Today news dropped, thanks to Agent009, that McLaren too has beat the illustrious seven minute mark for a hot lap around the world famous Nürburgring in Germany. Considered a benchmark to many in the automotive industry — regardless of tires, temperature, driver — it has become the "it" metric all sports cars have to be measured by.
Though we can argue all day long about the silliness of this yardstick, I think we have to ask ourselves a more intriguing question: so, now what?
Clearly, the vehicles that are capable of producing such extreme times are immensely powerful and using the highest technology in the industry. From hybrid systems to new types of carbon fiber, there's nothing like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder. Well, maybe the Ferrari LaFerrari but we'll see if that ever goes around the 'Ring.
Long story short, where do we go from here?
Does the industry continue to senselessly produce even faster vehicles OR do we turn to making them more efficient? HOW will the technology seen in the P1 and 918 trickle down in road-going cars?
What say you, Spies?
**By the way, if you haven't seen McLaren's all-new video, it's masterful. It deserves a click.
What is it that brings us back here? What drives us to go faster, push harder and brake later? Just to lap the Nordschleife in under 7 minutes....