One of the world’s newest supercars, the McLaren MP4-12C, has unofficially lapped the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 28 seconds. The time was recorded by respected German magazine Sport Auto.
Perhaps McLaren would secretly wish for a faster time, as the mighty Mac is around 16 seconds slower than the Dodge Viper ACR, 12 seconds slower than the Lexus LFA and 10 seconds slower than a Porsche 911 GT2 RS. At least it’s four seconds faster than a Ferrari 458 Italia.
UPDATE: Official video from McLaren Automotive has been added below, which confirms the Sport Auto lap time and includes a few words from their noted test driver Horst von Saurma.
[Source: Teamspeed]
6 replies on “McLaren MP4-12C laps Nürburgring in 7:28”
Interesting to note that all three cars mentioned in the second para of the article above are missing from McLaren’s lap time list at the end of the video. The Dodge possibly makes sense as it’s not still in production. But the Lexus and the Porsche?
We’ve read elsewhere as well that von Saurma, as good as he is, may not be at the same level as a dedicated McLaren test driver. Is there another 10 seconds that could be shaved off the 7:28 lap time?
It’s also been reported the Sport Auto time was done using Pirelli PZero Corsa semi-slick tyres.
And let’s not forget one’s dented pride at being overtaken by normal tyre clad GTR either
lol at the GTR!!!
I think i would still take a GTR over the MP4.
It’s never fair comparing manufacturer’s time to HvS. Having said that, HvS did 7:24 in the GT2RS so the Porsche is still king. HvS has not driven the Nur edition Lexus afaik, but he did lap the ring in 7:38 in the normal version of the Lexus if memory serves me correctly.
I heard the MP4 was on standard tyres while lapping the Nurburgring. Impressive stuff!!
Just to put this in context — which I have noticed a lot of car sites haven’t — the lap time was done on standard tyres and in damp conditions. The standard tyres the Mclaren uses are Pirelli Pzeros. Not to mention he only did one lap. It has also been stated that, that is the fastest time he has done in any car with standard tyres.
In other words, the lap times are going to light up when it uses a good set of slick tyres and is in ideal conditions.