Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1

[digitalcraft]

I agree. Love everything but the gimicky hood window.

[Kitdy]

The ZR1 just lapped the Nürburgring in 7:26. The fight with Nissan is on.

[LotusLocost]

Originally Posted by Kitdy

The ZR1 just lapped the Nürburgring in 7:26. The fight with Nissan is on.

You mean that V6 powered Nissan?
The one with 231 kg's more body weight?
And 147 hp and 219 NM less?

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by LotusLocost

You mean that V6 powered Nissan?
The one with 231 kg's more body weight?
And 147 hp and 219 NM less?

Yes that Nissan, the one who's bigger badder brother will have 550 or so hp, weight about 200-300 pounds less than the standard GT-R, features a possibly advantageous AWD system, and will be in the similar price bracket. The one that along with the ZR1 has the goal of being the fastest non-track special around the 'ring.

Yes they are different, but both set out to do the same thing albeit in different ways - they are still comparable.

[Matra et Alpine]

Drive past on the 26th

[Matra et Alpine]

from bridgetogantry.com blog

Corvette ZR1 laps the 'ring in 7min26.4s
Written by Dale Lomas
Friday, 27 June 2008
... Nissan's Skyline GTR weeps

According to the blog of Tadge J. Juechter (Corvette Chief Engineer) the new ZR1 set a laptime of 7min26.4s this morning, as verified by the onboard datalogging and two hand-held stopwatches. About fricking time, we say!

The lap was set by development driver Jim Mero.Naturally, the GM boys are quietly confident, as this understated quote from Tadge confirms:

"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."

Tadge is also very keen to point out how totally stock this car was:

"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."

The full lap will apparently be online sometime during the week of July 7th... we can hardly wait...

[Jack_Bauer]

Christ, we seriously aren't going to do this whole debate AGAIN are we?!

The ZR1 looks like it's going to be a very good car. The GTR has already been firmly established as a very good car. All the bickering and arguments between the fanbois of each (not just here, over the whole internet it seems) is ultimately silly and pointless.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

Tadge J. Juechter

I'm sorry but I can't take seriously anything said by a man with such a name.

[Matra et Alpine]

Me too, F I googled before posting that info as I was convinced it was a wind up and nobody could really have that as a name --- I was wrong .... poor guy.
J_B, I think the info from the ZR1 team clarifies lots for us about setup etc etc. Going to save any arguments later about how much "production" it is ! Might go and try to track them down adn see if I can blag a closer look

EDIT: Was checking "Tadge"'s blog and saw a posted comment which puts some of the "low cost sportscar" into perspective ...

It’s unfortunate that most of us long time Vette owners have backed out of trying to buy one since dealers are asking up to $200,000 per copy.
I have owned Vettes since 1985 and currently own a 2006 Z06. I’m switching over to a Viper ACR which is a lot more affordable due to the ZR1 price gouging. I know GM can’t control that; however, GM is losing out on long time Vette buyers.

[Gt1Street]

released with no info attached :/

[Ferrer]

Look it's doing a million!

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Look it's doing a million!

You are a very funny man I must admit.

But of more importance, is that a million kilometers an hour or a million miles an hour?

That is critical.

Those shots are nice, but I think that the ring would look a lot better if it didn't have all that graffiti on it.

[Gt1Street]

Originally Posted by Kitdy

Those shots are nice, but I think that the ring would look a lot better if it didn't have all that graffiti on it.

I must say that you wouldn't notice the majority of it while driving, At list I didnt durring all 7 Laps I did there...

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Gt1Street

I must say that you wouldn't notice the majority of it while driving, At list I didnt durring all 7 Laps I did there...

You hit the ring eh? Pretty cool. What car was it in?

My complaint about the graffiti was mostly for glamour shots like the one you posted.

[Gt1Street]

Originally Posted by Kitdy

You hit the ring eh? Pretty cool. What car was it in?

My complaint about the graffiti was mostly for glamour shots like the one you posted.

Yup, It was in a rented VW Golf V GTi boasting 230 HP with Racing seats, Roll cage and Upgraded racing Bilstein shocks. It was one of the most awesome experiences in my life so far !