Hot damn, this is a record I can genuinely appreciate: French microcar maker (and, it should be noted, former F1 car builder) Ligier took three of their cars – technically, quadracycles, according to Euro classification rules – to the storied Nürburgring with the intention of breaking some lap records, and they succeeded, brilliantly. In fact, one of the cars, a JS50 diesel, beat the previous record holder’s time by almost nine and a half minutes. Oh, that’s 12 and a half minutes longer, because the record they beat was for the slowest Nürburgring lap time, which was 16:01, set by a Trabant back in 1960. Now, that slowest lap took a staggering 28 minutes and 25.8 seconds, and is held by Ligier.
In addition to the diesel JS50 setting the record-breaking lap, the other two cars set impressively slow laps as well. An electric JS50 did it in 27 minutes, 55.6 seconds, and the hot rod L7e electric version screamed out a lap in only 19 minutes, 53.4 seconds. Any of these times would have been enough to break the Trabant’s record, but the diesel one proved the winner.
So what’s the secret? How did Ligier pull off such an incredible upset? What sorts of cutting-edge slowness-enhancing tech are they using? A big part of their success seems to stem from the rules of the quadracycle class they’re in, and the fact that they are sans-permis cars (which can be driven by people too young for a license or who have no/have lost their license, or both, if you can find a drunk enough 14 year old) which limits top speed to just 28 mph. Also limiting speed is a 500cc engine making a horsepower output of eight, as in two horsepower less than most people have fingers.
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The diesel JS50 had some other impressive numbers to report, because it was driven from Paris to the ‘Ring by French automotive journalists Nicolas Meunier and Martin Coulomb on one tank of diesel, and then set its record-setting lap, all without refueling. The distance from Paris to the Nürburgring is about 312 miles, so that means the trip had to have taken them, what, over 11 hours! For fuel economy, though, they got, let’s see, the JS50 has a 4.49-gallon tank, so that’s close to 70 mpg! That’s pretty good!
Ligier released this nice inspirational video of the record run; the electric ones came in on the truck, the diesel drove itself, just to be clear:
Hot damn, look at that! Those little beasts are tearing the track up at speed nearing 30 miles per hour! That’s only about 16 mph slower than a horse or a greyhound! And about twice the speed of a Pomeranian!
This is truly a momentous day for Ligier, the Nürburgring, racing, leisureliness, and, yes, humanity itself.
If you like the way these race-spec Ligiers look, it seems the company is considering offering the “ultimate racing experience” package, complete with go-slower stripes and body kit, for people to buy. I hope they go through with that.
Also, I now realize that I think I can beat this record with my 1.1-horsepower Changli; when I took it to the track that one time, I was barely able to get it past 20-ish mph. Look:
So, I think this has a real shot at beating the Ligier’s record! I just need to, you know, get it to Germany. Oh, and get it running again.
Top graphic image: Ligier
I bet I can beat that record. I’ll take a riding mower to the Nurburgring and see how it stacks up.
Also, I love geeking out about how speed is relative:
28 mph = moving very good in city traffic.
28 mph = record level slow on Nurbergring.
28 mph = Pro cyclist in the flats on the Tour de France, faster in sprints and downhills of course.
28 mph = frustratingly slow on an interstate
28 mph = stall speed of a bush plane.
28 mph = slow pitch softball.
28 mph = a hair faster than Usain Bolt
This is truly a great model name for a car “The D+” its almost a passing grade
The JS50 has real “short guy with big watch” energy.
ACO needs to set up a 24hr. Le Mans race just for these things. With the limited speed they could go back to the old school start where drivers had to run and jump in the car. And make it a true endurance test – one driver, one car. If they fall asleep, 28mph careening out of control isn’t going to cause much of a pile-up.
There are probably at least a few segments where the drivers could get a quick nap in
Should have picked the Ligier Zero Jaeger.
I’m curious as to why the EV was around 8 minutes faster than the petrol and diesel versions? If they are all limited to 30mph, I wouldn’t think acceleration or handling would be that much of a contributing factor?
The regular EV is only 30 seconds faster. The 8 minute faster version can apparently do 46mph instead of just 28. But then I wonder… why do they make a sans-permis car that breaks that rules and is no longer in that category of vehicle?
To show the blistering speed they would be capable of if THE MAN wasn’t holding them down.
Or it is legal in other places.
My guess is that the ICE models couldn’t maintain top speed up the steep uphill sections while the EV could. There’s a good chance the ICE models use a CVT operated by centrifugal weights rather than any kind of electronic control logic (a solution often seen in cheap scooters), which would effectively lock the engine to a certain RPM that’s likely below peak power.
On behalf of all of us who own a voiture sans permis I must say that this is indeed an occurrence which occurred.
Does the Changli have 12.9 miles of range?
Maybe you can get a factory sponsorship for the effort.
Driving slower isn’t hard, unless they tried to be fast it’s just people taking a leisurely drive
I should get one of these for next summer’s autocross season. Then at least I’d have an excuse.
There seems to be a lot of doubt as to whether the Changli could even complete a lap.
Only one solution, Changli relay! Station multiple Changlis around the Ring. Problem solved!
I was going to suggest a portmanteau of “changli” and “relay”, but no matter how you put those two words together it just ends up sounding mildly racist…
Whadda think the ‘ring is? Some sorta racetrack? Slow down and enjoy the sights.
Still slightly faster than the fastest known lap completed via bicycle. As current Strava KOM holder completed the lap in 28:50 at a speed of 26.7 mph.
Thanks I was going to look that up. I would guess that a pro racer could best that since the peloton routinely does 30mph. The UCI needs to use the Nordschleife for a time trial championship to blow away that Strava result
It looks like it was done during Pro Conti race. Surprising amount of climbing would make it difficult for someone like Remco to beat it solo. A World Tour TT squad would probably beat it. And a World Tour tour peloton would demolish it. Would be interesting to see if a solo man could beat a whole field of dudes getting paid to be there.
Ligier should now throw their hat back in the ring. Call up the FIA , we’re going back to Formula 1!
Just a thought, Jason. Have you considered repairing the Changli by actually using an electric chainsaw, batteries, motor, and all as the drive unit? Just have it drive the axle directly or via a chain and sprocket, rig up a cable that squeezes the trigger as you hit the gas pedal, and bring several spare batteries for mid-lap pit stops.
Not 500cc but 50cc.
Otherwise not quadracycle and not legal for under 18 kids.
Edited: turns out I am wrong. These things used to be 50cc years ago.
“…twice the speed of a Pomeranian”. Thank you Torch.
Assertion #1 – James May is not a fan of ‘Ring lap time record-setting exercises, particularly when they affect engineering and comfort [of the vehicles]
Assertion #2 – James May is Captain Slow
Assertion #3 – James May likes small cars of the people
Question: will the news of the Ligier record make James May happy or not happy?
Discuss.
I think he would be more excited about the excellent fuel economy getting to the track than the lap time.
Who on Earth wants this?!
James May.
Will James be happy?
James may.
[edit] dangit, 55 seconds late. [/edit]
James May is the Larry Fine of the Top Gear trio.
I think it will make him unhappy, as he’ll be kicking himself for not taking a VSP out on the ‘Ring for “Cars of the People”.
Hate to break it to you, but the difference between 16:01 and 28:25.5 isn’t 9 ½ minutes… it’s 12 ½ minutes.
SHIT, fixing
That sounds like a name for general maintenance and/or futzing about:
“Whatcha doing?”
“Not much – just some sh*tfixing”
I’m going to start using that at work. As controller/HR for a good-sized hotel it actually describes a large portion of my work life.
If Autopian signs up another 2825 members by July then Jason will ship the Changli (and enough chainsaws for any necessary repairs) to Nürburg, Germany for a crack at the record!!!
Since I don’t know if the Changli can complete a Lap, I would suggest that Jason does the trip in a Sinclair. Even if the battery is dead, he can still pedal.
https://youtu.be/jm1Lda_-o68
Does this have lights on it so it can run after dark? Even in Mid-summer it’s going to be close.
I occasionally watch ‘Ring vids but I don’t have this kind of time to spare.
Is the Changli even capable of operating for 30 minutes at a time? When it is operating!?
If Otto pushes, maybe.
I’m confident that the Changli could easily surpass that. Probably easiest to just order another one and assemble there.
Genius