As promised, Porsche set a new Nürburgring lap record for manual-transmission cars with the new 911 GT3. Factory driver Jorg Bergmeister managed to set a lap time of 6:56.294 in a six-speed 2025 911 GT3. That not only crushes the old manual-transmission Nürburgring lap record, it also beats the previous GT3’s lap time, which was set with a PDK-equipped car.
A Dodge Viper ACR held the old manual-transmission Nürburgring record for eight years years, with a 7:01.3 lap. And note that this lap time was set before the ‘Ring standardized its timing procedures, which stipulate a lap of the full 12.94-mile course. Previously, Nürburgring lap times left out the short pit straight for a 12.8-mile lap. On the shorter, 12.8-mile lap, the new GT3 managed a remarkable 6:51.764. So really, the GT3 was over 10 seconds faster than the Viper, despite a deficit of about 140 horsepower.
The new record is also 3.7 seconds faster than the pre-facelift 992 GT3’s lap time.
“The new 911 GT3 inspires even more confidence at the limit than the previous model. I was faster in almost every corner,” said Bergmeister in a statement. “We learned a lot from the 911 GT3 RS, especially with the chassis. The car is even more stable on bumps and over the curbs. And thanks to the eight percent shorter gear ratio, there is noticeably more power on the rear axle when accelerating with the same engine power. Even if it would have been a few seconds faster with the seven-speed PDK—with the six-speed manual gearbox I definitely had more to do on the fast lap, and thus also a bit more fun.”
Photo by: Porsche
Porsche’s test car had the optional Weissach Package, which includes a number of weight-saving measures and carbon-fiber trim pieces. The car also had Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, which is the fastest rubber available for the new GT3.
So, it’s impressive on a couple different levels, and a record we can’t imagine anyone will beat soon. Not unless Gordon Murray Automotive wants to take a crack at it.
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