--- title: "New Porsche Panamera Hybrid Demotes Mercedes on the Nurburgring Record Books" date: "2024-07-15" modified: "2024-07-15" authors: - name: "Beverly Braga" job_title: "Weekend Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/beverly-braga" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/new-porsche-panamera-hybrid-demotes-mercedes-on-the-nurburgring-record-books" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Porsche News" tags: - "luxury" - "Panamera" - "porsche" - "sports car" --- # New Porsche Panamera Hybrid Demotes Mercedes on the Nurburgring Record Books ![]() *\Hendryk Meyer\* The Nürburgring is no match for a "soon-to-be-announced" top hybrid variant of the [Porsche]() Panamera, which set a new lap record for ICE-based luxury class cars. With Porsche test driver Lars Kern piloting a pre-production model of the upcoming high-performance trim, the Panamera hybrid covered the 12.9-mile Nordschleife course in a brisk 7:24.17 minutes. This bested the [previous executive car class record]() by more than three seconds, a time set in 2020 by the [Mercedes-AMG GT]() 63S four-door coupe. Driven by AMG development engineer and former racing driver Demian Schaffert, the four-door GT took 7:27.80 minutes to traverse the Green Hell. The new Panamera E-Hybrid is also 5.64 seconds quicker than the previous generation Turbo S model which was [timed at 7:29.81]() during its own 2020 lap test, again driven by Kern. ![]() *Hendryk Meyer* ![]() *Sebastian Kubatz* ![]() *Hendryk Meyer* Outside of the installed racing seat and mandatory safety cage, the [Nürburgring]() test car was essentially a production-spec of the new Panamera hybrid. Its eight-cylinder engine and hybrid powertrain leave no doubt about the performance chops of this four-door sedan. Unfortunately, Porsche has not revealed other performance specs about this new trim. As the new range-topping [Panamera](), the hybrid model is equipped with the new Porsche Active Ride chassis, a new optional Carbon Aerokit, and optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 ultra-high-performance tires. The combination of improved body control, minimized front axle lift, and optimized traction gives the new Panamera a ride that further balances ride comfort and driving precision. “The powertrain, the aerodynamics, the chassis, the new, optional ultra-high-performance tires from Michelin – many aspects have contributed to this time,” Kern said during the announcement. “The new Porsche Active Ride chassis has made a particularly big contribution as the car stays well connected to the road at all times. Its cornering and body control are on a whole new level. As a driver, this gives me a good feeling and further underlines that our development doesn’t just offer maximum day-to-day driving comfort, but also makes a real difference on the Nordschleife." Porsche said a video of the record-setting lap would be shown on [Porsche's YouTube channel]() as soon as it's available. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Born and raised in Hawaii, Beverly has been a prolific and published creative writer since her teens. As a contributor to The Drive, Beverly covers the weekend shift, blogging about all things automotive, mobility, transportation, and topics in-between. Currently a digital nomad, Beverly's only constant is her car, a second-generation Mazdaspeed3. Even though she's never in one place for too long, her hot hatch always feels like home. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()