A few months ago, we caught wind of a new auto channel being developed on YouTube called DRIVE. The channel, which features some fascinating auto segments, is the brainchild of some of the most prominent auto journalists in the industry, including Chris Harris, Matt Farah, and Leo Parente.
A few days ago - actually, it was on the 1st of January - the channel finally went live with a debut episode focusing on one of the most famous races in the world - the 24 Hours of Nurburgring - and the overall experience behind it, particularly taken from the point of view of the people who have spent their lives devoted to the thrills of endurance racing.
The video is 13 minutes long, but rest assured, it’s worth every second, especially if you fancy knowing the history and esteem behind arguably the greatest 24-hour endurance race in history.
Get your popcorn ready, fellas; this video is a must-watch.
Once the new year begins, it’s good to look back and remember all of the good things that occurred during the previous year. That is exactly what Youtube user, cvdzijden, did when he created this video, which brings forth multiple Nissan GT-R models he caught on the Nurburgring throughout the past year. The video is appropriately described as an "invasion campaign of the Nurburgring ring," and one look at it will illustrate exactly why.
As a reminder, the Nissan GT-R is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 twin turbo engine that delivers a total 530 HP at 6,400rpm and a peak torque of 451 lbs-ft delivered between 3,200 to 6,000rpm. This engine is then coupled to a 6 speed dual clutch transmission hat, together, allow the sports car to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds.
While Mercedes has kind of delayed the real test for the Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe, German magazine, Sport Auto, went ahead and tested the sports coupe for themselves, right where it matters: the Nurburgring. Their little soiree with the Black Series Coupe landed them a lap time of 7 minutes and 46 seconds, placing it between the Porsche Carrera S (7:44) and the BMW M3 GTS (7:48). In addition to the stellar lap time, the Merc also sprinted from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 13.9 seconds.
As a reminder, the Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe is powered by a 6.3 liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 510 HP and 457 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 4.2 seconds, while top speed unfortunately is still limited to 155 mph. The Mercedes used in this exercise was also equipped with Dunlop Sport Maxx Race M0 tires.
Being able to catch a Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 testing around the Nurburgring race track isn’t something that happens all of the time. Lucky for us, SpotterGijs was able to catch not one, not two, but three (two white and one black) GT3 RS models looping around the race track in superb fashion.
The Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 is powered by a 4.0 liter engine producing an incredible 500 HP and 339 lb-ft of torque, a 50 HP and 22 lb-ft increase over the standard GT3 RS model. This added power will allow the GT3 RS 4.0 to get to the 62mph mark in a killer 3.9 seconds and up to 124 mph in under 12 seconds. The car already clocked an impressive 7:27 around the famous Nurburgring track, but that time may be just the beginning if this video is representative of anything!
Sit back and enjoy, the video is really worth every second!
The 2013 Nissan GT-R has been rumored to be significantly improved compared to the current model. The engine will deliver a total of 560 HP (up 30 HP over the 2012 GT-R) and the suspension will also be significantly improved. So far, those modifications were not made in vain. It is rumored that, at its first testings around the Nurburgring race track, the 2013 GT-R has scored an impressive 7min 16secs lap time. If that time turns out to be accurate, that would make it 8 seconds faster than its predecessor’s time of 7:24.
According to Kazutoshi Mizuno, the father of the GT-R, the new model is "on average 3.1 - 4.9 mph faster through every corner there, and 3.1 mph faster on the final straight where the car now reaches 183.9 mph."
More details about this car will be revealed when it makes its world debut next week. A Track Pack and a Club Track Edition will follow shortrly thereafter.
