The Porsche 918 Spyder has set a new lap record for road cars at the Nurburgring. 

The new record, set at 6 minutes and 57 seconds, was set by Porsche factory race driver Marc Lieb, who also posted an average speed of 178kph. In achieving the new time Porsche has shaved some 14 seconds off the previous record, set in 2009 by the Gumpert Apollo Sport. Porsche says the record is a demonstration of the 'enormous potential' that lies within the plug-in hybrid. McLaren has previously stated its intentions to complete a lap of the Nurburgring circuit in less than seven minutes with the new 903hp P1.

The 875bhp supercar, unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show, has a top speed of 344kph and will be built in a run of no more than 918 units.

For more pictures, head to our Porsche 918 Spyder gallery.