2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS laps Nurburgring under 7 minutes

Porsche has today revealed that on April 16, its new 911 GT3 RS lapped the Nürburgring in an astonishing time of just 6:56.4.

Porsche works race driver Kévin Estre set the sub-seven lap around the Nürburgring Nordschleife’s 20.6km length. He was 24 seconds faster than the best time set by the previous GT3 RS.

“This lap was a sensational experience for me”, he said afterwards.

“Through the fast corners and on the brakes in particular, the GT3 RS is unbelievably close to our racing car GT3 R. This is also thanks to the new generation of tyres for road going sports cars.”

Estre’s experience extends to the high reaches of the FIA World Endurance Championship, in which he races the Porsche 911 RSR.

“I like the engine of the GT3 RS a lot. Up to 9,000 revs per minute from a six-cylinder engine just feels fantastic.

“The sound is a dream and the torque is massive.”

It’s an impressive way for the naturally aspirated Porsche 911 to go out, joining the Porsche 918 Spyder and the new 911 GT2 RS as the third Porsche to lap the Green Hell in under seven minutes.

The GT3 RS was in standard tune, with its 4.0-litre flat-six producing 383kW and 470Nm. It was also equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Rs, which are track-focused but road-legal.

Porsche says the lap was set starting at 11:40am, in ideal conditions, with 14 degree Celsius ambient and 18 degree Celsius track temperature.

“All four lap times of both drivers were below seven minutes and only tenths of a second apart,” says Porsches GT model line director Andreas Preuninger.

“This proves not only the outstanding power of the GT3 RS, but also its extraordinary driveability at the limit.”

Australians can expect to start seeing local GT3 RS units arrive in the final quarter of 2018.