Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S breaks Nurburgring SUV lap record; the laws of physics

MERCEDES-AMG has claimed a new Nurburgring lap record, with its GLC63 S now the fastest SUV to lap the Green Hell.

The twin-turbo V8-powered SUV lapped the 20.8-kilometre Green Hell in a time of 7:49.369, beating the previous record holder (the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q) by two seconds.

News of the new lap record follows the AMG GT 63 S four-door claiming the four-seater lap record at the Nordschliefe last month with a 7:25.41 time.

So how does the V8 high-rider compare to other lap times around the Nordschliefe? Well, for context, it’s quicker than Horst von Saurma in a E46 BMW M3 CSL, Hans Joachim Stuck in an E60 BMW M5, and Walter Rohrl in a Porsche 997 911 Turbo Cabriolet. So, ah, rather fast.

The new ‘Ring record claim from Mercedes-AMG comes after boss Tobias Moers told Road and Track in March he wasn’t a fan of manufacturers claiming lap records with professional racing drivers at the wheel, after the company’s GT R set a blistering time with Sport Auto journalist Christian Gebhardt at the helm.

Mercedes-AMG Development Engineer Markus Hofbauer was the man trusted with steering the GLC63 S for its record attempt.

We are waiting patiently to hear which Regular Joe will be given the keys to AMG’s Project One hypercar for an attack on the ‘Ring when it is released.

It’ll also be interesting to see how long the GLC63 S can sit atop the SUV pile, with Lamborghini’s Urus and Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo S-E Hybrid yet to attempt an official time.