Mercedes-AMG GT sedan reclaims Nurburgring record from Porsche

Mercedes-Benz has snatched the production luxury car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife back from Porsche, but it’s complicated.

Back in August, the upgraded 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo S claimed a new ‘executive car’ track record at the notorious 20.832km, 73-corner German toll road.

Matching the pace of supercars like the Nissan GT-R and new Chevrolet C8 Corvette, the big Porsche sedan’s time of 7:29.81 was a full 13 seconds better than the model it replaced, thanks to an upgraded 463kW/820Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and other chassis tweaks.

In fact, Porsche also ‘optimised’ the Panamera Turbo with software tweaks to its steering and active suspension, and also fitted specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

At the time, the new official record set by the 2021 Porsche Panamera was still shaded by that of its chief rival, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-Door, which previously set a time of 7:25.41 under an old timing regime that stopped the clock 232 metres earlier.

Now, Benz is claiming a new “notarised” luxury class Nurburgring record for the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-Door, which features “newly tuned elastokinematics and other fine-tuning measures”.

AMG development engineer and former racer Demian Schaffert beat his own previous lap record set in 2018 by 2.3 seconds, with an officially measured time of 7:23.00 for the 20.6km version of the Nordschleife (without straight-line measurement for the section of track at Turn 13).

More importantly, Mercedes-AMG says he also lapped the full 20.832km circuit (with straight-line measurement at T13) in a new record time of 7:27.80 – two seconds better than the Porsche.

Naturally, AMG is now keen to talk up the victory over its German arch-rival.

“Exactly this variant and this lap time is officially listed by Nurburgring GmbH on their homepage,” said Daimler’s performance brand. “Mercedes-AMG has thus impressively regained the crown in this class after only three months.”

It’s worth noting the record-setting 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+, which employs a 470kW/900Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, was also fitted with sticky Michelin Cup 2 tyres and a high-stability aero package, both of which are optional.

It was also equipped with a racing seat with four-point harness, and AMG said conditions were far from optimal, with a track temperature of just 7 degrees Celsius and wet spots on some corners.

“Even though I’ve been accompanying our GT 63 through its development for several years now, it’s always impressive to see the wide spread we have been able to achieve with this exclusive vehicle,” said Schaffert.

“This is especially true after the recent slight revision. On the one hand, the four-door coupe is comfortable and equipped with many intelligent safety features for everyday driving, and on the other hand it offers this extremely high level of driving dynamics and precision, which we have now been able to demonstrate once again on the demanding Nordschleife.”

For the train-spotters, Mercedes-AMG also issued this statement explaining why there are two differently timed laps for the Nurburgring-Nordschleife:

“The Nurburgring-Nordschleife is regarded as the most difficult racetrack in the world and is included in every new development by Mercedes-AMG. A record lap is therefore the most demanding test of the qualities of a sports car. The times are determined for two track alternatives – 20.6 and 20.832 kilometres long.

“Since 1997, the 20.6-kilometre circuit has been the measure of all things. The specialist magazine sport auto from the Motor Presse Stuttgart publishing house drives this circuit as part of their so-called “Supertest”.

“For historical reasons, the short straight at the T13 grandstand – from the turnoff from the Nordschleife to the Grand Prix circuit to the exit of the Grand Prix circuit onto the Nordschleife – was not included in the timing.

“The starting line is therefore at the end of the T13 grandstand in a northerly direction and the finish line is at the beginning of the T13 grandstand in a southerly direction. Therefore, no complete lap is measured after the flying start. The total length of the course is exactly 20.6 kilometres.

“In 2019 the official Nurburgring lap was added. It was organised by the operating company “Nürburgring 1927 GmbH & Co. KG” and is 232 metres longer, because the start and finish line are identical here, also on the T13 section, so a full Nordschleife lap of 20.832 kilometres is driven and measured with a flying start.”

And in case you’re wondering whether Porsche will hit back at Mercedes-AMG’s new luxury car lap record at the Nurburgring with the more powerful new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid it revealed last month, the answer is no.

Despite offering GT2 levels of power (514kW) and even more torque (850Nm), the electric-boosted Panamera Turbo S is heavier and therefore not as quick as the regular Turbo S.