The Mercedes-AMG GT four-door has set a Nürburgring record*

Welcome to this week’s (alleged) Nürburgring lap record – courtesy of the brilliantly rapid and rather excellent (but appallingly named) Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+.

With Development Engineer Demian Schaffert behind the wheel, it’s just set a 7m 25.41s lap around the 13-mile circuit, making it, in Mercedes’ words, the “fastest fully-fledged four-seater production car to ever conquer the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife”. Former record-holders include the Afla Romeo Giulia QV and Porsche Panamera Turbo, which in 2016 recorded 7m 32s and 7m 40s laps respectively.

Beating the existing record by seven seconds is pretty impressive going, we’re sure you’ll agree. Or at least, what Mercedes clearly believes to be the existing record. See, last year Jaguar set a 7m 21s in its XE Project 8, claiming “the fastest ever time by a four-door sedan in production-intent specification”.  

Sure, the Project 8 is ostensibly a four-seat, four-door production saloon – just one with a load of weight stripped out, that’s only available in limited numbers for a small fortune, and is very much track-ready. Mercedes would no doubt argue the AMG is more of a production car than the Jag – it’s bigger, heavier and supply won’t be limited. And we’re minded to agree with it.

What say you, Internet? It’s Merc’s achievement more impressive than Jag’s?