Porsche 911 GT3 Sets Fastest Nurburgring Lap for Manual Transmission Cars: Watch Lap

The Porsche 911 GT3 has broken a Nurburgring lap record for production cars with a manual gearbox. Driven by Jörg Bergmeister, the 911 GT3 completed the circuit in just 6:56.294 minutes. This impressive time beat the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR by over 9.5 seconds and also outpaced the Porsche 992.1 GT3 with PDK by 3.66 seconds. A key factor in the GT3’s performance was the optional Weissach Package, which reduced the car’s weight by 12 kg. This package includes carbon fibre parts for the front lid, roof, and rear wing. It also added a carbon-fibre roll cage and six-point seatbelts to improve safety and rigidity. The combination of reduced weight and better aerodynamics, along with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 R tires, helped the car achieve its record lap time.

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Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line said: 'More and more 911 GT3 customers are opting for the six-speed manual transmission. And more and more often we are asked by these customers how fast a 911 GT3 with manual transmission would be on the Nordschleife. We have now answered this question and – although we know that the variant with PDK is significantly faster – we drove our official lap time with a manual six-speed gearbox.'

'Even without the automated, super-fast and precise gearshifts of the PDK, and with a conventional instead of electronically controlled limited-slip differential, the new 911 GT3 shaved around 3.6 seconds off the time of its predecessor with PDK.'

Porsche 911 GT3: Engine

The Porsche 911 GT3 is powered by a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine that produces 503bhp and 450Nm of torque. The engine can rev up to 9,000 rpm, delivering a thrilling driving experience.

Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. However, the record set by the manual gearbox at Nürburgring shows that traditional driving can still offer top performance.

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Porsche’s achievement with the manual 911 GT3 highlights the importance of driver engagement and careful engineering. By beating both the dual-clutch version and the long-standing Viper ACR record, the GT3 proves that the manual gearbox still has a place in modern sports cars. The 911 GT3’s light design, high-revving engine, and track-focused features set a new standard for driving enthusiasts.