The Porsche 911 GT3 has blitzed the Nürburgring in 7m 12s

Stop what you’re doing. Porsche has posted a ‘Ring time for the new 911 GT3, and it’s quick. 7 minutes, 12.7 seconds, set by Porsche test driver Lars Kern in a “standard trim” car equipped with the PDK ‘box, Michelin Pilot Sport 2s and optional rear-wheel steering.

That storming time equates to a 12.3s gain over its GT3 predecessor around the circuit, which is some considerable margin. We're told on the day, the air temperature was eight degrees, while the track itself was 14 degrees: "ideal" for Kern to go full throttle.

"A few years ago," explains Andreas Preuninger, Porsche's GT boss, "lap times like this could only ever be achieved by thoroughbred racing cars with slick tyres. The new GT3 can now achieve this with comparatively modest power, but is still fully suited to everyday use."

The engine is the only major difference between this new GT3 and the car it replaces – the 4.0-litre, naturally aspirated flat-six gives that higher red-line and 24 more horsepower.

"If you can drive fast on the Nordschleife," Frank-Steffan Walliser, Porsche's VP of Motorsport said, "you can drive fast anywhere in the world."

Hit play on the video above for the full, blood-curdling run. The noise that 4.0-litre makes at the very top end is quite intense.

We've driven the new GT3, in both manual and PDK form. Check out our reviews at the links below...

Porsche 911 GT3 review: 493bhp supercar tested (with the PDK 'box)

Porsche 911 GT3 review: manual 4.0-litre driven