Porsche Panamera sets record at Nurburgring

Reports from some European press are suggesting that Porsche appears to have set a new 4-door production car record in the new Porsche Panamera.

A German magazine is reporting that a Porsche Panamera Turbo, driven by Porsche test driver Walter Röhrl, has lapped the famous 12.9 mile Nürburgring race track in 7 minutes 56 seconds. This shaves around three seconds off the record 7 minutes 59.32 second time, surprisingly set by the Cadillac CTS-V to claim the title of fastest sedan on the ‘Ring’.

According to Sportauto, the Panamera Turbo used for the test was fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Package, including ceramic brakes and turbo boost. Porsche has been keen to prove the exceptional sporting prowess of the Panamera, set for its Australian release in October 2009. A time of 7.56 around the ‘Ring’ would suggest they’ve most certainly achieved that.

It’s hardly surprising the Porsche Panamera has managed such a staggering time, with its 500bhp and 0-60mph time of around 4 seconds, and there doesn’t seem to be anything else on the horizon that could compete.

According to Sportauto's database of test lap figures, the Panamera easily accounts for the BMW M5's 8:13 lap time, and is very close to several lap times set by vehicles regarded as modern day supercars. The Ferrari F430 is only 1 second faster than the Panamera Turbo, while the Mercedes SLR McLaren and Ford GT are well within reach at 7:52.

The Porsche Panamera Turbo is powered by a 4.8 litre turbocharged V8 that produces 500 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, enabling the Panamera sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds (4.0 seconds with the with the Sports Chrono mode enabled), and hit a top speed of 188 MPH.

The Porsche Panamera makes its Australian showroom debut in October 2009. For more information contact Jay McCormack, Sales Manager – Porsche Centre Brisbane on (07) 3248 9411.