I’m not going to do my normal “setting the tone” introduction for this article. I’m confused as anything and just want to get the point. The car we’re covering in today’s article about the Green Hell is the Alfa Romeo 4C.
I’m truly baffled by how slow the 4C is around the ‘Ring, almost speechless even (which doesn’t happen often). The little Alfa ran a time of 8:04 by Horst von Saurma (a driver at Sport Auto). You might not think that’s especially slow, but the 4C has 237 HP and a weight of 1,978 pounds in European Spec. Keep in mind that the 4C’s time isn’t a factory time either (which none of the other times on this list will be either) Anyway, here are the cars that best the 4C.
6: The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it here: I don’t like comparing lap times. As soon as you bring lap times into an automotive discussion, that discussion becomes an argument. Especially when the lap times are one second apart.
I thought about going into detail while I don’t like comparing lap times here, but I’ll save that topic for another article. For now, let’s just get into the lap time set by the XKR-S. It did an 8:03. With that in mind, I think it’s a little bit more accurate to say the 4C is “on pace” with the XKR-S. In any case, it’s surprising the Jag even put up a fight against the 4C.
5: The 2009 Aston Martin DBS
First the Jaaaag, now an Aston. Jeremy Clarkson once said that the DBS isn’t a thoroughbred. It was more like a DB9S. That’s not important to the article. I just wanted to through in some old TG trivia. Anyway, the lap time. Despite being more akin to a DB9S than a whole new car, this GT car serves up an impressive 8:02 at the 12-mile track. Keep in mind that the lap time was set by the same driver as the XKR-S: Horst von Saurma. That makes the lap time all the more impressive and should keep those complaining about “they didn’t even have the same driver” quiet.
4: The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
Let’s be real, it’s not surprising this is faster than a 4C. I didn’t intend on including this car in the article for that very reason, but I don’t really have a choice. This is the next car that comes up after the DBS (that Horst drove). Not only that, it’s faster than the DBS as well. The F360 Challenge ran a time of 7:56.
3: The BMW F10 M5 Competition
The M5 isn’t a bad handling car, not at all. However, it must take some kind of witchcraft to make it faster than the lightweight track-special that is the 4C. Sure it has more horsepower, but this generation of M5 is RWD (like the 4C). Meaning it’s not getting off the corners like it’s future AWD self. No matter, for the M5 ran the ‘Ring to the tune of 7:54. Perhaps that in itself is not impressive, but it is impressive how much faster that is over the 4C.
2: The BMW M2 Competition
Don’t even get me started on how to fathom this. I know the M2 Comp has been heralded as a good improvement over the old M2, but it still weighs 3,582 pounds or 1,624 kilograms (according to R&T). That puts it at a 1600 pound (725 kg) disadvantage. That’s very nearly the weight of another 4C! Which is actually quite amusing now that I think about it…
Nevertheless, the M2 Competition has a time of 7:52.3. Beating out the 4C and nearly matching the pace of the Stelvio QV.
1: The Porsche Panamera Turbo
Yes, the elephant car has made it onto this list. Remember that TG episode where the trio took an Aston Martin Rapide, a Maserati Quattroporte S, and a Porsche Panamera Turbo around the business park and took to it a wedding? Man, I love that episode. I don’t think I liked the way the Panamera looked back then though (much like two of the three presenters). If there is one thing that episode proved, it’s that looks don’t dictate performance.
Today, we’re here to prove the same thing. I will confess one thing though: This car wasn’t driven by Horst von Saurma. It was actually driven by Walter Röhrl for MotorTrend back in 2009. I decided to include it on this list anyway because the time is too surprising to leave out. Speaking of which, the Porsche ran the ‘Ring in 7:56. Even if the 4C could get under the 8-minute barrier, I don’t know how close it would come to the Panamera’s time. Let alone if it would beat that time at all.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post. Tell me which one surprised you the most in the comments below. See you soon.