Top 10: Fastest Nurburgring Laps. (Production Cars)

85

By WHoArtNow

Introduction: The Nordschleife

The Nordschleife or Nurburgring as it is more commonly known is possibly the most well known and respected race track in the whole world.Situated in the mountains of Germany, the track dates back to the 1920's.Consisting of 174 corners spread out over 20.8km (12.9mi) the Nurburgring is amazingly a toll road so anyone can pay and drive it, even in a tour bus!

The fastest production cars have to run road legal tires and be full production and totally unmodified to qualify. There has been a lot of talk of the Nurburgring lap record, especially with the battle between Nissan (GTR) and Porsche (997 911 GT2). In mid August 2009 news of a new fast lap was announced, and just 6 days later, the production lap record was smashed by the existing record holder.

The Nordschleife Lap
See all 11 photos
The Nordschleife Lap

10.Porsche 911 GT2 - 7:32.02 - 2007

10.2008 Porsche 911 GT2 - 7:32.02 - 2007
10.2008 Porsche 911 GT2 - 7:32.02 - 2007

9.Porsche Carrera GT - 7:28.71 - 2 July 2004

9.Porsche Carrera GT - 7:28.71 - 2 July 2004
9.Porsche Carrera GT - 7:28.71 - 2 July 2004

8.Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 - 7:26.4 - 27 June 2008

7.Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 - 7:26.4 - 27 June 2008
7.Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 - 7:26.4 - 27 June 2008

7.Ferrari Enzo Ferrari - 7:25.3 - August 2008

6.Ferrari Enzo Ferrari - 7:25.3 - August 2008
6.Ferrari Enzo Ferrari - 7:25.3 - August 2008

6.Pagani Zonda F Clubsport - 7:24.7 - August 2008

5.Pagani Zonda F Clubsport - 7:24.7 - August 2008
5.Pagani Zonda F Clubsport - 7:24.7 - August 2008

5.Maserati MC12 - 7:24.3 - August 2008

 4.Maserati MC12 - 7:24.3 - August 2008
4.Maserati MC12 - 7:24.3 - August 2008

4.2011 Nissan GT-R - 7:24.2 - October 2010 (Wet Conditions)

8.Nissan GT-R - 7:24.2 - October 2010
8.Nissan GT-R - 7:24.2 - October 2010

3.Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR - 7:22.1 - 18/08/2008

3.Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR - 7:22.1 - 18/08/2008
3.Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR - 7:22.1 - 18/08/2008

2.Gumpert Apollo Speed - 7:11.5mins - 13/08/2009

2.Gumpert Apollo Speed - 7:11.5mins - 13/08/2009
2.Gumpert Apollo Speed - 7:11.5mins - 13/08/2009

1.Radical SR8LM - 6:48mins - 19/08/2009

Just 6 days after the Gumpert Apollo Speed ran a stunningly quick time of 7:11.5 mins, the Radical SR8LM drove from the Peterborough, UK factory all the way to the Nurburgring, set some warm up laps and went for it. Radical previously held the record with their standard SR8 with a stunning time of 6:55 mins.

The SR8's 455bhp 2.8 V8 engine (A highly modified engine based around two Suzuki 1300 Hayabusa engines) powered the lightweight road legal race car to an astonishing 6:48 mins lap time. To put that in perspective for you, the lap record on the Nurburgring was set in 1984 by a Porsche 956. It set a time of 6:11.3 mins. The next fastest time was a 1983 BMW 832 race car (6:28.03 mins) and the 3rd fastest time around the Nurburgring is this Radical SR8LM!

Not bad for a hand built British car that cost from £89,000!! Check out the video below to see just how fast these awesome little Radicals are.

1.Radical SR8LM - 6:48mins - 19/08/2009

1.Radical SR8LM - 6:48mins - 19/08/2009
1.Radical SR8LM - 6:48mins - 19/08/2009

Radical SR8 lapping the Nurburgring

Conclusion

So this summer we see a new lap record for the legendary Nurburgring, and with the amount of testing currently happening at the track, expect to hear much much more from the German circuit for the foreseeable future.

To full understand the lap record by the Radical, it covered the 12.9mi in 408 seconds, which means it maintained an average speed of 113mph. If you watch the video above, imagine trying to average more than 75 mph and it'll scare you after a few mins. Then try and imagine it at over 110mph. Its an amazing track and if you ever get the chance to drive it, even in a hire care, take it because it's something to tell your grand kids about. Cost for 1 lap is about 15 Euros and your international insurance should cover your trip (although check with them before you go)

Which Is Your Favourite

Money is not important, which one would you go for?

  • 10.Porsche 911 GT2
  • 9.Porsche Carrera GT
  • 8.Nissan GT-R
  • 7.Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1
  • 6.Ferrari Enzo Ferrari
  • 5.Pagani Zonda F Clubsport
  • 4.Maserati MC12
  • 3.Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR
  • 2.Gumpert Apollo Speed
  • 1.Radical SR8LM
See results without voting

Comments

BristolBoy profile image

BristolBoy Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Very interesting. Good to see a British made car is the fastest!

WHoArtNow profile image

WHoArtNow Hub Author 2 years ago

@ BristolBoy - Defiantly mate, I'm waiting for Ultima to get a nice run at it, every time they book the track for an attempt, it rains!

thranax profile image

thranax Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago

Great Hub! Love the cars, don't normally take time to look into things about cars and this really was a treat indeed!

~thranax~

Ryster 2 years ago

Great hub, congratulations. Keep in the know about this because Nissan and Porsche are at war for 'Ring supremacy with the GTR and the GT3.

HarperSmith profile image

HarperSmith 2 years ago

Wow, great hub. Cool picture and information. GTR's are awesome.

vango21 2 years ago

Very cool track lot's of history there, I'D LOVE to take a few

laps it must of been awesome!!

pagani rules 2 years ago

pagani kick freakin arse they beat an enzo and aporche gt

julesgonz profile image

julesgonz 2 years ago

Great video! I love in car footage of the Ring. Keep up the good work.

Jules

http://www.julesgonzalez.com

boris 2 years ago

Yea - cool post.

Fast cars - best track - you don't need anything else!

If have a chance a would make a few laps with Nissan GT-R!

earnestshub profile image

earnestshub Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago

Another great car hub! Your spoiling me! I love this circuit, with production models it makes for better cars being produced to have this type of circuit.

The little ride around the circuit was a mind blower!

Thumbs up again!

peter lamboo 2 years ago

The Viper at a hundred grand. Not bad for a car that's worth about $300,000 less than the other cars. Third place for a true production car that is readily available at your neighborhood dodge dealership. You and I know we will never see the first and second place finishers on the street. Let's change the rules, to a minimum 1000 car per year to be eligibleto be classified as a true production car.NOT 50.

blucat 23 months ago

Yeah, I got to agree with Pete.

The fact is, that the fastest real stardard production car around the Nurburgring is a big Yank tank.

You know, the kind that Jeremy always says are crap and can't go around corners.

gidtset profile image

gidtset 23 months ago

@You are absolutely right.

DP 20 months ago

As someone who races a Radical Sr3 in the European masters championship, we were racing at the Nurburgring the weekend the Sr8 set the record. i imagine thats why Radical chose that particular weekend, to keep the costs down as they had all the factory race supply trucks on hand.

I have to say i agree with Pete, i dont really see my Radical as a production car and the car that set the record now races in the Euro Championship. Much as it pains to say it I am amazed that an agricultural big boat like the viper can be hustled round the "Ring" at such a rapid pace.

However i personally believe the true wonder here is the Nissan GTR. For the money this has got to be the car for all seasons, a Jap techno box at less than £60k, that can be driven everyday in all conditions and can lap the Ring within a second from the Enzo, gets my vote

DP

andrew fleming 20 months ago

just gotta say i love the viper so much to look at! beuty! by the way i dont even think the viper has a massive production output like, only so many were made so it isnt a case u can go to a dealership to get one! if anything the porches and nissans are really the true times of production on this list

Adam Benjamin 20 months ago

the acr viper srt10

Jimijams profile image

Jimijams 19 months ago

I thoroughly enjoy how car manufacturers are using this track as the testing ground for most performance cars in production. This track was unknown by many for the longest time.

Blake 19 months ago

You gotta admit, for the viper and Nissan GtR to be @ 100,000$ u.s and to be on the list, and the GTR is only V6, heaviest and only 480 HP, and has rear seats... Can't wait to see what the GTR spec V will do, I'm

Beating it be in top 3 and still be cheaper then the vett @ 130,000

Jason V 19 months ago

Viper is the best... Awesomesause...

Hint* you can drive it on the road legally :D

And does not cost tons.. You can get a viper for 25k and supe it up hehe.

WHoArtNow profile image

WHoArtNow Hub Author 19 months ago

@ Jason V - All these cars are road legal otherwise they wouldn't be production cars they'd be race cars.

Plus, I'd love to know where you can get a Viper SRT-10 ACR for $25k as they're special edition and expensive!

The ZR1 or the Nissan GTR are the best value.

????? 17 months ago

the fastest is the zonda r 6:47

WHoArtNow profile image

WHoArtNow Hub Author 17 months ago

@????? - Yes the Zonda R has done it in 6:47, but it's also not road legal! You put some full slicks on that radical and the time drops to low 6 minutes.

David 17 months ago

actually the 2011 GTR made a 7:24 which is now faster than the enzo and the zr1. you could now move it down 2 scales.

WHoArtNow profile image

WHoArtNow Hub Author 17 months ago

@David - I hadn't noticed that! Thanks, fast time for slightly wet conditions!

Oh and the 2012 is rumoured to have done 7:18:00!!!

noliis420 16 months ago

Best car on list is ZR1 hands down. toss up between ZR1 and GTR

william manzare 15 months ago

LOL thats a track car , not a street car

Trent 15 months ago

Say what you want, the radical is not a street car. Neither the the Apollo, but it is closer.

Viper ACR is a street legal race car.

GT-R is by far the best value and car tested. Least power, heaviest car, rear seats lol, V6 and in wet conditions put down one of the fastest recorded times ever.

ZR1 would probably be the most fun, I bet it could lay down alot better times but I've heard this car is extremely rear end happy.

My .02

simonmal 14 months ago

GT-R rules!! It's simply in a class of it's own and has the street-cred the other cars can only dream about. I think there is so much more to come from Nissan in the years ahead!

Wilbur De Souza 13 months ago

Pagani Zonda R 6:41 seconds around this track!!!!!!!!!

WHoArtNow profile image

WHoArtNow Hub Author 13 months ago

@Wilbur De Souza - Correct, but you'll also notice this is for production cars and there is nothing production or even road legal about the Zonda R! Therefore, sadly it doesn't count as a production car.

NQX profile image

NQX 13 months ago

Well written Hub, mate...late to the game I am (New to Hubpages), but was pleased to see this Hub, as the 'Ring is on my bucket list.

I wonder if someone will have a go with the Ariel V8?

Name: 13 months ago

awesome

bill 13 months ago

Great video. I would love to take the gumpert appolo around this track. It's an amazing machine

Quantum Flux 12 months ago

To the people that truly honestly believe that the GT-R is the heaviest car with the least power yet puts up those numbers, exactly what fairy magic do you believe is making that possible? LOL... grip? Yeah ok.

Something is very strange about the #s the GT-R puts up. You simply cant shatter the laws of physics. The car is a huge tub that weighs a ton. There is no way it has the power they claim. The Japanese routinely under-report HP.

The #s are what they are and Im not disputing that, and the car is a great value for anyone who can get past the horrendous styling, but there is no way it makes the #s it does, at the weight it is, with the power they claim.

The ring runs should have a dyno run recorded, always on the same dyno, prior to the run with all environmental conditions recorded for reference.

Interiorman 12 months ago

Quantum Flux: In the case of the GT-R, its less about under reporting numbers and more about technological breakthroughs. The GT-R is balanced well, has strong breaks, ideal gearing (optimized for the Ring in my opinion) and most importantly a dual clutch transmission which ensure's almost no power loss during gear changes. When you add all this up (shorter breaking distances + no power loss during acceleration) over 20Km in a course that requires frequent breaking and accelerating, the GT-R will run well against the big boys with a lot more power and less weight. But in a straight line top speed shoot out the GT-R will lose big time. Trust me when I say this as I am an owner of a 2009 GT-R. It's a great car in terms of value, but I would not discount any of the other car's on this list. Whenever the Corvette folks develop a good dual clutch transmission, look out as this car will easily shed 10 or more seconds of their lap time.

ERIC 12 months ago

ok the radical is so not a street car. its a race car. it only can hold 1 person. that not a useful streetcar. but it is very cool!

WHoArtNow profile image

WHoArtNow Hub Author 12 months ago

@ Eric - It might be a race car, but it's in production and it's fully road legal so it counts!

Viperx10 11 months ago

The Radical is a race car and it's not street legal except for one model (which probably wasn't the one that did the record) and only in England.

This is a great Hub but keep in mind that we are on the web and people from all over the world are viewing it, not only in England.

The Maserati and the Gumpert are also not street legal in the US (not sure about the Zonda).

So that leaves only Porsche, Viper, Corvette and GTR (For the status of world's fastest production based street car).

For information, I believe the 2011 GT2 RS has done a better laptime and might be the winner at this point (June 2011).

I am very interested in (and I've been following) these numbers for a long time as we produce a modified version of the Viper (Viper X10) that is still street legal, but totally track oriented and if we had the budget we would love to test it at the ring.

Great HUB. Thanks.

WHoArtNow profile image

WHoArtNow Hub Author 11 months ago

@viperx10 - The Radical is street legal in all of Europe if registered in the UK and when they did the speed run, the owner of Radical drove all the way from their base in the UK, to the 'Ring and back again afterwards (he enjoyed the Autobahn just a little bit too much!)

Plus, the Zonda is road legal in the USA, so is the Gumpert (in most states). The MC12 is a special case, yes it's not road legal as standard, but in most countries (Europe and the USA this applies) you can modify it to be road legal without effecting the down-force and power too much.

From what I understand, a lot of the cars on this list are pretty hard to get cleared in California!

Victor D 9 months ago

The Radical SR8LM driver put his hands up the dress of the Nurburgring and kept it there. Great Lap absolutely astonishing!!! To be honest watching that lap made me feel scared for you, Fcuking Great!!!

Kenjapan 9 months ago

Woow moat of cheap sports car was there like GTR CORVETTE and VIPER..it awesome

CDiNozzo 8 months ago

The Nissan GTR for sure.. Good looking with that price and the speed.. I would Spend on that without thinking twice.. It is good to drive on any occasion

taz 8 months ago

This is old data it should be updated with the latest info

taz 8 months ago

Lexus LFA is not on the list

love japan 8 months ago

LFA!!

pfft 8 months ago

2010 Viper!!

jimmmy 8 months ago

this is bullshit http://www.fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.htm

Milan 7 months ago

The 2012 Corvette ZR1 should be in the 2nd place, it does it 7:19 check it out on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yKb6iSWc0k

duckfoot92 7 months ago

@NQX I think if they used the Ariel Atom V8. it would just wipe the floors with the other cars

al 6 months ago

The Nissan GTR is only $84,000 last i saw.

Axelon 6 months ago

i would take Ariel Atom V8, i assume it will take Radical SR8LM place. ;)

but i wonder why it doesn't list on it.

Luke 4 months ago

Nissan GTR would be my choice, it costs less aswell as you can take the kids around the track in under 8mins haha, it doesnt need 8,10 or 12 cylinders 6 is enough, plus it was the base model that set the time

Blaze 4 months ago

Lol this is old news....there's plenty of new times xD

viper madness 2 months ago

The 2011 Viper ACR posted a time of 7:12:13 still not the fastest but not bad for a $100k street legal car. c'mon 2013 SRT Viper ACR!!!!

Avery 2 months ago

what about the ariel atom?

kel21 8 weeks ago

Just wait til the new viper Comes out it will retake its place as #1

Thurston Manuel 6 weeks ago

The Porsche has my vote! Even at a time set 1:42:2 seconds slower than the Radical and being right at the top of the list; l recon its right at the top of mine as well... But AWESOME is the mighty GTR under wet conditions. It is impressive but does not have the finesse of the Porsche.

jbpsti 6 weeks ago

all these idiots voting for the gtr. Money is not an issue why would u take a gtr just because u saw fast and the furious u have no knowledge of cars and are retarded. Ferrari enzo hands down. Then I could sell that and buy like 10 gtrs. Stop posting crap when u have no knowledge of cars nonetheless could any of u handle the power of any of these cars.

mike 7 days ago

the last car is just a race car

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