New SUV King of Nurburgring Outperforms 10 High-performance Cars

Among the most renowned race tracks globally, the Nurburgring stands out as a challenging 12.94-mile circuit. Automobile manufacturers worldwide utilize the German track for testing and pushing their top-tier vehicles to their performance limits. With a reputation as illustrious as that of the Nurburgring, the significance of individual lap times in the performance sector becomes evident.

One automaker, in particular, stands out with its exceptional lap record. The Audi RS Q8 performance recently dethroned Porsche to claim the SUV record with an impressive lap time of 7:36:698. Audi had previously held the record before losing it to Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo GT in 2021. Hence, Audi seized the opportunity to reclaim its position, and the German manufacturer did so convincingly. The RS Q8’s swift lap time surpasses that of several supercars around the Nurburgring.

The following compilation of high-performance cars is based on the most current data available at the time of writing. Lap times are gathered from various reputable sources, including manufacturers, the Nurburgring, and independent publications where these times were documented.

10 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Lap Insights

• Recorded a time of 7:47
• Piloted by Horst Von Saurma (for Sport Auto)
• Lap completed in 2007

At the top of our roster is the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. Recognized as the Supercar of the Year by Top Gear in 2006, the 599 holds a special place in history. It was one of Ferrari’s rare supercars to sport a front-mounted engine, a 6.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 producing 611 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque, propelling the 599 GTB from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds. With a top speed of 208 mph, the 599 GTB is truly impressive.

Zonda S 7.3

Key Lap Highlights

• Recorded a time of 7:44
• Driven by Horst von Saurma (for Sport Auto)
• Lap achieved in 2002

A Pagani earns its place in history with the 2002 Pagani Zonda S. Back in the day, Pagani shook the supercar industry with its stunning designs and incredible power from its 7.3-liter AMG-built V12. The massive engine churned out 547 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, an impressive feat for its era. This powerhouse propelled the Zonda S from 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and onward to a top speed of 208 mph. Equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport tires, Horst von Saurma set a remarkable lap time of 7:44 for the German magazine Sport Auto. Though von Saurma would go on to achieve faster times in the Zonda F (7:33) with upgraded tires, the Zonda S 7.3’s lap time set a high standard for one of the earliest Zonda versions.

81993 Bugatti EB110 SS

Key Lap Highlights

• Recorded a time of 7:44
• Driven by Loris Bicocchi (Bugatti official lap time)
• Lap achieved in 1993

The original contemporary Bugatti might have faced financial struggles during Bugatti’s revival by Romano Artioli, but it excelled in two areas: presence and speed. Fueled by a 3.5-liter quad-turbo V12, the EB110 Super Sport (SS) generated 603 hp and 479 lb-ft, delivered to an AWD system through a six-speed manual transmission. To showcase its exceptional capabilities, Bugatti took the supercar to the Green Hell in 1993, where test driver Loris Bicocchi completed a 7:44 lap around the circuit. Despite having less power than the RS Q8 performance model, but also less weight, achieving similar lap times demonstrates the remarkable capabilities of modern SUVs in defying physical limitations.

7 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago SuperVeloce LP670-4

Lap Facts

• Time of 7:42 achieved
• Horst von Saurma was the driver (for Sport Auto)
• Lap completed in 2010

The Lamborghini Murcielago SuperVeloce LP670-4 takes the spotlight next. Despite its lengthy name, this Lamborghini model from 2010 made quite an impact. The “LP670-4” tag signifies the power it generates, which amounts to 670 PS, along with its all-wheel-drive setup. This powerhouse derived its 661 horsepower from a 6.5-liter V12 engine, capable of delivering 487 lb-ft of torque. Impressively engineered aerodynamics assisted the SuperVeloce LP670-4 in effortlessly gripping corners.

6 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Lap Facts

• Time of 7:40 achieved
• Horst von Saurma was the driver (for Sport Auto)
• Lap completed in 2010

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was a distinctive model in production from 2010 to 2015. Intended as a spiritual successor to the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300SL, including the iconic gullwing doors. This first-ever AMG-designed car was visually striking, matched by the thunderous power generated by its 6.2-liter V8 engine, boasting 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Standardly configured, the SLS could reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.8 seconds, topping out at 196 mph. While there were faster variants, like the SLS AMG GT and Black Series, that outpaced the RS Q8, it’s astounding that even the base SLS model was surpassed by a family-friendly SUV.

The SLS remained a standout in Mercedes’ history, but our next contender arguably holds an even more iconic status.

5 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Lap Facts

• Achieved a lap time of 7:40
• Piloted by Klaus Ludwig (on behalf of Auto Bild)
• Lap completed in July 2004

One could contend that the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren earned the title of the world’s premier hypercar, given its remarkable engineering achievement. This vehicle was a product of the collaborative efforts between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, with Mercedes holding partial ownership of McLaren at the time. The acronym “SLR” represented Sport Leicht Rennsport, translating to Sport Light Racing in English. It was equipped with a meticulously crafted supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine, churning out 617 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from 0-60 mph took only 3.3 seconds, with a top speed reaching 207 mph. Although these performance figures may not be as striking by today’s standards, the SLR was a dominant force in the automotive realm during its era.

4 2005 Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Lap Facts

• Achieved a lap time of 7:40
• Driver unidentified (arranged by Wheels Magazine Australia)
• Lap completed in 2005

Although venturing into hypercar terrain, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 was not intended as a dedicated track vehicle. It is intriguing to note that a five-seater family SUV managed to outpace the original 1,001-PS hypercar, showcasing the significant advancements in automotive engineering. Bugatti itself did not undertake the Veyron’s Green Hell challenge, but an Australian publication did, resulting in a 7:40 lap time in 2005 with an anonymous driver behind the wheel. Despite its all-wheel drive, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a 987-horsepower, quad-turbo W16 engine of 8.0 liters, the Veyron fell short in achieving a lap time faster than the RS Q8 performance. Nonetheless, the Veyron remains a remarkable feat, exemplifying the rapid evolution in automotive technology.

3 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia

Lap Details

• Achieved a timing of 7:39
• Piloted by Horst von Saurma (representing Sport Auto)
• Completed the lap in 2008

The F430 Scuderia from Ferrari also earns its place on the list. This model was intended as the ultimate farewell to the F430 series, as it saw the end of its production in 2008 before the Ferrari 458 took over in 2009 for the 2010 model year. To create the Scuderia, Ferrari managed to shed off 220 pounds of excess weight from the F430, and also boosted the power output of the 4.3-liter V8 engine from 483 to 503 horsepower. Its torque rating of 347 lb-ft was 4 lb-ft higher than the standard version. Ferrari made enhancements to the intake and exhaust systems to achieve this power increase, and incorporated an ion-sensing knocking system to elevate the V8’s compression ratio. However, even one of Ferrari’s premier mid-engined super-sports cars couldn’t outperform Audi’s family SUV.

2 2010 Lexus LFA (Standard Version)

Lap Details

• Achieved a timing of 7:38.09
• Piloted by Horst von Saurma (for Sport Auto)
• Lap completed in September 2010

The Lexus LFA represented a pinnacle of technological innovation during its debut in 2010. It had a production run of just one year, with only 500 units sold. Toyota, the parent company of Lexus, reportedly incurred close to a $400,000 loss on each LFA manufactured, underscoring the sophistication of these supercars. Naturally, there was immense curiosity about its performance on the Nurburgring. Thus, Horst von Saurma navigated the course for the German magazine Sport Auto in 2010, achieving a lap time of 7:38. For the base LFA, which had not been equipped with the special Nurburgring Package, Lexus officially clocked a time of 7:14.64 in 2011, using Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires, demonstrating the track-focused version’s superior capabilities compared to the Audi RS Q8 performance model.

1 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4

Lap Insights

• Managed to achieve a time of 7:38
• Piloted by Horst von Saurma (on behalf of Sport Auto)
• Lap successfully executed in 2011

The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4 represents our final supercar endeavor. The term “Superleggera” signifies superlight in the English language, with the LP570-4 standing in as a substitute for the traditional LP560-4 labeled Gallardo. Carbon fiber was utilized in various external components and strategically in the chassis. The 5.2-liter Audi V10 witnessed a power enhancement, now generating 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. With these enhancements, the LP570-4 managed a commendable lap time, albeit falling short of the Audi RS Q8’s remarkable performance.

References:
Sport Auto
,
Auto Bild
, Wheels Magazine Australia, Bugatti