sport auto has once again put two of the world’s most track-focused road cars through the ultimate performance benchmark, pitting the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) against the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series in a head-to-head comparison around Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Behind the wheel of both machines was sportauto test driver Christian Gebhardt, one of the most experienced Nürburgring evaluators in the industry. Having overseen the publication’s renowned Supertest program since 2015, Gebhardt has recorded Nordschleife lap times in more than 130 performance cars. His extensive racing résumé also includes 20 consecutive appearances in the Nürburgring 24 Hours since 2007, lending exceptional credibility to the comparison.
The results highlight just how closely matched these engineering masterpieces are. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS completed the demanding 20.8-kilometer circuit in an outstanding 6:54.99, showcasing its naturally aspirated flat-six engine, advanced aerodynamics, and track-focused chassis. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series edged ahead with a lap of 6:52.54, securing a slim advantage of just 2.45 seconds.
To ensure a fair evaluation, both cars were equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R semi-slick tires developed specifically for each manufacturer. The Porsche ran the N0-specification version, while the AMG used the MO1A variant, allowing each vehicle to perform on manufacturer-approved rubber without compromising comparability.
Renowned for its relentless combination of high-speed corners, dramatic elevation changes, technical sections, and blind crests, the Nordschleife remains one of the toughest proving grounds for any production vehicle. Recording a sub-seven-minute lap is widely regarded as a benchmark reserved for the world’s elite performance cars.
Although the AMG GT Black Series emerged as the faster machine in outright lap time, the remarkably close margin underscores the extraordinary capabilities of both vehicles. Whether one prefers the Porsche’s precision and naturally aspirated character or the AMG’s immense twin-turbocharged performance, the Supertest confirms that both belong among the finest track-focused sports cars ever built.
Source: sport auto
