Porsche continues to push the boundaries of performance, with the latest 911 GT3 achieving a remarkable feat at the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The 2025 model, fitted with a manual transmission and the optional Weissach Package, has established a new benchmark for production cars equipped with a stick shift. Porsche brand ambassador Joerg Bergmeister piloted the vehicle to a lap time of 6:56.294 minutes over the 12.94-mile (20.832-kilometer) circuit, surpassing the previous record held by a competitor with a significantly more powerful engine by over 9.5 seconds. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of Porsche’s continuous development in enhancing the performance of the 911 GT3.
Powertrain and Performance Details: The 2025 Porsche 911 GT3, the record-breaking vehicle, is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine producing 502 hp. Despite maintaining the same engine output as its predecessor, the new GT3 demonstrates significantly improved performance, evidenced by the lap time. This enhanced capability is primarily attributed to the extensive advancements made to the chassis. Notably, the manual 911 GT3 with the optional Weissach Package completed the Nordschleife a substantial 3.633 seconds faster than the previous 992.1 generation GT3 equipped with a PDK transmission. Bergmeister highlighted the car’s increased stability over bumps and curbs, a direct benefit of lessons learned from the 911 GT3 RS development. Furthermore, the eight percent shorter gear ratio in the manual transmission provides noticeably more power to the rear axle during acceleration. The record-setting lap was achieved using road-legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, sized 255/35 R 20 at the front and 315/30 R 21 at the rear, under favorable track conditions of 54 degrees Fahrenheit ambient and 80 degrees asphalt temperature.
Record-Breaking Lap: The decision to pursue the manual transmission production car lap record led Porsche to examine the existing benchmark, which stood at 7:01.300 minutes for a shorter 12.8-mile (20.6-kilometer) configuration, equating to an approximate 7:05.800 minutes on the full 12.94-mile lap. Under the watchful eye of an independent notary public, Joerg Bergmeister successfully clocked a lap time of 6:56.294 minutes, definitively establishing the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 as the fastest production vehicle with a manual transmission to conquer the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Bergmeister noted the enhanced confidence the new model inspires at the limit, stating he was faster in nearly every corner compared to the previous generation.
Summary:
- The 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 with manual transmission set a new Nürburgring-Nordschleife record for production cars with a manual gearbox.
- The lap time achieved was 6:56.294 minutes over the 12.94-mile (20.832-kilometer) track.
- This time is over 9.5 seconds faster than the previous record.
- The new GT3 is also 3.633 seconds quicker than its predecessor (992.1) with PDK.
- The improved performance is attributed to chassis enhancements and a shorter gear ratio, despite the engine producing the same 502 hp.
Disclaimer: Performance figures and lap times are based on specific testing conditions and may vary depending on driving style, environmental factors, and vehicle configuration. Always drive responsibly and within legal limits.
Source: Porsche
AI Assistance: Gemini
