Category: Porsche

Porsche has done something it doesn’t normally do; release onboard video to support a claimed Nürburgring lap time. In this instance it’s the 294kW 3.8 litre 991 911 Carrera S lapping the Nordschleife in 7 minutes 37.9 seconds.

Previously, Porsche had claimed the same car lapped the Ring in 7:40, so this is a pretty handy effort from a sniffling Timo Kluck.

According to the unofficial database of lap times held on Wikipedia this is where the 991 Carrera S sits:

• 7:33 – 997.2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (2010)
• 7:34 – Koenigsegg CCR (2005)
• 7:37.9 – 991 Porsche 911 Carrera S (2012)
• 7:38 – Lexus LFA (2010)
• 7:38 – 997 Porsche 911 Turbo (2008)

Last week we reported at AUSringers that Porsche had claimed a 7 minute 14 second lap time for its 918 Spyder hybrid.

Since then Porsche has added a handful of new photos—all available here as 2000px super images—and explained a little more about the time recorded.

They say the 918 set its lap time on a one-off lap, set from a standing start. The test car was running Michelin road tyres and was also fitted with the optional Weissach Package, which boosts power to over 795hp.

A trio of barely disguised prototype 991 Porsche 911s have just been spied in Spain. Two of them appear to be the next-generation 911 GT3. The front splitter, centre-exit exhaust and rear wing being the most obvious styling cues.

It looks as though the new GT3 will run 245/35/20s up front and 305/40/20s at the back. Apparently all three test cars were fitted with PDK transmissions, featuring paddle shifters on their steering wheels. Please, Porsche, don’t make the GT3 a PDK only option.

According to the Porsche engineers, who were kind enough to chat to the photofrapher, the GT3 mules were running regular steel brakes with six-pot calipers at the front and four-pots at the rear.

The test posse were testing on local roads before heading to the Circuito Calafat for some track action.

So, any guesses as to what the third model 911 in the fleet might be—a Carrera GTS perhaps? Maybe not.

[Source: Collaverglas via GT Spirit | Thanks to Paul for the tip]

Following the appearance of a leaked brochure and numerous videos of the Porsche 918 hitting YouTube, most showing the car being photographed on and around the Nürburgring, we reckon the official word on the super Spyder is not far away.

We’ve put a few video clips together for you so you can see more of the 918 and hear its 3.4 litre V8, which provides 570hp from the hybrid’s 770hp total. Of course, you can’t really hear too many sounds when the Spyder potters around Nürburg in electric mode.