Autoblog

Porsche 911 GT3 RS reportedly laps the 'Ring in 7:33

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - click above image for hi-res gallery

Another day, another Nurburgring time report! These posts are fun for a wide variety of reasons, not the last of which is the outpouring of love and understanding showered upon me whenever I link to my pal Jack's fascinating article on what 'Ring records really mean (hint: not much). Still, what is good about Nordschleife times (and the reason why we report on them) is that it gives you a good general idea of how a car performs under the most adverse and challenging conditions possible (barring weather). Green Hell, it's said, is a bitch.

And the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (you know - the funny looking one with the pink lipstick) just lapped it in seven minutes and thirty-three seconds. Very impressive. That's almost a full minutes faster than a Chevy Cobalt SS. Er, it's almost nearly as fast as Godzilla, which can get around the Nurburgring's north track in 7:27. What's most impressive about the GT3 RS's time is the absence of forced induction and AWD. Remember, there's a 3.8-liter flat-six out back producing 450 horsepower and the car weighs very little - especially when compared to the porcine GT-R.

No word on if the record was set with PASM on or off, though we imagine off. Also, and this is going to be of special note to you Porsche fanboys, when the nameless Porsche test engineer ran the 7:33, he did it in light traffic. Meaning that Porsche feels the theoretical best for the GT3 RS is right around 7:30, whatever that means.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

[Source: EVO]

Porsche 911 GT3 RS reportedly laps the 'Ring in 7:33 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW resurrecting the M3 CSL?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW

We're not sure what to believe anymore. A bit over a year ago, reports surfaced that BMW was planning a successor to the E90-generation M3 CSL, a highly coveted, track-focused version of its legendary sports coupe. Within a month, the Bavarian automaker had announced that it was canceling the program. And then these photos show up.

This M3 test mule was seen lapping the Nürburgring with a host of modifications and little in the way of camouflage. Knowing full well that the Nordschleife is swarming with more papparazi than Lindsay Lohan's front lawn, the Bavarians had to know we'd start asking questions. The car in question appears to be sporting a big front splitter, giant rear wing, a wider track housing bigger wheels and semi-slick tires. Underneath, reports suggest the 4.0-liter V8 benefits from new valves and a carbon-fiber airbox to deliver some 470 horsepower.

Call it an M3 CSL or a roadgoing M3 GT4, but with Audi's upcoming RS5 just around the corner, the smart money's on BMW putting up a fight of some kind.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: BMW resurrecting the M3 CSL? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Lexus LF-A back on 'Ring wearing white

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Lexus

Looks like the Lexus LF-A (LF-L?) might be closer to production than we had thought. The gang at NextAutos just posted spy pics of a very production-ready-looking white LF-A doing some more hotlapping at the Nordschleife.

Although this ages-in-the-making supercar has been trotted out at several auto shows and twice been raced in the 24 hour endurance race 'round the 'Ring, it wasn't until recently that Toyota President Akio Toyoda confirmed it for production and even stated that it will be sold in the good ole U.S. of A.

Rumors have suggested that the car might go on sale in the UK as early as October with a price tag around £250,000. At that price we might have to settle for piloting this 550-hp, V10 beast virtually in Need for Speed SHIFT. Until then, click over to NextAutos.com for a full gallery.

[Source: NextAutos.com]

Spy Shots: Lexus LF-A back on 'Ring wearing white originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Lexus LF-A racer gets its obligatory split-screen Nürburgring run on

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lexus

Lexus LF-A on the Nürburgring Nordschleife - click image above to watch the video

This is fun. There's no "record" or anything like that at stake, just one man - Takayuki Kinoshita - and one supercar beating the stuffing out of each other on Germany's all too well known Nürburgring Nordschleife. The supercar in question is the soon-to-be-released Lexus LF-A with its mighty, F1 of yore sounding V10 power plant. We've seen the LF-A on der 'Ring before, but this vid still merits watching. Plus, Kinoshita (we're assuming) narrates the entire thing (sadly, we speak no Japanese).

The video is a three-screen setup with one camera pointed at the track, one on Mr. Kinoshita and a third graphical segment showing exactly where the big Lexus is on the North Track. Plus there's lots of fun around the 3:15 mark when he runs into traffic - lucky for Takayuki that no one was throwing black flags for hand gestures. In fact, traffic is a theme throughout the nearly ten minute video, as he gets bogged down repeatedly. Also, you need to check him out on The Carousel as its legendarily horrid pavement tries to shake his head off his spine. Full video after the jump. Hat tip to Ricardo!

Continue reading VIDEO: Lexus LF-A racer gets its obligatory split-screen Nürburgring run on

VIDEO: Lexus LF-A racer gets its obligatory split-screen Nürburgring run on originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: On board the Radical SR8LM's record-setting Nürburgring lap

Noah Joseph — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Videos, Specialty

Radical SR8LM sets the Nürburgring lap record - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Some of the best sportscars on the road are those derived from racing machinery. But by the time you take them back to the racetrack...well, that's just backwards thinking. At least, that's how it seems when you look at the Radical SR8LM. Instead of making life imitate art that's imitating life, Radical cut the shortest distance from A to B. The SR8LM is that product, and as you may have heard, it holds the new record for the fastest lap time at the Nürburgring.

Okay, so it's not so practical. But then, neither are most of the extreme performance machines out there. So instead of splitting hairs, how about climbing on board the Suzuki Hayabusa-engined street-legal Le Mans prototype-style racer-for-the-road and watch it raise the bar yet again. Sound good? Then follow the jump to watch the video. But you might want to watch it before eating, not after, because while the Radical may look ready to win races, it may also make you lose your lunch.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: On board the Radical SR8LM's record-setting Nürburgring lap

VIDEO: On board the Radical SR8LM's record-setting Nürburgring lap originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radical SR8LM sets new Nürburgring record at 6:48

Noah Joseph — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Performance

Radical SR8LM at the 'Ring - Click above for image gallery

What's the best way to set the fastest lap time for a street legal car? Make it as close to a race car as possible. And that's exactly what British carmaker Radical does best. They've held the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record since running their SR8 there in 2005, setting a 6:55 lap time that remains well out of reach for anything less, well...radical, including the Dodge Viper ACR's 7:22.1 and the Gumpert Apollo Speed's 7:11.5 from just a few days ago. But never content to let their record stand, Radical headed back to Eiffel to raise the bar even further.

Upgrading on the 360 horsepower SR8 that set the record four years ago, the SR8LM was introduced in 2007 with a 455 hp modified Suzuki Hayabusa engine mounted in a compact Le Mans Prototype-style body. But despite its racecar styling and tarmac-scraping ride height, the Radical is completely street legal. Somewhere. As proof, Michael Vergers drove it down from the factory in England all the way to the vaunted German circuit, and within 24 hours, he had set the new record. The 6:48 lap time, a full eight seconds quicker than Radical's previous record, was verified by Germany's Sport Auto and England's Evo magazines using Dunlop racing slicks. Check out the press release after the jump for more details and the photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Radical SR8LM at the Nurburgring

[Source: Radical]

Continue reading Radical SR8LM sets new Nürburgring record at 6:48

Radical SR8LM sets new Nürburgring record at 6:48 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Gumpert Apollo Sport sets new production car lap "record" at Nürburgring

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:19:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe

Gumpert Apollo Sport at the Nurburgring - Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche GT2? Get lost. Godzilla? Scram. Corvette ZR1? Take a hike. Dodge Viper ACR? Nothing but a big sissy. There's a new sheriff in Nordschleifeland and its name is Apollo, Gumpert Apollo. Actually, the proper name is Gumpert Apollo Sport, and on August 13, one piloted by a 26-year-old named Florian Gruber ran around the Nurburgring in 7:11:57, shattering all the other production car "records" by eleven seconds or more. Dang, right?

What makes the Apollo sport so fraggin' fast you ask? How does a 700-hp, twin-turbo'd Audi 4.2-liter FSI V8 strike you? Makes a bit more sense suddenly that little David here was able to chop down all those Goliaths, right? Anyhow, hats off to Mr. Gruber, Mr. Gumpert and the rest of the crew. Here's hoping that one day some sort of governing body sanctions 'Ring times. And we won't say a word to Radical and their "record."

Gallery: Gumpert Apollo Sport Nurburgring

[Source: World Car Fans]

REPORT: Gumpert Apollo Sport sets new production car lap "record" at Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Devon GTX chasing the production car 'Ring record

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance

Why it was just last week that we talked about the Devon GTX "setting" the one lap "record" at Laguna Seca. We actually got on the horn and called Devon, ~~begging~~ asking for a detail or two about the GTX's upcoming reveal at Pebble Beach in just four short days (August 15). All we could get out of 'em is that yes, the GTX has a V10 under its hood -- and that was all they'd say. "Everything will be revealed" come Pebble Beach. Oh yeah?

Spy photographers working for Autocar caught some nice shots of the GTX at -- you guessed it -- the Nurburgring. According to the Brit pub, Devon is going after the production Nurburgring time (6:55) currently held by the Radical SR8 (which hardly qualifies as a "production car," but whatevs). Our British friends also speculate that the GTX has an all carbon fiber body to keep its weight low, low, low. Also: Justin Bell, son of five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell, was at the wheel for the 'Ring attempt. We believe that last part 100% as Devon told us Justin was the driver for the Laguna Seca "record."

Obvioulsy, it's not August 15 yet but it's safe to assume a big part of the GTX's launch is going to be how it did on the Nurburgring. As Tom Leykis says, "Do you care?" Either way, that's marketing for you.

One more little point: As we learned last week, the GTX's one lap Laguna Seca time was one tenth of a second faster than the Dodge Viper ACR. Laguna Seca is two miles long, the Nordschleife section of the Nurburgring is fourteen miles long. Taking all the other variables off the table and the GTX could run the 'Ring about half a second quicker than the Viper ACR. To refresh your memory banks, the Viper ACR did the deed in 7:22, and the GTX is chasing 6:55.

[Source: Autocar]

Spy Shots: Devon GTX chasing the production car 'Ring record originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fun while it lasted: Porsche Panamera Turbo reportedly tops Cadillac CTS-V's 'Ring record

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Cadillac, Porsche

2010 Porsche Panamera - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been just over a year since Cadillac captured the title of fastest production four-door car when John Heinricy circulated the Nürburgring's north loop with a CTS-V in under eight minutes. Considering the pace of leap-frogging between the Nissan GT-R, Corvette ZR1 and Viper ACR it's a bit surprising that it took this long for someone to top the super-Caddy. What's not surprising is that it was a Porsche that finally outran the CTS-V.

Now that the four-door Porsche Panamera has been thrust upon the world, it was only a matter of time before one the test drivers from Weissach brought the crown back to the fatherland. The 500-horsepower Panamera Turbo lapped the Nordschleife in 7 minutes, 56 seconds, 3 seconds faster than the Cadillac.

When Heinricy set his 7:59 time last year, it was done in an automatic CTS-V in a single hot lap at the end of a test session. With any luck, we'll see Heinricy or perhaps one of the Corvette C6.R drivers like Johnny O'Connell head back to the Eiffel mountains for another go.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Porsche Panamera

All Photos Copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: TopSpeed]

Fun while it lasted: Porsche Panamera Turbo reportedly tops Cadillac CTS-V's 'Ring record originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone Mantide owner eyeing Corvette ZR1 Nürburgring record run?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Supercars, Specialty

Bertone Mantide - Click above for high-res image gallery

Some coachbuilt custom supercars are all show. But the owner of a Bertone Mantide is eager to prove that his has got the go to back up his show. Dan Watkins, the British gentleman-racer who bought the first Mantide, is so eager, in fact, that he's pondering personally financing a run at the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's Nürburgring lap record. And there's every reason to believe his car could reach that goal.

At 7 minutes, 26.4 seconds, the 2009 ZR1 holds the current lap record for a stock, street-legal, series production automobiles (excluding such track-focused machinery as the Viper ACR and Radical SR8). Nissan has its eyes on the ZR1 and is closing in fast, but as delicate and fragile as it may look, the Mantide arguably stands the best chance of besting the supercharged Vette's time - mostly because it's based on the ZR1. Only it's 80kg (176 pounds) lighter and 30% more aerodynamic, thanks to the improvements made to the body by Jason Castriota and his team at Stile Bertone.

To test the theory, Watkins is mulling renting out the 'Ring for three days, hiring an expert Nordschleife driver, and of course, donating the use of his $2 million supercar. All in pursuit of the ultimate bragging rights. If it happens, well, be watching.

Gallery: Bertone Mantide

[Source: PistonHeads]

Bertone Mantide owner eyeing Corvette ZR1 Nürburgring record run? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan reportedly preparing Nürburgring edition 370Z for the European market

Noah Joseph — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Nissan, Specialty

Nissan 370Z - Click above for a high-res image gallery

While Nissan has been trying to master the Nürburgring in its flagship GT-R supercar, it was the one-rung-down 370Z which the Japanese automaker fielded at the track's 24-hour race last month. To commemorate the occasion, Nissan is reportedly preparing to drop a special commemorative edition of its 370Z on the European market.

Although photos are still unavailable at this time, the Nissan 370Z Nürburgring edition is apparently set to be differentiated by a set of 19-inch OZ Racing alloys wrapped in Dunlop rubber, a sport exhaust system and the requisite batch of special badges. Only 80 examples will be made, each individually numbered, and the model will apparently only be available in yellow. And just to sweeten the deal, Nissan is throwing in a gift card good for over $200 of track time on the Nordschleife.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Nissan 370Z

[Source: CarScoop ]

Nissan reportedly preparing Nürburgring edition 370Z for the European market originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus LF-A dons new livery ahead of Nürburgring 24-hour race

Alex Nunez — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Supercars, Lexus

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Lexus LF-A Nürburgring 24 racer

This time last year, the Lexus LF-A that competed in the ADAC Nürburgring 24 wore a decidedly un-glamorous "test-mule matte black" finish. This year, Toyota's entering two of its ten-cylinder supercars in the race, and as we inch closer to the Lexus LF-A's eventual production debut, it would seem that the automaker is looking to give the race-trimmed version a more formalized livery -- white up front, with a brush-stroke transition to satin black in the rear. Probably a good idea, seeing as Toyota's new head honcho, Akio Toyoda, is on one of the driver teams. Can't have the big boss rolling like every other test engineer who laps the 'Ring with this monster.

The production headlamp shape is cleverly hidden, though if you look closely, you can see the familial, knife-shaped panels that outline the spots where the production lenses will reside. And while there's a lower intake above the racer's front splitter, there's no grillework to speak of on the actual nose itself -- just a mail-slot-sized opening above the bumper.

It'll be interesting to see how hard Toyota pushes the LF-As this weekend. Given that the new corporate chieftan is one of the wheelmen, and that Toyota's obviously going for a much more "official" presence at this year's race, one wonders whether they're actually going to try and win it outright. A lot can happen during these 24-hour events, so there are no guarantees, but we have a feeling the web stream's going to be a worthwhile watch. And lord knows the fans in attendance are in for an aural delight as the Lexus supercoupes storm down the track.

Gallery: 2009 Lexus LF-A Nurburgring 24 Livery

Lexus LF-A dons new livery ahead of Nürburgring 24-hour race originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revised Nissan GT-R clocks 7:27.56 lap time at the Nürburgring

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Nissan

2010 Nissan GT-R at the Nurburgring - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Enough is never enough. Not when you're talking supercars and Nürburgring lap times. As if enough jaws weren't dropped when Nissan posted their fantastic initial time of 7:29 around the vaunted Nordschleife (besting Porsche's best), the automaker's engineers went back to the garage looking for a little extra for 2010. They came back with a slightly updated version, with five extra horsepower and revised dual-clutch transmission with updated launch control, plus a bigger fuel tank, new tires and a retuned suspension. So what effect would these modifications have on the GT-R's 'Ring run? About a second and a half off the record, which now stands for the Japanese supercar at an awe-inspiring 7:27.56.

According to Nissan, the time was posted using a 2010 GT-R with the optional V-Spec wheels and tires, driven by former F1 tester Toshio Suzuki. Fantastic as that time is, it's still another second short of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's 7:26.4 (to say nothing of the Dodge Viper ACR's 7:22.1), so Nissan will be back at it. And without the dirt and dust which the Japanese team says was coating the track to impede its lap time, they figure they just might find enough extra speed to claim the record. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan GT-R sets 7:27.56 Ring lap time

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Revised Nissan GT-R clocks 7:27.56 lap time at the Nürburgring

Revised Nissan GT-R clocks 7:27.56 lap time at the Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Magic Ringdom: themepark planned for the N�rburgring

Noah Joseph — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:38:00 EST

Filed under: Europe

Some trends in the automotive industry worry us. Seriously. The emergence of car theme parks, however, does not. In fact, it makes us giddy as schoolkids. At Disneyland. With ice cream.

Following the plans for a Ferrari theme park in Abu Dhabi, the F1 theme park in neighboring Dubai (with other locations to follow) and the Cars-themed section of Disney's California Adventure comes the news that developers are planning to turn Europe's most famous racetrack into a theme park, as well. The plans, according to a report from AutoBild, will be centered around a new type of high-speed roller coaster that boards next to the start/finish line, accelerates down a 480-meter straight in parallel to the race track, takes a sharp left turn and runs along "the boulevard" back to the station. It doesn't appear to do any loops, just shoot down the straightaway at time-warping speeds: accelerated by compressed air, the eight-passenger train rockets to 217km/h (135mph) in just two and a half seconds - that's much faster than even an F1 racecar.

In addition to the coaster, several other attractions will be built at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, along with a new 5,000-seat grandstand and a four-star hotel. As if we needed another reason to make pilgrimage to the Ring.

[Source: AutoBild]

The Magic Ringdom: themepark planned for the N�rburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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