Niche French car manufacturer Delage believes it can set a new Nurburgring production car lap record with its D12 hypercar.
Unveiled in functional form at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the first time, the Delage D12 is a futuristic-looking hypercar with a potent powertrain. And, according to the automaker, it isn’t all show and no go.
hile speaking with Autocar at Goodwood, Delage indicated that the hardcore D12 Club version of the car should be able to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6 minutes and 40 seconds. If true, that means it could beat the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ that holds the current production car lap record with a time of 6 minutes and 44.97 seconds.
Delage wants to take the D12 to the ‘Ring in 2023 to chase the record.
Read More: Delage’s New D12 Hypercar Is Inspired By Formula 1
Two variants of the car are being developed, dubbed the D12 GT and the D12 Club. Both feature a naturally-aspirated 7.6-liter V12 that churns out 976 hp at 8,200 rpm and 614 lb-ft (832 Nm) of torque at 6,200 rpm. The D12 GT pairs this engine with a small electric motor delivering an extra 109 hp, lifting combined power to 1,085 hp and 794 lb-ft (1,076 lbs). This variant tips the scales at 1,390 kg (3,064 lbs) dry.
As for the D12 Club, it too has the same 7.6-liter V12 in the same specification but makes do with a compact 20 hp electric motor that will only be used for low-speed driving, parking, and reverse. It has a combined 996 hp and 652 lb-ft (884 Nm) but will weigh 90 kg (198 lbs) less than the GT, making it quicker around a racetrack.
In a straight line, Delage claims the D12 GT needs just 2.6 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) while the D12 Club can hit the same mark in 2.9 seconds.