The Ford GT Mk IV, in an evolution of its mid-engined supercar lineage from 2016, has shattered the Nürburgring Nordschleife record for production cars with a lap time of 6 minutes and 15.997 seconds. This achievement marks the quickest ever for a street-legal car on this famous German track.

First built during the Great Depression to provide jobs, the Nürburgring has long been a proving ground for automotive prowess. But its notorious challenges—hundreds of feet in elevation and over 73 corners per lap—make it a true test of endurance and engineering excellence.

I tried my hand at this legendary track last summer. The bumps, narrowness and countless corners made me feel like I was in a bumpy roller coaster with no safety harness. It’s clear that even after many laps, comfort is not the focus here; speed and control reign supreme.

The GT Mk IV’s feat places it behind only two electric and hybrid marvels: Volkswagen's ID.R (6:05.336) and Porsche's 919 Evo (5:19.546). The track’s record, initially set by the legendary Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 Group C race car back in 1984, has finally been broken.

For now, Ford can claim that the GT Mk IV is the third-fastest production car on this challenging circuit, though some may argue that Bellof’s time isn’t officially recorded. Regardless, it stands as a testament to modern automotive engineering and the relentless pursuit of speed.