrier around the Nürburgring. Fast forward nine years, and that achievement has been outpaced by leaps and bounds. Nowadays, high-performance machines like the Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS can achieve similar feats without requiring the hypercar price tag. Leading the pack in 2024 is the Mercedes-AMG One, an automotive marvel that completed the course in an astounding 6:35.18, besting its closest rival by a jaw-dropping 12 seconds.
The Untouchables: Overall Lap Records
Few records have been as indomitable as Stefan Bellof’s 6:11.13 lap set in a Porsche 956 during the 1983 Nürburgring 1000 Km qualifying round. That record stood unchallenged for 35 years until Porsche’s hybrid-powered 919 shaved almost a full minute off it in 2018. Among the top contenders today, Volkswagen’s ID.R electric racer and the AMG One are rising stars, marking impressive times that blend old-school grit with cutting-edge technology.
Sedans: Subdued Speedsters
Not all Nürburgring heroes are low-slung sports cars. In the world of sedans, major players like Tesla and Porsche continue their rivalry. The Tesla Model S Plaid, equipped with its Track Package, gave the Jaguar XE Project 8 a run for its money but ultimately fell short. However, Porsche’s Taycan Turbo GT reclaimed the crown, thanks to its stripped-down Weissach package that obliterated the previous record by a substantial margin.
SUVs: High and Mighty
While it may seem outlandish to time SUVs on a race track, this class has seen some extraordinary entrants. These high-velocity behemoths like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Audi RS Q8 deliver performance levels that easily rival sports sedans. Lamborghini’s Urus, although cloaked in mystery about its exact lap time, is presumed to be no slouch given its lineage.
FWD Cars: The Ultimate Duel
The front-wheel-drive (FWD) battleground has been dominated by the Renault Megane and Honda Civic Type R for nearly a decade. Currently, the latest Honda Civic Type R holds the top spot, thanks to a lightweight, Europe-only S-grade model that prioritizes bare-bones performance. Interestingly, Volkswagen held a brief tenure at the top in 2016 with its Golf GTI Clubsport R but has since relinquished the throne due to strategic shifts.
Compact Cars: Small but Mighty
In 2019, Nürburgring established a dedicated classification for compact cars, bringing a new level of prestige to this category. Though most of these compact missiles are FWD hot hatches, Audi's all-wheel-drive RS 3 Quattro sedan has stood out as the fastest.
Electric Vehicles: Battery-Powered Brilliance
The EV category is heating up with technological advancements pushing boundaries like never before. At the forefront are the Volkswagen ID.R and NIO EP9 racers, leaving a significant gap between them and their road-legal counterparts. Yet, Rimac's Nevera has surged to the top among production EVs, jousting with the likes of Tesla’s Model S and Porsche’s Taycan. The battle between the Plaid and Taycan models saw a recent twist when the Taycan Turbo S initially bested the Plaid, only to be outdone later by Tesla's Plaid Track Pack. Porsche firing back with the Taycan GT has added yet another thrilling chapter to this electric rivalry.
For those keen on keeping track of these ever-evolving records, our comprehensive list is continually updated to reflect the latest feats. Whether you're a casual observer or a hardcore 'Ring fan, this guide ensures you're always in the know.