8 Fastest Production Cars to Lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife

By Ben McKimm - Guide

Published: 17 Dec 2024

Fastest Nürburgring Nordschleife Lap Times at a Glance
Best of the Rest Around the Nürburgring Nordschleife

Readtime: 12 min

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While brands such as Lamborghini, have achieved outstanding lap times at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the Aventador SVJ and Huracan Performante, there’s only a handful of official lap times that have been listed by the Nürburgring themselves. You see, while brands have been setting records for decades, there was confusion around the rules. So, the track decided to set the record straight in 2019, and all of the times we’ve listed below are according to the official start/finish line of the Nordschleife in track section T13, which is now also the start/finish line for record lap attempts.

The track distance is also officially defined now, and a full lap around the Nordschleife (20.832 km) with a flying start is driven and timed. As such, any brand setting a record from here on out will find there way onto this official list, so without further ado, let’s check out the fastest production cars to lap the Nürburgring.

Fastest Nürburgring Nordschleife Lap Times at a Glance

Fastest overall production car: Mercedes-AMG ONE
For value-for-money: Porsche 911 GT3
For an electric vehicle: Rimac Nevera

Now you’ve read the highlights, let’s check out the complete list.

1. Mercedes-AMG ONE

Official Nürburgring lap time: 6:29.090
Date of the record: 23.09.2024
Driver behind the wheel: Maro Engel

When the Formula One-powered Mercedes-AMG ONE and driver Maro Engel laid down a 6:35.183 lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2022 it seemed like a record that would never be broken by a production car again. However, barely two years later, the two went back to “The Ring” with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres and the lofty goal of breaking the unthinkable 6:30 barrier. They achieved it on a damp surface with a 6:29.090 lap time on the 23rd of August 2024, which is mind-boggling when you consider the second fastest production car around the Nürburgring is the Porsche 991 GT2 RS MR with a time more than 10 seconds slower than the Mercedes-AMG ONE.

Engine type: 1.6L Turbocharged V6 Hybrid (derived from Formula 1)
Hybrid system: 4 Electric Motors (1 on turbocharger, 1 on engine, 2 on front axle)
Total power output: Over 1,063 hp (combined)
Max engine RPM: 11,000 RPM (limited from F1-spec)
Transmission: 7-speed automated manual transmission
Drive system: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with electric front-axle drive
Battery: High-performance 8.4 kWh lithium-ion battery (F1-inspired)
Electric-only range: Approximately 18 km (11 miles)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 2.9 seconds
Acceleration 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph): 7.0 seconds
Top speed: 352 km/h (218 mph)
Weight: Approximately 1,695 kg (3,737 lbs)

Check out Mercedes-AMG ONE

2. Porsche 991 GT2 RS Manthey Performance Kit (991.2)

Official Nürburgring lap time: 6:43.300
Date of the record: 14.06.2021
Driver behind the wheel: Lars Kern

When it set a 6:43.300 lap time, beating the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, the Porsche 991 GT2 RS MR (991.2) became the fastest street-legal production sports car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Thanks to this achievement, it quickly became one of the most desirable modern Porsches and is regularly valued at more than $1 Million AUD. This record was achieved with Lars Kern at the wheel where he managed an average speed of 185.87 km/h around the 20.8-kilometer-long track that boasts 73 corners and 300 meters of elevation change in a single lap. The 700HP rear-engined window maker Porsche was equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres to help get that power to the tarmac, and clearly, it achieved its goal with an outstanding time.

Engine type: 3.8L Twin-Turbocharged Flat-6 (Boxer Engine)
Power output: 700 hp (standard)
Torque: 750 Nm (553 lb-ft)
Transmission: 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch automatic
Drive system: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Accleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 2.8 seconds
Top speed: 340 km/h (211 mph)
Weight: Approximately 1,470 kg (3,240 lbs) (without Manthey kit)

Check out Porsche 991 GT2 RS Manthey Performance Kit

3. Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

Official Nürburgring lap time: 6:48.047
Date of the record: 04.11.2020
Driver behind the wheel: Maro Engel

One of the most impressive official Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times was laid down when Maro Engel piloted the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series to a 6:48.047 time around the Green Hell with damp track conditions. Many still believe the car could have gone faster if the track was dry. However, both the driver and manufacturer were satisfied with the time. Engel still managed to push the 730HP Black Series to speeds of over 300km/h in some sections, and the Nürburgring Sales Manager Michael Dürbaum echoed their support of the brand’s success at The Ring: “As a long-standing partner, Mercedes-AMG develops its vehicles on the Nordschleife. Now, with the GT Black Series, they have once again proven the performance they can bring to the asphalt. A strong performance,” he said.

Engine type: 4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8 (Flat-Plane Crankshaft)
Power output: 730 hp (537 kW)
Torque: 800 Nm (590 lb-ft)
Transmission: 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT dual-clutch transmission
Drive system: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.2 seconds
Acceleration 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph): 9.0 seconds
Top speed: 325 km/h (202 mph)
Weight: Approximately 1,540 kg (3,395 lbs)

Check out Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

4. Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992.1)

Official Nürburgring lap time: 6:49.328
Year of the record: 05.10.2022
Driver behind the wheel: Jörg Bergmeister

While significantly down on power compared to the top contender on this list, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992.1) is a road-legal track monster that set an impressive 6:49.328 lap time with Porsche brand ambassador and development driver Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel. Like many cars on this list, track conditions came into play on the day and Andreas Preuninger, Model Series Manager GT vehicles, said the GT3 RS likely could’ve gone faster: “Considering the less than ideal conditions with a strong headwind on the long Döttinger Höhe straight and excessively cool asphalt temperatures, we are satisfied with the time.”

Equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres (optional) and Weissach package (optional), Bergmeister said the GT3 RS is in “a league of its own,” especially in the fast sections of the track where at 285 km/h, the 911 GT3 RS achieves a total downforce of 860 kilograms, which is three times as much as a 911 GT3.

Engine type: 4.0L Naturally Aspirated Flat-6 (Boxer Engine)
Power output: 525 hp (386 kW)
Torque: 465 Nm (343 lb-ft)
Transmission: 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch automatic
Drive system: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.2 seconds
Top speed: 296 km/h (184 mph)
Weight: Approximately 1,450 kg (3,197 lbs)

Check out Porsche 911 GT3 RS

5. Porsche 911 GT3 Manthey Performance Kit (992.1)

Official Nürburgring lap time: 6:55.737
Date of the record: 21.04.2022
Driver behind the wheel: Kévin Estre

The Porsche 911 GT3 MR, and the corresponding lap time of 6:55.737, is what happens when you take a standard GT3 and turn things up to 11 with bespoke coilover suspension, lightweight wheels, aero discs, brake pads, braided lines, and several aerodynamic enhancements. Still, it’s a desirable package that can be purchased at your local Porsche dealership, so it creeps onto the list of fastest production cars to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. FIA World Endurance driver Kévin Estre piloted the Porsche 911 GT3 MR around the track and made corners look straight, hitting 200km/h at Flugplatz, 240km/h at Schwedenkreuz left, and 200km/h at Mutkurve, which are just ridiculous figures for a car that isn’t even an ‘RS’. Ultimately, he shaves more than 3 seconds off the standard car, which itself shaves 17.4 seconds off the time set by the previous 991.2 generation vehicle.

Engine type: 4.0L Naturally Aspirated Flat-6 (Boxer Engine)
Power output: 510 hp (375 kW) (unchanged from standard GT3)
Torque: 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) (unchanged from standard GT3)
Transmission: 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch automatic (option for 6-speed manual on standard GT3)
Drive system: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.4 seconds (approximate, no change from standard GT3)
Top speed: 318 km/h (198 mph) (approximate, no change from standard GT3)
Weight: Approximately 1,418 kg (3,126 lbs) (slightly lighter due to Manthey kit upgrades)

Check out Porsche 911 GT3 Manthey Performance Kit

6. Ford Mustang GTD

Official Nürburgring lap time: 6:57.685
Date of the record: 10.12.2024
Driver behind the wheel: Dirk Müller

The latest entrant to the sub-seven-minute club, the 815HP Ford Mustang GTD set a 6:57.685 lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in December 2024. This makes it the fastest American-made vehicle around “The Green Hell” and fulfils CEO Jim Farley’s commitment to customers. The GTD takes much of its inspiration from the GT3 dedicated track car, however, because it isn’t subject to strict racing guidelines, it’s able to push the boundaries even further with carbon-ceramic brakes, active aerodynamics, a supercharger, and semi-active suspension. Most importantly, the Mustang GTD that completed the sub-seven-minute lap was entirely stock and is the same car that customers paid USD$325,000 to get their hands on. That said, it did include motorsports-derived safety gear mandated by the Nürburgring, meaning a competition seat with a five-point harness and a roll cage was fitted.

“The team behind Mustang GTD took what we’ve learned from decades on the track and engineered a Mustang that can compete with the world’s best supercars,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We’re proud to be the first American automaker with a car that can lap the Nürburgring in under seven minutes, but we aren’t satisfied. We know the Mustang GTD can set a faster Nürburgring lap. We’ll be back.”

Engine type: 5.2L Supercharged V8
Power output: 815 hp (608 kW)
Torque: 664 lb-ft (900 Nm)
Redline: 7,500 RPM
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle
Drive system: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): Approximately 3.5 seconds
Top speed: 202 mph (325 km/h)

Check out Ford Mustang GTD

7. Porsche 911 GT3 (992.1)

Official Nürburgring lap time: 6:59.93
Date of the record: 15.09.2020
Driver behind the wheel: Lars Kern

The Porsche 911 GT3 (992.1) is not even the most hardcore variant of the 992 generation vehicle. Still, it achieved a sub-seven-minute lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the hands of Lars Kern, laying down a 6:59.93 in 2020. That places it above the Porsche 718 GT4 RS MR, which uses the same engine, and speaks to the engineering prowess of a double-wishbone front suspension and the benefits of size and width when comparing the 911 chassis to the smaller 718 chassis. This is the most affordable vehicle on our list, and while still an allocation-only vehicle, it’s probably the most attainable vehicle, too.

Engine type: 4.0L Naturally Aspirated Flat-6
Power output: 510 hp (375 kW)
Torque: 470 Nm (347 lb-ft)
Transmission: 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic or 6-speed manual
Drive System: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.4 seconds (PDK) / 3.9 seconds (manual)
Top speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) (PDK) / 318 km/h (198 mph) (manual)
Weight: Approximately 1,418 kg (3,126 lbs)

Check out Porsche 911 GT3

8. Porsche 718 GT4 RS Manthey Kit

Official Nürburgring lap time: 7:03.121
Date of the record: 09.05.2023
Driver behind the wheel: Jörg Bergmeister

The Porsche 718 GT4 RS MR is the first car on this list to sit beyond the 7-minute barrier, and while that makes it the slowest car, it’s hardly a slouch with a time that bests the brand’s electric track-special Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package (7:07.55) and even the bonkers and world-beating Rimac Nevera (7:05.298) electric supercar that puts down 1,800HP. Truth be told, besides the Mercedes-AMG ONE, the 718 GT4 RS MR might be the car that we’d like to jump behind the wheel of the most because of its intoxicating intake noise, which is something that we loved in the standard Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS during our review.

Engine type: 4.0L Naturally Aspirated Flat-6 (Boxer Engine)
Power output: 500 PS (493 hp)
Torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft)
Transmission: 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch automatic
Drive system: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.4 seconds
Top speed: 315 km/h (196 mph)
Weight: Approximately 1,415 kg (3,120 lbs)

Check out Porsche 718 GT4 RS Manthey Kit

Best of the Rest Around the Nürburgring Nordschleife

The cars we’ve listed above are the fastest production road-legal vehicles to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in an official capacity. Still, there are some impressive lap times put down by vehicles in other categories, including the fastest overall vehicle, but also the SUVs, EVs, and Hatchbacks, which have all impressed the world during their record-breaking attempts. These are some of the highlights: