You want to lap the Nurburgring in less than 10 minutes. What car do you choose to give yourself a challenge and keep things interesting? A 52hp, 1.4-litre diesel Citroen AX, of course...

Now, an AX GT or GTI we could understand, but a naturally aspirated diesel? Surely not.

It seems one Youtube user was determined to break the 10-minute barrier though - and finally, after seven years, 118 laps, nine engines and five gearboxes, at 8:37am on August 17 2013, said AX enthusiast nailed his goal with a 9min 55sec Bridge to Gantry lap.

Apart from some sticky Yokohama AO48s, a small increase in fuel pressure, a strut bar (apparently because of the "mileage of the body") and an aluminium intake from the top-spec 1.5D engine to avoid said turret brace, the AX was mechanically stock.

Even with fully independent suspension at the rear and tipping the scales at just 720kg - thanks to a completely stripped out interior - it's quite an achievement. From the montage at the end of the video it seems driver and AX built up quite a bond, with the owner even sleeping in it in his quest to bag "the perfect lap."

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the vid