The Nürburgring: A Playground for Automakers to Push the Limits
Germany’s Nürburgring race track is legendary among car enthusiasts, offering a challenging 13-mile course with 147 corners. It has become the ultimate testing ground for car manufacturers, who spend years honing their machines around the Nordschleife in pursuit of the fastest lap times. The track provides unparalleled insight into a vehicle’s performance, highlighting areas of strength and areas in need of improvement.
In 2019, the Nürburgring made a significant change to the official lap length, increasing it to 12.944 miles. This adjustment meant that previous lap records set on the shorter circuit were no longer valid. The decision aimed to ensure that only complete laps would be counted, raising the bar even higher for automakers aiming for record-breaking times.
One of the most impressive lap records at the Nürburgring belongs to the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo. This Le Mans-winning prototype racer was unleashed on the Nordschleife as part of a farewell tour before Porsche’s withdrawal from endurance racing. The 919 Evo, weighing 39kg less than its race-spec version, featured enhanced aerodynamics and a tuned 2.0-litre V4 hybrid powertrain. With Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard behind the wheel, the car shattered the previous lap record with a time of 5 minutes, 19.546 seconds.
Volkswagen also made a mark on the Nürburgring with its ID R electric car. Not only did it claim the fastest lap time in an electric vehicle, but it also secured a spot among the fastest overall. The ID R went on to set records at the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb and China’s Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road. The technology developed for the ID R program will influence Volkswagen’s future electric road cars.
Front-wheel drive cars have also left their mark on the Nürburgring, with the Honda Civic Type-R holding the record in this category. Equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tires, the Civic Type-R dethroned the Renault Mégane RS Trophy-R and showcased Honda’s commitment to performance.
When it comes to production cars, the Mercedes-AMG One currently holds the fastest lap time. This hypercar, dubbed a Formula 1 car for the road, recorded a time of 6 minutes, 35.183 seconds, driven by Mercedes DTM driver Maro Engel. With a modified version of Mercedes-AMG’s turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 engine and four electric motors, the One is a truly potent machine.
Porsche is also a dominant force at the Nürburgring, with the 911 GT2 RS (with Manthey Performance Kit) and the GT3 RS making the list of fastest production cars. These vehicles featured enhancements to their chassis, aerodynamics, and brakes, specifically designed for optimum performance on the track.
It’s worth noting that the Nürburgring lap times are not just about speed but also about the technology and engineering prowess of the automakers. These records demonstrate the continuous pursuit of performance and innovation in the automotive industry.
As car enthusiasts eagerly await the next lap record attempt, the Nürburgring remains the ultimate playground for automakers to push the limits of their machines and showcase their engineering achievements.