Nurburgring lap times have become a point of pride for several manufacturers. The Germans, in particular, test on this hallowed piece of tar and are always happy to shout about new barriers broken there. Today Porsche announced that its Panamera sets a Nurburgring lap record. The company is claiming a new best time set in the “executive cars” category.

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Pre-launch record-breaker

The next generation Porsche Panamera has not yet been shown to the world but Porsche saw fit to take the new model out for a right good thrashing. We get to see an almost undisguised Panamera in the video below weeks before it makes it world premiere. The exec in the video also gives us the power output of the new Panamera Turbo. Peak power from the 4,0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 is 464 kW, with an additional 50 N.m added across the torque curve.

The new Panamera Turbo completed a full 20,832 km lap of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 min 29,81 sec with test and development driver Lars Kern behind the wheel. Porsche says that this new car is around 13 seconds quicker than the predecessor model with the same driver behind the wheel, despite the new time set over a 200 m longer track distance. The pace of progress is incredible. To put it into perspective a Carrera GT supercar, driven by Herr Walter Rohrl no less, achieved 7 min 28 sec.

The record-breaking Panamera was equipped with a racing seat and a safety cage as protection for the driver. Interestingly, the run was conducted on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres which are optionally available after the market launch of the Panamera and not standard fitment.

Watch two of Porsche’s latest products drag race each other at this link.

In their own words

“The enhancements made to the chassis and the powertrain of the new Panamera were always noticeable during this lap on what is recognised as the most demanding race track in the world,” says Kern. “In particularly challenging sections of the track, the new setup of the electromechanical roll stabilisation system remains consistently effective and provides the Panamera with incredible stability in spite of the bumpy track surface. Furthermore, the car benefited from the improved lateral dynamics and the increased grip of the new Michelin sports tyres. I achieved cornering speeds that I would not have believed possible with the Panamera.”

Check out this restomod Porsche 959 built by Canepa.

“The Panamera has always been both an exclusive touring saloon and a true sportscar at the same time. In the new model, we have enhanced those characteristics even more. Alongside the increased engine power, improvements have been made in the areas of cornering stability, body control and steering precision. These enhancements benefit both, everyday comfort and performance. The lap record is impressive proof of this,” says Thomas Friemuth, vice president product line Panamera.

Watch as the Panamera sets a Nurburgring lap record in the video below: