Porsche sets a new Nürburgring lap record with the 918 Spyder (w/VIDEO)

We’re expecting this record to be short-lived – as we await to hear the time set by McLaren’s P1, but nevertheless Porsche 918 Spyder is the first of a new generation of hybrid hypercars to lower the Nürburgring lap record below seven minutes.

Porsche factory race driver, Marc Lieb, set a time of 6 minutes 57 seconds, shaving 14 seconds off the previous record, and sealing its status as the fastest ever Porsche and quickest standard production car (whatever that is) around the mighty 12.8-mile Nordschleife.

The lap time on the Nordschleife is, and remains, the toughest measure of a super sports car

“We promised a great deal with the 918 Spyder, namely to redefine driving pleasure, efficiency and performance. We have kept our word,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Head of Research and Development at Porsche.

The record, which was previously held for four years, was broken during the first attempt on the morning of 4 September. Marcus Schurig, Editor-in-Chief of German car magazine sport auto, witnessed the record-breaking runs.

“The radical hybridisation of the 918 Spyder from the very outset is what made this lap record possible” said Dr. Frank Walliser, head of the 918 Spyder project. “The lap time on the Nordschleife is, and remains, the toughest measure of a super sports car. Posting a time of 6.57 minutes, we achieved a result of which everyone in the development team – and at Porsche as a whole – is rightly proud.”

But Lieb wasn’t the only driver to beat the previous record – Porsche ambassador and former European Rally Champion Walter Röhrl together with Porsche test driver Timo both joined the test programme, setting lap times with two different 918 Spyders that were all below the previous record.

In fact all three drivers posted times below seven minutes, but ultimately Lieb set the fastest time of 6:57 minutes, driving at an average speed of more than 111mph (179.5 km/h).

The Porsche 918 Spyder is making its production debut this morning at the IAA International Motor Show, and is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid powerplant producing 874bhp. The car which set the Nürburgring lap record was equipped with the optional ‘Weissach package’ and standard Michelin tyres, developed specifically for the 918 Spyder.

Now, let’s see what McLaren can do.