The Nürburgring Nordschleife, typically merely known as the Nürburgring or the Inexperienced Hell, is famous for a number of causes. The German observe is understood for its difficult and treacherous 154-corner structure that spans as much as 12.9 miles, making it a favourite check mattress for automotive efficiency and driver talent. As a benchmark for automobile producers to show their mettle, lap occasions on this world-famous circuit are sometimes used as a badge of honor.
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The same old Nürburgring record-holders are light-weight, high-powered supercars, however with high-performance SUVs gaining reputation, the latter has been taking over the Inexperienced Hell with stunning outcomes. Whereas SUVs are sometimes related to practicality, off-road functionality, and family-friendly options, automotive know-how developments have allowed them to realize outstanding pace and agility. Considered one of them has lately set the quickest time and was topped the brand new SUV king, beating formidable supercars within the course of, and this listing of quickest SUVs to ever have graced the world-famous circuit.
The next listing of SUVs relies on essentially the most present data accessible on the time of writing. Lap occasions are sourced from numerous respected sources, together with producers, the Nürburgring, and unbiased publications for which these occasions had been recorded.
10 2010 BMW X6 M
Lap Details
Achieved a time of 8:24 Pushed by Horst von Saurma (for Sport Auto) Lap accomplished in 2009
The primary-generation BMW X6 M was the first-ever all-wheel drive M mannequin – a distinction it shares with the X5 M. Introduced in 2009, the coupe Sports activities Exercise Car (SAV) was tuned and outfitted with efficiency chops anticipated of an M mannequin. Powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo BMW S63 V8 engine producing 547 horsepower and 501 lb-ft, which had been insane numbers for an SUV on the time, it could actually full a 0-60 mph dash in 4.5 seconds, or simply four-tenths of a second slower than the extra fashionable BMW XM.
9 2015 Land Rover Vary Rover Sport SVR
Lap Details
Achieved a time of 8:14 Check performed by Land Rover Lap accomplished in 2014
The Vary Rover lineup is understood for its off-road capabilities, however Land Rover determined to deviate from custom and take the problem on observe with the Vary Rover Sport SVR. The British marque mentioned the SVR went by way of exhaustive testing on the ‘Ring, finishing almost 1,000 laps, with the quickest time set in 2014. Aside from track-specific updates, the Vary Rover Sport SVR was additionally extra highly effective than the usual mannequin, with its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine tuned to provide 542 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, permitting this go-fast SUV to dash from 0-60 mph in simply 4.5 seconds.
8 2016 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:59.74 Check performed by Porsche Lap accomplished in 2015
Porsche created the Cayenne with notable off-road capabilities, but it surely’s a high-performance SUV by coronary heart, constructed to problem the likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML55, the predecessor of the GLE Class. In its second era, the Cayenne Turbo S churns out 562 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8, able to finishing a 0-60 mph run in 3.8 seconds. The then-top-spec Porsche SUV additional proved its mettle on the Nürburgring, setting the SUV lap document twice, with the facelifted Cayenne Turbo S finishing the lap 14 seconds faster than the Vary Rover Sport SVR.
7 2023 Cupra Formentor VZ5
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:58.99 Pushed by Christian Gebhardt (for Sport Auto) Lap accomplished in 2023
The Formentor VZ5 is a high-performance crossover made by Cupra, the efficiency sub-brand of SEAT underneath the Volkswagen Group. Sharing its MQB Evo platform with the VW Golf R has its perks, and that is with the ability to go quick across the corners of the famed German observe. Even higher, it is powered by Audi’s award-winning five-cylinder engine, shared with the Audi TT RS and RS3, making as much as 385 hp within the crossover.
6 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:51.7 Pushed by Fabio Francia (for Alfa Romeo) Lap accomplished in 2017
Alfa Romeo is about to say goodbye to its formidable V6 energy plant, however not with out making a mark, notably on the listing of Nürburgring lap occasions. Powering the Stelvio Quadrifoglio in 2017, the twin-turbo 2.9-liter six-cylinder made 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, permitting the Italian SUV to set a lap document. Fabio Francia was behind the spectacular run, the identical driver who set the document for the quickest four-door manufacturing sedan in the identical yr on a Giulia Quadrifoglio.
5 2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:49.369 Pushed by Markus Hofbauer (for Mercedes-Benz) Lap accomplished in 2018
The Stelvio’s Nürburgring lap document did not final lengthy, with the excellence going again to the Germans the next yr, courtesy of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S. Over two seconds faster than the Alfa, the AMG GLC 63 S was powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes-AMG growth engineer Markus Hofbauer was liable for the record-breaking lap, pushing the SUV to its restrict and shaving 2 seconds off his preliminary try.
4 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:45.59 Pushed by Christian Gebhardt (for Sport Auto) Lap accomplished in 2024
With the benefit of instantaneous torque and low middle of gravity, it is no shock that efficiency EVs have a spot within the listing of quickest Nürburgring lap occasions. The present document for EVs goes to the Rimac Nevera, however when speaking about electrical SUVs, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N reigns supreme when it lapped Inexperienced Hell earlier this yr, courtesy of Christian Gebhardt and Sport Auto. With Nürburgring standing as one of many inspirations behind Hyundai’s N efficiency model, it is a welcome distinction if not overdue.
3 2020 Audi RS Q8
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:42.253 Pushed by Frank Stippler (for Audi) Lap accomplished in 2019
The AMG GLC 63 S could have taken the Nürburgring SUV lap document from the Italians, however cross-town rival Audi took it the next yr with the RS Q8. The document was set even earlier than the automobile’s official unveiling, amplifying the joy that surrounded the then-hottest model of the flagship Audi Q8. The RS Q8 has the benefit of getting essentially the most potent energy plant of the Q8 household, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 which places out 592 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. This, in fact, modified with the arrival of the facelifted mannequin and the brand new RS Q8 efficiency.
2 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:38.925 Pushed by Lars Kern (for Porsche) Lap accomplished in 2021
Earlier than the Audi RS Q8 handed the baton to its successor, Porsche managed to steal a couple of years of reign because the SUV King on the Nürburgring. The Cayenne Turbo GT was almost 4 seconds faster across the observe than the earlier record-holder, due to its revised bodywork and decrease stance, and naturally, an upgraded 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces as much as 631 hp and 627 lb-ft of pulling energy. The facelifted Cayenne Turbo GT, launched final yr, hasn’t formally lapped the Inexperienced Hell to defend its crown, but it surely’s solely a matter of time earlier than Stuttgart will get on to work.
1 The New King: Audi RS Q8 efficiency
Lap Details
Achieved a time of seven:36.698 Pushed by Frank Stippler (for Audi) Lap accomplished in 2024
Hail to the brand new SUV King of the ‘Ring! The Audi RS Q8 not solely bought a refresh this yr but additionally gained a brand new variant known as the RS Q8 efficiency. Selecting up from the laurels of its predecessor, the warmer model is sharper and extra dynamic, with the automaker massaging the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to a most output of 631 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, essentially the most highly effective combustion engine ever fitted to an Audi Sport mannequin.
The Audi RS Q8 efficiency’s reign is not with out impending menace, although. As talked about, Porsche has but to set a lap time on Nordschleife with the facelifted Cayenne Turbo GT, whereas different high-powered SUVs, particularly the Aston Martin DBX707 and the brand new Lamborghini Urus SE, are additionally formidable contenders vying for the crown.
Supply:
Sport Auto