2018 911 GT3 Sets New Best Lap Time

GT3 laps Nordschleife over 12 seconds faster than previous model.

The new 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 has celebrated its debut on the Nürburgring with a lap time of 7 minutes, 12.7 seconds on the legendary Nordschleife. The track-bred 911 bested the time set by the previous model by 12.3 seconds.

“The new 911 GT3 not only offers the maximum amount of driving pleasure, but with this lap time we have emphatically proven that it also delivers an impressive performance on the Nordschleife,” says Frank-Steffen Walliser, VP of Motorsport and GT cars, at Porsche. “The focus was on optimizing the drivability and adapting the car to the slight increase in engine power.”

‘A few years ago, lap times like this could only ever be achieved
by thoroughbred race cars with slick tires.’

“A few years ago, lap times like this could only ever be achieved by thoroughbred race cars with slick tires,” adds Andreas Preuninger, Director, GT Product Line. “The new GT3 achieves this with comparatively modest power, and is still fully suitable for everyday use.”

The 911 GT3 also relies more on pure racing technology than the previous model. Its same basic 500 horsepower, high-revving, naturally aspirated flat-six engine can also be found in the 911 GT3 Cup race car. Equipped with rear-axle steering, a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung dual-clutch transmission, and Michelin Sport Cup 2 N1 tires, the GT3 took to the track in the Eifel region production specifications. With an ambient temperature of 46 degrees Fahrenheit and a track temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit, conditions for Porsche test driver Lars Kern were ideal. The street-legal rear-wheel-drive coupe recorded its best lap time in the presence of a notary public.

“If you can drive fast on the Nordschleife, you can drive fast anywhere in the world,” concludes Walliser.