Video: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-Door reclaims Nurburgring lap record
Not keen to leave all the acclaim to Porsche, AMG's flagship four-door returns to the 'Ring to post a 7:27.80 time
Mercedes-AMG’s GT 63 S 4-Door has once again reclaimed its place at the top of the Nurburgring Nordschleife timesheet.
The Affalterbach brand has today announced that a model-year-2021 version of its flagship performance liftback has once again snatched the lap record for ‘executive cars’ around the Nordschleife layout of the iconic German circuit, with a time of 7 minutes, 27.80 seconds.
The new time represents a 2.01-second improvement over the 7-minute 29.81-second lap posted nearly three months ago by the previous record-holder, the facelifted Porsche Panamera Turbo S.
The record time also marks a 2.31-second gain over the GT 63 S’ previous, 2018-stamped record-setting time of 7 minutes 30.11 seconds.
Mercedes-AMG cites revised suspension geometry and “other fine-tuning measures” for the newfound pace.
Aside from the addition of a race bucket seat and a set of four-point harnesses, the record-breaking car is identical to MY21 GT 63 S models available in European showrooms since September.
To improve its on-track credentials, the car has been fitted with a range of performance parts, including rear-axle steering and a set of track-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 performance tyres. An aerodynamics package is also available as an option.
It’s worth noting the aforementioned 7:27.80 time was recorded around the 20.832km layout of the Nurburgring Nordschleife, which has been mandatory for lap records since 2019 and includes an additional 232m section of straight, following the end of the final corner.
Around the shorter 20.6km layout, as used for lap record attempts prior to 2019, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S posted a lap time of 7 minutes, 23.009 seconds.
Under the bonnet of the MY21 AMG flagship is the brand's trademark 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, developing 470kW of power and 900Nm of torque.
The turbo V8 is mated to a nine-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission, sending drive to all four wheels through a variable all-wheel-drive system.
Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.2 seconds, towards a top speed of 315km/h.
Prices in Australia for the GT 63 S start from $358,735 plus on-road costs.
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