Lap times at the Nurburgring are a controversial subject for many PHers, and it's easy to understand why. But there are times, like right now, that you just can't avoid them.
Can the 895kg 4C post a quick time?
But to which manufacturer's effort am I referring this time?
Is it Chevrolet, spotted testing a new Stingray-based test mule that could well be the next-generation Z06? Maybe it's Honda's new Civic Type-R? The Alfa Romeo 4C? Nissan has also been very busy with an awesome-looking car that we all believe to be the R35 GT-R NISMO. As devastatingly fast as it looks right now, actually no.
They've all been here this week, but all the discussion is currently about two cars that are both attempting to grab some headlines. The 887hp Porsche 918 Spyder and the even-more-stupendously-spec'd McLaren P1 have been testing hard here at the Nurburgring. These are a new breed of supercar and they could be quicker than anything we've ever seen before (as long as the 6min 48sec Radical SR8 LM is ignored, which isn't type-approved as a road car).
Porsche preps its GT-R NISMO challenger...
A little over 10 years ago a sub-eight lap time of the 'ring was deemed phenomenal. Then, egged on no doubt by the GT-R's antics, the lap times dipped even lower and cars like the Viper ACR and Corvette ZR1 actually headed into the low teens. Fanboys frothed at the mouth, James May derided the times as irrelevant.
What's interesting right now is how silent the Porsche and McLaren camps are. Both have been testing during industry pool and big-bucks private sessions on the Nordschleife. Both cars have been spotted with pro drivers doing hot laps followed by cool-down laps, a sure sign that there's a lap time effort being made. Helicopters have hovered, GoPros have been attached.
But in this age of social media I'm really lucky to have spoken to people both directly and indirectly involved in both testing groups, and one thing seems clear: a sub-seven lap is on the cards. One particular nugget of information was dished out regarding the P1; "Without a sub-seven lap time, we probably won't even mention we were at the Nurburgring."
All eyes are on the P1 for now
The last and only 'production' car to achieve that kind of pace was the Radical SR8 LM, which is hardly a machine you could cruise Mayfair in. Although its £80K price actually looks cheap compared to the £1m-plus P1!
But what would does it mean to us, the car-obsessed fans who read about these endeavours? Lap times from the 'ring are like reading about celebrity weddings and divorces. Sure, it's interesting if you like the brand or celeb involved, but isn't it just totally irrelevant? I'd really like to hear from you guys though. What does it mean if either of these hypercars can dip under seven? Everything or nothing?
[Sources: McLaren pics by Ring-bilder.de, GT-R video by MonsterChannel24 via YouTube]
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