An updated version of the current-generation Porsche Panamera Turbo is underway, and it seems that the German carmaker wants to introduce it with a new Nurburgring record. Our paparazzi spotted a slightly camouflaged version of the sedan doing laps on the 'Ring with Porsche taking on-track photos. This suggests a publicity stunt for the upcoming Panamera, but there's no indication of how quick the new sedan is. However, rumors from last year say that the Panamera Turbo lapped the Nordschleife in seven minutes and 11 seconds, which is a new record for four-door vehicles.

Porsche wants to recapture the record after three years

This isn't the first time when Porsche went to the 'Ring to prove that the Panamera Turbo is the fastest four-door out there. But the record didn't survive for long, as Alfa Romeo clocked 7:32 minutes with the Giulia Quadrifoglio later that years.} Since then, three more cars posted better times. The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 lapped the track in 7:21 minutes in 2018, while BMW scored a 7:35-minute lap with the M5 Competition in 2019. Mercedes also used the AMG GT 63 S four-door coupe to get close to Jaguar's record with a 7:25-minute lap in 2019.

Quickest four-doors around Nurburgring

In order to hold the record again after three years, the Panamera Turbo needs to lap the Nurburgring in less than 7:21 minutes. This means that the updated sedan has to be some 18 seconds quicker than the outgoing model.

Should Porsche score an official 7:11-minute time, the Panamera Turbo will become the fastest four-door sedan on the 'Ring by a whopping 10 seconds. While this benchmark is no match for the current record holder overall, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ at 6:44.97 minutes, the Panamera Turbo will be quicker than full-fledged sports cars like the Dodge Viper ACR, Porsche 911 GT3, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06, and even the Porsche 918 Spyder.

The updated Porsche Panamera Turbo could boasts almost 600 horsepower

The facelifted version of the Panamera Turbo will most likely arrive with a mild-hybrid drivetrain that will continue to feature the twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 gasoline engine. The outgoing model benefits from 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque, so the facelift model could hit the market with around 580 horses and more than 600 pound-feet of twist. The extra oomph and the electric power would justify a 27-second faster lap on the Nurburgring.