Maserati MC-12 Records Unofficial Production Car Nurburgring Lap Record

British performance car magazine Evo, is claiming to have smashed the production car lap record at the Nurburgring race track in a Maserati MC-12, taking just 7:24.29 minutes to lap the circuit known as ‘the green hell’ and regarded as the ultimate test of a super car.

Evo was lucky enough to run back-to-back Nurburgring laps with a number of well-known supercars, thanks to a generous German collector. Joining the MC-12, was a Ferrari Enzo, a Koenigsegg CCX, a Pagani Zonda F Clubsport and a Porsche Carrera GT. Evo borrowed American Le Mans Series race driver, Marc Basseng to pilot each car.

Now, none of these machines are known for sitting on their laurels but some were faster than others around the 'green hell'. Coming in last was the Koenigsegg CCX, which struggled with getting its massive 672 kWs to the ground. The Carrera GT managed fourth place, with Basseng managing to match Walter Rohrl's best time. The Enzo managed a podium (3rd place finish), with the Zonda just pipping it for second place. The Zonda's average speed over the lap was 165km/h.

The Maserati MC-12 was the fastest, a feat made all the more impressive (according to Maserati) by the fact that it was the heaviest car tested, and was running with conventional dampers and steel brakes.

Basseng concluded that while it was not the quickest on the straights, the Maserati MC-12 triumphed thanks to the balanced chassis and race-bred aerodynamics and an engine that provided easily accessible power - a combination that enabled him to get the power earlier and harder than the other contenders.

Porsche may find being bested by a Maserati, preferable to running second to a Nissan?