Porsche Panamera Sets New Luxury Sedan Record At Nürburgring

Published: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 1:03 [IST]

The new Panamera top model has set a remarkable lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Porsche test driver Lars Kern achieved a record of 7:24.17 minutes in this high-performance sedan, surpassing the previous generation by 5.64 seconds.

The improved performance is attributed to several factors, including the Porsche Active Ride chassis and a new Carbon Aerokit. These enhancements ensure the car remains well-connected to the road, providing superior cornering and body control.

Kern highlighted the car's agility, especially in challenging sections like 'Hohe Acht' and 'Brünnchen'. He noted, "The new Panamera has made significant gains in this area." This agility is crucial for handling demanding corner sequences on the track.

The Panamera was fitted with optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, sized 275/35 ZR 21 at the front and 325/30 ZR 21 at the rear. These tires were specially developed for this model to enhance its performance capabilities.

Kern emphasized that many aspects contributed to the improved lap time, including the powertrain, aerodynamics, chassis, and ultra-high-performance tires. He stated, "The powertrain, the aerodynamics, the chassis... many aspects have contributed to this time."

Enhanced Driving Comfort

The new Panamera combines luxury with sportiness. It offers both day-to-day driving comfort and exceptional performance on tracks like the Nordschleife. Kern remarked that no other Porsche offers such a wide spectrum between comfort and sportiness.

For optimized performance, the optional Carbon Aerokit eliminates lift on the front axle. Combined with a Gurney flap on the adaptive 4-way rear spoiler, it generates downforce, improving aerodynamic balance further.

A pre-production variant of this high-performance sedan completed its lap equipped with a racing seat and mandatory safety cage but remained representative of a production car. This setup ensured safety while maintaining authenticity.

A video showcasing Kern's complete Nordschleife lap will soon be available on YouTube and in the Porsche Newsroom. This footage will provide enthusiasts with an inside look at this impressive achievement.

The new Panamera’s eight-cylinder combustion engine with a hybrid powertrain delivers outstanding driving performance. This combination is one of many reasons for its faster lap time compared to previous models.

Lars Kern had previously set records on this track in 2016 and 2020 with different Panamera models. His latest achievement underscores continuous advancements in Porsche's four-door sports car development.

This latest record highlights Porsche's commitment to enhancing both comfort and sportiness in their vehicles. The new Panamera exemplifies this balance perfectly, making it suitable for long-distance travel while excelling on demanding tracks.

Porsche continues to push boundaries in automotive engineering with each new model release. The latest Panamera is a testament to their dedication to innovation and performance excellence.

This achievement not only sets a new benchmark for luxury class cars but also showcases Porsche's relentless pursuit of perfection in automotive design and engineering.

As more details emerge about this impressive vehicle, it becomes clear that Porsche remains at the forefront of combining luxury with high-performance capabilities in their cars.

This record-setting lap time is just one example of how Porsche continues to lead in automotive innovation and performance standards worldwide.