Skip advert
Advertisement

New Ring record

Porsche and Dunlop set a new record lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife

The never-ending contest for bragging rights at the Nürburgring has taken another step forward, with a new record time set.

Rather than the usual scrap between the Porsche 911 and Nissan GT-R or arguments over how much of a production car the Radical SR8LM actually is, this is a whole new tack on the usual Ring story – the Porsche Cayenne Turbo is the quickest SUV around the famed Nordschleife.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It was piloted round courtesy of Dunlop, the tyre company promoting its latest product, the SP Quattromaxx. It’s rubber designed especially for big SUVs, but the choice of launch location is evidence that off-road ability isn’t key in this class. Instead, the Quattromaxx is designed to maximise driver feedback and boost both wet and dry grip with a trick double tread compound.

A 493bhp, 2.3-ton Cayenne is one of the best cars to demonstrate the new rubber, a car with one of the biggest battles against physics, especially around the Ring. With Porsche Supercup racer Patrick Simon at the helm, a record lap was set on the first attempt – an 8min 35.5sec – but a couple more goes ensured an 8.33.99, a pretty tough time to beat, being just 17sec shy of the infinitely lighter and more nimble Renaultsport Mégane R26.R.

Keep your eyes on evo.co.uk, as we’ll have a video of the record soon. As a taster, see Michael Vergers' smashing the old record at the Ring in the Radical SR8

Follow evo Magazine on Twitter for the performance car latest

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Used Porsche Cayenne (2010-2017) review – not the prettiest SUV, but a remarkably capable one
Porsche Cayenne – front
In-depth reviews

Used Porsche Cayenne (2010-2017) review – not the prettiest SUV, but a remarkably capable one

It might be big and ugly, but the second-gen Cayenne is a sporty SUV with real depth and ability – particularly in GTS form
26 Mar 2025
Porsche Cayenne 2025 review – still the king of sporty SUVs?
Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid – front
In-depth reviews

Porsche Cayenne 2025 review – still the king of sporty SUVs?

There's clear sporting DNA in the latest Cayenne, evident in the base car and right up to the 729bhp Turbo E-Hybrid. Is it good enough to tempt you ou…
21 Mar 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 2025 review – the ultimate analogue hypercar
GMA T.50 front
Reviews

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 2025 review – the ultimate analogue hypercar

The GMA T.50 is the car we thought would never come: Gordon Murray's sequel to the ultimate hypercar, the McLaren F1
26 Apr 2025