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300mph top speeds. 6min 30 at the Nürburgring. Are cars too fast? #277

300mph top speeds. 6min 30 at the Nürburgring. Are cars too fast? #277

The Intercooler Aug 25, 2025 63 min
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About this episode

The discussion dives into the world of extreme automotive performance, exploring the implications of cars reaching top speeds of 300 mph and beyond, and the recent sub-6:30 Nurburgring lap times. Hosts Dan Proser and Andrew Frankel debate whether this pursuit of speed is beneficial or excessive, reflecting on the historical context of performance testing and the role of car magazines in encouraging these benchmarks. They touch on the potential dangers of pushing limits and the evolving technology that enables such feats, while questioning if these records truly enhance the driving experience.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

top speeds

"...car magazine figuring top speeds, 300 mile an hour top speeds. It's all absolutely potty..."

Top speeds are the fastest speeds that cars can reach. It's an important number for sports cars to show how fast they can go.

Concept

Nürburgring times

"...it's arguably in a healthier, better state than it ever has been, or it's getting completely out of hand. Nurburgring times, nought to 400 kilometers per hour to nought battles..."

Nürburgring times are how long it takes cars to complete a lap on a famous racetrack in Germany. Car enthusiasts often compare these times to see which cars are faster or perform better.

Car

Lotus Carlton

"...a moral panic about the Lotus Carlton all those years ago? We're doing 177 miles an hour..."

The Lotus Carlton is a fast car made by Lotus in the 1990s. It was known for being very quick for a four-door family car, reaching speeds that were surprising for its type.

Car

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+

"...per hour top speeds. We know that the Bugatti the Chiron Super Sport 300 plus has already done 300 plus, 304. Do you remem..."

The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is an incredibly fast car that has set records for its speed, going over 300 miles per hour. People talk about it because it’s one of the fastest cars ever made and is very exclusive and luxurious.

Car

Mclaren F1

"I mean, he's the bloke who did 240 in McLaren F1 in 1998 and we all thought, blimey, no cars ever going to go faster than that."

The McLaren F1 is a famous super-fast car from the 1990s that could go 240 miles per hour. It was one of the fastest cars ever made back then.

Term

300 miles an hour

"...that a car would never do 300, a road car on road tires would ever do 300 miles an hour. And, you know, that just shows how wrong you can be."

300 miles an hour is a very high speed that cars can reach, especially high-performance ones. It's a benchmark for how fast cars can go on the road.

Term

electric motor

"...with, you know, as long as you've got a big enough battery and a powerful enough motor, you can just, you know, with electric..."

An electric motor is what makes electric cars move. It uses electricity instead of gasoline to power the car, which can make it very fast and efficient.

Term

battery

"...as long as you've got a big enough battery and a powerful enough motor..."

A battery in a car stores electricity, which is used to power the car's motor. The bigger the battery, the longer the car can run before needing to be recharged.

Car

Mercedes-Benz SLS

"And this was at the time of the electric SLS, Mercedes electric SLS. And I said to him, wouldn't it be really cool if we took..."

The Mercedes-Benz SLS is a high-end sports car famous for its unique doors that open upwards. There was also an electric version that showcased the brand's move towards electric cars.

Term

Nürburgring lap times

"So maybe we could start with Nürburgring lap times because it's because that's where something terrible is likely to happen. Most likely to happen."

Nürburgring lap times are how long it takes cars to drive around a famous racetrack in Germany. Car enthusiasts often compare these times to see which cars are the fastest.

Car

Mercedes-AMG One

"The record for a road legal car is now sub six minutes 30. 629 one by Mercedes AMG One."

The Mercedes-AMG One is a super-fast car that uses technology from Formula 1 racing. It has a powerful engine and electric motors that help it go really fast.

Car

Porsche 956

"...p of that race was recorded by Stefan Beloff in a Porsche 956. So a prototype slicks and wings full ground effe..."

The Porsche 356 is an old sports car that was the first model made by Porsche, starting in the late 1940s. It’s important because it helped make Porsche famous for building high-quality and fast cars.

Car

Porsche GT2 RS

"...when Porsche does the next GT2 RS, which I think we're pretty certain it's going to do, that it's going to want to go faster than that..."

The Porsche GT2 RS is a super-fast version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It's built for racing and is known for being one of the quickest cars on tracks.

Term

11 tenths effort

"Yeah. Yeah. An 11 tenths effort. Yeah. Blimey. It is quite something. And so,"

When someone talks about '11 tenths effort', they mean trying as hard as possible, even more than what seems possible. It's about giving it everything you have.

Car

Porsche 911

"with a mantai kit. And I think this was Lars Kern did a 643. That's back in 2021. And I think that's almost more impressive because it's a very trick 9-11, but underneath, that's just a 9-11. It's not a sort of purpose built hypercar weapon, like a..."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that has been around for a long time, known for its unique shape and powerful performance. It’s often talked about because it’s considered one of the best cars for driving enthusiasts, and people love to modify it to make it even faster.

Term

horsepower

"...speculating that it might have 700 plus horsepower. Now, if you think back to the previous GT2 RS..."

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower number, the faster and stronger the car can be.

Car

Porsche 911 Turbo

"the new car is going to have? You think with that hybrid engine. I mean, we were talking last week, weren't we, about the new 9-11 Turbo and speculating that it might have what, 700 plus horsepower. Now, if you think back to the previous GT2 RS,"

The Porsche 911 Turbo is a faster version of the regular 911, equipped with a turbocharged engine that makes it very powerful. People talk about it because it combines luxury and speed, and there’s excitement about new technology that could make it even better.

Car

Mercedes-Benz SL

"...o the previous GT2 RS, that was when a 9-11 Turbo SL, I think 550 horsepower and the GT2 RS had 693. S..."
Car

Porsche 911 Turbo Sl

"what, 700 plus horsepower. Now, if you think back to the previous GT2 RS, that was when a 9-11 Turbo SL, I think 550 horsepower and the GT2 RS had 693. So, basically it was a 140 horsepower gain. Now, let us say the 9-11 Turbo only has 700 horsepower only."

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is the most powerful version of the 911 Turbo, known for being super fast and luxurious. It’s often mentioned because it showcases the best of what Porsche can do in terms of performance and technology.

Car

Porsche 911 GT3

"...things. But then again, then you think of the N24 GT3 cars, which are still road car based. And I know ..."

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a special version of the 911 designed for racing and high performance. It’s known for being very fast and fun to drive, and people often discuss it because it’s one of the best cars for those who love motorsports.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"... others then. So very, very recently, a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X did a six minute 49. That's a hybrid version..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a popular sports car from America that is known for being fast and stylish. The ZR1X version is a newer model that uses hybrid technology, which means it combines a traditional engine with electric power for better performance.

Term

twin turbo V8

"with the twin turbo V8 from the ZR1..."

A twin turbo V8 is an engine that has eight cylinders and uses two turbochargers to make it more powerful. This helps the car go faster and perform better.

Term

all wheel drive

"and all wheel drive system from the e-ray..."

All wheel drive means that power goes to all four wheels of a car, which helps it grip the road better and improves control, especially in bad weather.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...at's now the fastest American car faster than the Mustang. Oh, I love it where they start qualifying it. Fa..."

The Ford Mustang is a classic American car that is famous for being fast and powerful. It’s often talked about because it has a strong history and is loved by many car enthusiasts for its sporty look and performance.

Car

Porsche 918 Spyder

"...ng a silly hat. Do you remember in 2013, when the 918 Spyder, the Porsche 918 Spyder did a 657. Yeah. A..."

The Porsche 918 Spyder is a super-fast sports car that uses both a regular engine and electric power to go really fast while being more efficient. It’s often talked about because it represents cutting-edge technology in the world of supercars.

Concept

track days

"you've had lots and lots of track days, maybe you've done a little bit of racing at a sort of, you know, amateur club level..."

Track days are special events where people can drive their cars on a racetrack. It's a safe place to go fast and practice driving skills without worrying about traffic.

Term

sub seven

"And he's trying to do a sub seven? Yeah, yeah."

'Sub seven' means finishing a lap in less than seven minutes. It's a goal for fast cars to show how quick they can go around a racetrack.

Term

hypercar

"With a hypercar. But yeah."

A hypercar is an extremely fast and expensive type of sports car that has the latest technology and performance features. They are some of the best cars in the world.

Term

front-wheel drive

"For the front drive, particularly, you know, if there was a,..."

Front-wheel drive means that the front wheels of the car are the ones that get the power from the engine. This helps the car move and can make it easier to handle, especially in bad weather.

Term

transverse engine

"...if there, you know, because I guess we just think of what's a car and a picture of a front drive transverse engine,..."

A transverse engine is when the engine is placed sideways in the car instead of front to back. This helps save space and is often used in smaller cars.

Car

Volkswagen Golf

"...the idea of one of those things that, you know, has been so tuned up the Wazoo by its creator that it's going around quicker than, you know, acknowledged sports cars. I find there's a certain sort of comic interest in that."

The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that many people like because it's easy to drive and has a lot of space inside. It's been around for a long time and is known for being fun to drive.

Concept

tuned up

"...the idea of one of those things that, you know, has been so tuned up the Wazoo by its creator that it's going around quicker than, you know, acknowledged sports cars."

When someone says a car is 'tuned up,' it means they have made changes to make it go faster or handle better. This can involve fixing or upgrading parts of the car.

Brand

Renault

"...the likes of VW and Honda and Seat and Renault were knocking lumps off each other."

Renault is a car company from France that makes various vehicles, including some electric models.

Brand

Seat

"...the likes of VW and Honda and Seat and Renault were knocking lumps off each other."

Seat is a car company from Spain that makes stylish and affordable cars, often seen as sporty.

Brand

Honda

"...the likes of VW and Honda and Seat and Renault were knocking lumps off each other."

Honda is a well-known car company from Japan that makes reliable vehicles, like the Civic and Accord.

Car

Lexus LFA

"...e of their nutty engineers in a Nurburgring pack, LFA, and did a 714. And we were all just thinking, ye..."

The Lexus LFA is a high-end sports car that is very rare and known for being extremely fast and powerful. It combines luxury features with amazing performance, making it a standout in the world of supercars.

Car

Volkswagen Golf GTI

"... this quite recently. So I won't bang on, but the Golf GTI Club Sport S, I think it was in 2015 around then."

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a sportier version of the regular Golf car, designed to be fun to drive while still being practical. It’s popular because it offers a good mix of speed and everyday usability, making it a favorite among car lovers.

Concept

Bilsterberg

"...at Bilsterberg, I think. And there was a bloat there who couldn't keep up..."

Bilsterberg is a racetrack in Germany where cars are tested and raced. It's a place where people can drive fast and enjoy the thrill of racing.

Car

Renault Clio

"...I raced a Clio there..."

The Renault Clio is a small car that is easy to drive and park. It's often used in racing because it's lightweight and nimble.

Term

0-100 time

"...head out, do a quick naught to 100,..."

0-100 time is how long it takes a car to go from zero speed to 100 kilometers per hour. It's a way to measure how fast a car can speed up.

Car

Koenigsegg Jesko

"...I think it was earlier this month, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolute stole the record back with a 25.21 secon..."

The Koenigsegg Jesko is a super-fast car that is known for being one of the most advanced cars in the world. People talk about it because it can go incredibly fast and has some of the latest technology in cars.

Car

Saab 900S

"Very good. Talladega in a bunch of Saab 900s. For a week."

The Saab 900 is a smaller car that was known for its unique style and turbocharged engines, which made it fun to drive. It has a special place in the hearts of car fans because of its quirky design and driving experience.

Car

Maruti Swifts

"...into the weeds would come along with their Suzuki Swifts and their Fiesta STs."

The Maruti Suzuki Swift is a small and affordable car that is very popular in India. It’s known for being reliable and good for city driving, making it a favorite choice for many people.

Car

Suzuki Swifts

"... blown into the weeds would come along with their Suzuki Swifts and their Fiesta STs."
Car

Ford Fiesta Sts

"...uld come along with their Suzuki Swifts and their Fiesta STs. Absolutely."

The Ford Fiesta ST is a sporty version of the regular Fiesta car, designed to be fun and exciting to drive. It’s popular among car lovers because it’s small, quick, and great for city driving.

Car

Jaguar XJ220

"... can remember other cars which really, I mean the XJ220, before the F1 obviously, so in 1992 did 63.6 sec..."

The Jaguar XJ220 is a super-fast car from the 1990s that was famous for its beautiful design and high speed. It’s often talked about because it was one of the fastest cars of its time and is now quite rare.

Car

Fiat Tipo

"...e were big milestones. I can remember there was a Fiat Tipo, which was the first diesel powered car to go und..."

The Fiat Tipo Cross is a small crossover vehicle that is designed to be practical and versatile. It’s good for driving in the city and can handle some rougher roads, making it a popular choice for many drivers.

Car

Ford Sierras

"or you just dissolve the rear tires and wheel spin. I can remember cars like tuned Ford Sierra's with 400 horsepower were almost impossible to get a decent set of numbers out of"

The Ford Sierra 3 Doors is a smaller car that was popular a while ago, known for its sporty look and fun driving experience. People remember it because it was a favorite among car fans who liked to modify and make it faster.

Car

Gm Sierras

"or you just dissolve the rear tires and wheel spin. I can remember cars like tuned Ford Sierra's with 400 horsepower were almost impossible to get a decent set of numbers out of"
Car

Dodge Ram

"... change gear, because if you tried to really just ram it through, there was a very good chance you'd br..."

The Dodge Ram is a big pickup truck that is built for tough jobs and can carry heavy loads. People talk about it because it’s strong and reliable, making it a popular choice for both work and everyday use.

Car

Porsche Panamera

"...stently as you did, but I remember just a Porsche Panamera Turbo drove it up to Brunting Thorpe,"

The Porsche Panamera is a fancy four-door car that is both luxurious and sporty. It’s designed for people who want a comfortable ride but also enjoy driving fast, making it a unique option in the luxury car market.

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