Porsche has reclaimed the record for the fastest lap time for a four-door production car at the iconic Nürburgring race track in Germany, less than a year after losing the mantle to China’s Xiaomi, one of the world’s leading smartphone companies.

The Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra model, a tri-motor high-performance electric sedan, took the title last June, but Porsche has returned to the track with another special edition of the electric Taycan, shaving 10 seconds off Xiaomi’s time, and completing the lap in under 6 minutes 56 seconds on the almost 21 km track.

Kevin Giek, the head of the Taycan model line said the new Manthey Kit offers a “unique upgrade” for the Taycan Turbo GT. “The small but impactful project team from Manthey and Porsche has succeeded in transferring the Manthey DNA into a kit for electric vehicles. This effort has culminated in an impressive new Nordschleife record,” he said.

This lap record post got mixed comments with some congratulating the sports car brand and said: “Congrats Porsche! ” Others compared it to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and said: “That’s actually pathetic considering this [Xiaomi SU7 Ultra] is only 9 seconds behind while costing ⅓ the price”.

The latest lap run with the Manthey Kit adds further performance to the 4-door sedan and has performed even better than the Weissach package it had used previously, which helped the car do the same lap in 7 minutes and 7 seconds.

The kit includes quite a few components, covering aerodynamic parts like the massive rear carbon-fibre wing, front diffuser, rear carbon aero discs to help reduce drag. These parts alone will help triple the downforce over the standard model.

Other components included cassis and suspension tuning as well as lighter 21-inch forged wheels, paired with street-legal wider tyres.

According to Porsche, the car that got that lap time was fitted with special track tyres, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS, which likely provided better grip around corners. 

On the braking front, the kit includes a larger braking system, performance brake pads for a significant bump in deceleration rate.

Powering was also increased with maximum discharge current from the battery being increased, helping with a 10-second Attack Mode, where 730 kW of power is available. 

The latest lap time from Porsche in the Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit appears to be in a highly modified car, which does not meet the “production” car description in our eyes. 

We look forward to seeing what Xiaomi counters this with; after all, it’s the SU7 Ultra Prototype that lapped the same circuit in under 6 minutes and 23 seconds, over 30 seconds faster than the latest Porsche.

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT lap

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Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.

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What You Need to Know

• You typically need a title to sell a car. It provides legitimate proof of ownership. 
• Selling a vehicle without a title or proof of ownership is illegal in most jurisdictions, but there are ways you can sell a vehicle without one.
• If you owe money on the car, most lenders will require that you pay off the note before releasing the title.

When you sell a car, its title proves you own the vehicle. The title contains all the vital information about the car, like its vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, and date the title was issued. Without it, ownership is hard to prove. If you’re trying to sell a car but you don’t have the title, don’t panic. Sometimes, there’s a perfectly logical explanation, such as the lender currently holding a lien on the vehicle. Maybe it was lost, stolen, or otherwise damaged. Maybe the car itself was stolen (in which case, you should report it to the police before continuing).

Buying and selling a vehicle without proof of ownership is illegal in most jurisdictions. If you find yourself without the title for whatever reason, you will need to resolve it before proceeding with the sale. How you do that depends on your circumstances and the state where you’re doing business. Many states now issue electronic titles (e-titles) to reduce storage and administrative costs and to streamline title transfers. In some cases, sellers might search for a misplaced physical title when it’s actually a digital-only record. Read more about them in our car title guide.

If you do need a replacement title, here’s the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Request a Replacement Car Title

If the title is lost, damaged, or stolen, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and find out how to obtain a new one. You can also check the DMV’s government website for details, including the cost to replace or duplicate the title.

Remember that if the odometer reading or any other part of a title has been altered, most DMVs will not consider the document valid and will require a replacement.

Step 2: Explore Alternate Titling Options

Some states offer ways to title an abandoned vehicle or car with outstanding repair bills.

In Virginia, for example, you can file a mechanic’s lien for unpaid bills if you provide the proper documentation. You can also file for an abandoned vehicle title. This is a process in which the state uses the vehicle identification number (VIN) to attempt contact with the vehicle’s last known owner, giving them a right of first refusal. More states have tightened rules regarding abandoned vehicles to prevent fraud. The process is usually lengthy and requires certified notices.

Step 3: Write up a Bill of Sale

Some states did not issue titles until as recently as 1975. If this is the case for you, a bill of sale may be adequate proof of ownership. If so, check your state’s regulations on presenting a bill of sale. Some states require that sellers use a state form as a bill of sale.

Most states require a bill of sale form to print out or pick up at a DMV branch. A bill of sale typically includes the sale date, price, vehicle details (year/make/model/VIN/mileage), buyer/seller information, and signatures.

MORE: How to Sell a Car: 10 Steps for Success

Step 4: Get a Notary

Some states require a bill of sale to be notarized, and it’s not a bad idea to take this step even if it’s not required. Having a notary witness the transfer of vehicle ownership can legitimize the transaction when selling an auto without a title.

Step 5: Be Upfront With Your Buyer

If you don’t have a title and can’t get one — this is sometimes the case with older project or parts vehicles — make sure the buyer knows from the start that you don’t have all the documentation required to make a legitimate sale.

If you owe money on the car, most lenders will require that you pay off the note before releasing the title. However, you may be able to arrange a transfer through the lender if the buyer is willing to pay off or pick up your payments.

RELATED: 7 Ways to Protect Yourself When Selling a Car Privately

Step 6: Keep Copies of Everything

Even after you have sold the vehicle and it’s long gone, ensure you keep copies of all paperwork associated with ownership and transfer. You can’t be sure that the new owner will title the vehicle, and you don’t want to be held liable for anything that might happen involving that vehicle in the future.

Also, if there are ownership questions later on (if you’re contacted by someone making an abandoned vehicle claim, for example), you’ll have your bases covered.

Step 7: Notify Your State of the Sale

When selling a car, be sure the state where the vehicle is titled knows that you’ve sold it. Notify the DMV as soon as you’ve signed the bill of sale. This way, you will avoid further taxation and fees.

Can You Buy a Car Without the Title?

We talked about selling a vehicle with no title. But can you buy a car without one? Technically, buying a car without the title is possible, especially if you financed the vehicle. However, when purchasing a car from a private seller, you need the title because it provides proof of ownership. Unless the vehicle is an older model, vintage, or classic car, purchasing a car without a title could mean you’re buying a stolen car.

MORE: How to Sell a Car Online

Can You Register a Car Without a Title?

No, you cannot register a car without a title unless it is exempted by your local DMV. You will need the title to register a vehicle, meaning you won’t even be able to drive it legally. Always check with your local motor vehicle agency for requirements on car titles and vehicle registrations.

If you buy a car from a private seller when the bank holds the title, use a reputable escrow service. The service will collect the funds from you to pay off the seller’s loan and send you the title. Alternatively, you could meet the seller at the lender’s office.

Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Renee Valdes contributed to the report.

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