Porsche 918 Spyder smashes Nurburgring record

By: Sudhir Matai

The all-new Porsche 918 Spyder has achieved a time of exactly six minutes and 57 seconds around the world famous Nurburgring racetrack. The super sportscar, equipped with a hybrid drive, shaved 14 seconds off the previous record. The Spyder has just made its global début at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The record, which was previously held for four years, was even broken during the first attempt in the test drive on the morning of September 4. All three drivers – former rally champion Walter Röhrl, Porsche test driver Timo Kluck and Porsche factory driver Marc Lieb – were quicker than the existing record with each lap while driving the two 918 Spyder models used, and posted lap times of less than seven minutes on numerous occasions.

Ultimately, it was Marc Lieb who posted the absolute best time of 6 min 57, driving at an average speed of 179,5 km/h, as measured by Wige Solutions. Marcus Schurig, editor-in-chief of sportscar magazine sport auto, was on hand as an objective observer of the record-breaking runs. The Spyder examples on the day, which deliver an output of 652 kW, were equipped with the optional “Weissach package” to increase the driving dynamics, and lead out on the standard Michelin tyres developed specifically for the 918 Spyder.

You can watch the entire run from an on-board camera here.


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