Official ZR1 Ring Times!

[baddabang]

2008-June-27
Ripping the ‘Ring: Stock ZR1 Laps Nürburgring in 7:26.4
By: Tadge J. Juechter
Corvette Chief Engineer

Over the last two weeks, we have been doing our final tuning and testing there before we start ZR1 production cars. This morning (Friday June 27), General Motors development engineer Jim Mero drove the Corvette ZR1 around the Nürburgring in a time of 7:26.4.

The car was bone stock with the exception of the communications and safety equipment. The tires were production Michelin Pilot Sport 2’s. These tires have been developed specifically for the ZR1 and will have impressive wet traction and wear (tread wear rating = 220), in addition to excellent dry road holding. Chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs. Likewise, the engine calibrations were absolutely stock, emissions compliant and the car ran on pump (not racing) fuel. The vehicle was exactly like the cars that will be built in Bowling Green, Kentucky and sold around the world later this summer.

Despite posting one of the fastest times ever run by a production car, Nürburgring lap times were not an over-riding priority in the development of the ZR1. The truth is, if the only priority was speed at the ring, the car would not be very pleasant to drive on American roads. The ZR1 is an incredibly capable track machine, but unlike most ultra-high performance cars, it is very easy to live with on a daily basis.

GMnext | GM Blog: Alternative Fuels, Technology, & Innovation » Blog Archive » Ripping the ‘Ring: Stock ZR1 Laps Nürburgring in 7:26.4

Discuss.

[Roentgen]

Omg, that's faster than a Zonda F! The Zonda did it in 7:27:82!

[clutch-monkey]

niiice. must have had a lot of variables that went 'right' for them.

[digitalcraft]

Color me... unsurprised.


So. 3 seconds faster than the GT-R. We done now?

[baddabang]

Originally Posted by digitalcraft

Color me... unsurprised.


So. 3 seconds faster than the GT-R. We done now?

No. GT-R VSPEC is next.

[Ingolstadt]

638hps wat do you expect? Zonda Fs 500+ right? GTR's 380hp right?

[clutch-monkey]

GTR is 500hp...
isn't the viper ACR thing that was just released supposed to compete with this? curious to see what dodge does...

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Roentgen

Omg, that's faster than a Zonda F! The Zonda did it in 7:27:82!

I read the track was mildly wet for that time.

EDIT: I want to see the T1 take on the ring.

[monaroCountry]

-The timed lap was run with a rolling start, a departure from our previous practice of standing starts. This is more aligned with current industry practice.

-Over the last two weeks, we have been doing our final tuning and testing there before we start ZR1 production cars. This morning (Friday June 27), General Motors development engineer Jim Mero drove the Corvette ZR1 around the Nürburgring in a time of 7:26.4.

-Jim commented after the lap that conditions were good except for a strong headwind down the main straight and that the lap was solid, but he felt there were a few places he could have gone faster.

-Despite posting one of the fastest times ever run by a production car, Nürburgring lap times were not an over-riding priority in the development of the ZR1. The truth is, if the only priority was speed at the ring, the car would not be very pleasant to drive on American roads.

[092326001]

at least they didn't do the CTS-V cheat

[clutch-monkey]

what's the CTS-V cheat?

[P4g4nite]

Can't wait for EVO to drive it, dunno what they could compare it to though. Be interesting to read what they say after reporting that the ZO6 already felt "too fast for everywhere".

-The timed lap was run with a rolling start, a departure from our previous practice of standing starts. This is more aligned with current industry practice.

Wait, weren't all the Corvette fanboys crying bloody tears of rage that the GTR didn't do a standing start lap?

[kingofthering]

Originally Posted by monaroCountry

-The timed lap was run with a rolling start, a departure from our previous practice of standing starts. This is more aligned with current industry practice.

-Over the last two weeks, we have been doing our final tuning and testing there before we start ZR1 production cars. This morning (Friday June 27), General Motors development engineer Jim Mero drove the Corvette ZR1 around the Nürburgring in a time of 7:26.4.

-Jim commented after the lap that conditions were good except for a strong headwind down the main straight and that the lap was solid, but he felt there were a few places he could have gone faster.

-Despite posting one of the fastest times ever run by a production car, Nürburgring lap times were not an over-riding priority in the development of the ZR1. The truth is, if the only priority was speed at the ring, the car would not be very pleasant to drive on American roads.

So...somehow you're going to blame the GT-R for this.

[clutch-monkey]

Originally Posted by monaroCountry

-Jim commented after the lap that conditions were good except for a strong headwind down the main straight and that the lap was solid, but he felt there were a few places he could have gone faster.

so what, it's the same for any fast lap/race.

[Ferrer]

Every furhter thread about the plastic car or the Datsun makes me dislike them a little bit more.