New Panamera can lap the Nürburgring quicker than some proper machinery

The new Porsche Panamera Turbo is astoundingly rapid. In the hands of development driver Lars Kern, and thanks to its potent 4.0-litre V8 and trick chassis tech’, it can lap the fearsome Nürburgring in 7m 38s. That’s not just quick for a big, luxury barge, it’s quick. Period.

To put that time into perspective, it’s a mite over half a second slower than the old 2014 Camaro Z/28, which was so serious about laptimes you didn’t get aircon as standard. Or carpet in the boot.

Scroll through the gallery for five cars you might be surprised to learn aren’t as quick as the big Porker around the ‘Ring.

Porsche Cayman GT4 - 7:42
TG’s Sports Car of the Year, complete with six-speed manual gearbox, wing, cage, and front suspension carried over pretty much wholesale from a 911 GT3. Down on power to the Panamera, but you’d have thought it’s fewer kilos and higher focus might negate that.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 - 7:42
A graphic illustration of how far hypercars have come in the last decade. The Murcielago has all-wheel drive, a massive V12 and some serious horsepower. Yet, not only is it slower than Porsche’s leather-lined saloon, it’s more than 40 seconds slower than the car that replaced it.

Porsche 911 GT3 (997) - 7:40
The new GT3 is way quicker than the 997 was, but this is just one generation back, remember. If Porsche carries on at this rate, tomorrow’s Boxster will lap as quickly as today’s 918.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - 7:40
The flappy-doored Mercedes was never really about lap times, but it’s nonetheless impressive a luxury saloon can beat it, even if it is only by a couple of seconds over 13-odd miles.

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV - 7:39
A second is all that separates the Panamera and the smaller, no doubt more drifty Giulia. We can’t see Alfa letting that stand…