Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Hits the Nürburgring!

[toffytofik]

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/future/09.chevrolet.corvette.zr1/09.corvette.zr1.f34.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/future/09.chevrolet.corvette.zr1/09.corvette.zr1.pro.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/future/09.chevrolet.corvette.zr1/09.corvette.zr1.r34.500.jpg

After months of seeing the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=124018) sitting on a stand at auto shows, we can finally bring you video of the 620-horsepower supercar in action — and you won't be disappointed. Shot on the Nürburgring test track in Germany, the engineers behind the wheel of the most powerful Corvette ever were flogging it hard and we have the lap times to prove it.

According to our shooters on the ground, the Corvette ZR1 was turning in lap times in the low 1:40s, a pace that puts it right up there with the world's fastest supercars. And given the damp conditions and rough, hand-timed numbers, you can expect to see even quicker official lap times when Chevrolet goes public with its Nürburgring data.

Introduced earlier this year at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/detroit/2008/index.html), the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is a limited-production version of the standard Corvette. It features a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8 rated at 620 hp and 595 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed transmission sends power to the 335/35R20 tires. Extensive use of carbon fiber gives the ZR1 a unique look, but it still weighs a few hundred pounds more than a standard Corvette Z06.

That said, the folks at Chevrolet aren't worried about the performance potential of their $100,000 halo car. According to ZR1 Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter, the ZR1 will beat the track record for production cars at any road course in the world.

Looks like they still have some work to do at the Nürburgring, because the Nissan GT-R (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=123066) has already run a lap of 1:38. We're guessing the ZR1 will be able to shave off another 4 seconds without much trouble. The only question now is how much quicker than 1:38 can it go? We'll keep you posted.

Source (spy video available!): http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=125496 (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=125496#3)7:40 is a joke. Weather it's damp conditions of the track, inaccurate laptime measurements or whatever... it should be way faster than that.

[nthfinity]

"7:40 is a joke. Weather it's damp conditions of the track, inaccurate laptime measurements or whatever... it should be way faster than that.""

They obviously haven't gone "balls to the walls" yet, and low 7:40's is hardly a joke when testing the suspension.... that would be akin to timing the new GTR, and GTR V spec during the same conditions ... these few weeks are shakedown tests ;)

GM are running the NS for about 2 weeks..... toward the end of that time, I would expect a more "public" number to be released ;)

[rusrocket]

why are they saying 1:40 instead of 7:40

[RC45]

why are they saying 1:40 instead of 7:40

Because just like 98% of all media outlets, Edmunds is run by clueless jackasses and moronic idiots just in it for the advertising money ;)

I know of 9 year olds that could read a prepared script better that the one in the video.

;)

[toffytofik]

They obviously haven't gone "balls to the walls" yet, and low 7:40's is hardly a joke when testing the suspension.... that would be akin to timing the new GTR, and GTR V spec during the same conditions ... these few weeks are shakedown tests ;)
Yup, exactly what i thought shortly after posting the thread. There're two guys in the car, at least one of them is engineer (if not both).

[styla21]

CAN'T WAIT!! :twisted:

[madpony]

You know I wouldn't at all be surprised if all out Chevy comes back with something in the high 20s. That would put it in some nice company too; Carrera GT/Zonda. Of course if it comes in under the new Vspec time RC will have a heyday.:-)

[RC45]

CAN'T WAIT!! :twisted:

Hmmm.. you sound as excited as if you were one of the "family"..... you are still joining the "family" right? ;)

Of course if it comes in under the new Vspec time RC will have a heyday.:-)

What? Me worry? http://images.goantiques.com/thumbnails_bobvila/ZLR0303/ZLR03037145AN.jpg

[nthfinity]

You know I wouldn't at all be surprised if all out Chevy comes back with something in the high 20s. That would put it in some nice company too; Carrera GT/Zonda. Of course if it comes in under the new Vspec time RC will have a heyday.:-)

I'm not expecting "much" under 7:30, for the main reason that the new ZR1 is a GT, and not a track oriented street car.... I'm looking for the Viper SRT-10 ACR to set something special when it comes to lap time if they are willing with the cost of spending a week or two at NS over at Chrysler...

[graywolf624]

Im just curious how much the heat soak will affect it. But gm wont show that.

[styla21]

Hmmm.. you sound as excited as if you were one of the "family"..... you are still joining the "family" right? ;)

Feels like I'm at the DNA testing lab waiting for results to come back.. Appears that all RHD conversions will be done here in Aus, but all performance mods, tweaks, and fittings will be done with MTI. Check email :-)

[RC45]

Feels like I'm at the DNA testing lab waiting for results to come back.. Appears that all RHD conversions will be done here in Aus, but all performance mods, tweaks, and fittings will be done with MTI. Check email :-)

Hehe - "Go Nuts" - nice ;)

Talking of going nuts, I might have a little something something being cooked up this summer - not many details are final yet, but how does 800bhp+ normally aspirated tickle the fancy?? ;)

[styla21]

You're always a step ahead.... But to say it sounds intriguing, would be a gross understatement! :-)
Definately, more info please asa available!! 8-)

[79TA]

I still wish GM would just give the Z06 another shot with some more aggressive tires (ie make that an option on the car; no more of this runflat nonsense) . . . that alone should be enough to beat the GT-R's claimed ring time.

[5vz-fe]

^It's really a m00t point really. The Z06 owners will not love their cars any less because it's a few seconds behind at the ring. For what's worth, they should be proud given the minimal electronic help, RWD, less grippy tires, just good old push rod NA setup and leaf springs suspension, the Z still comes just few seconds behind.

[79TA]

Well, in advertising and bragging in general, "faster round the ring" sounds better than "coulda, woulda, shoulda been faster round the ring."

But yea, most current Vette folks will still love the vette regardless. It'd be nice to have the bragging rights so they could bring in more fans though.

[RC45]

But yea, most current Vette folks will still love the vette regardless. It'd be nice to have the bragging rights so they could bring in more fans though.

GM sells every one they build; and if they(non fans) need crap marketing to make them a "fan", we don't need em on our team, thanks... ;)

And I look forward to any modded V-Spec Dudzilla to try come line-up :P

[enzoferrari]

^It's really a m00t point really. The Z06 owners will not love their cars any less because it's a few seconds behind at the ring. For what's worth, they should be proud given the minimal electronic help, RWD, less grippy tires, just good old push rod NA setup and leaf springs suspension, the Z still comes just few seconds behind.
Exactly the Z06 is a car for real drivers,not a PS3.

[fordgt84]

why are they saying 1:40 instead of 7:40

haha they corrected it :laugh:

[toffytofik]

haha they corrected it :laugh:No, they simply mistook it for the time Chuck Norris has set in his Dodge Ram long time ago.

[nthfinity]

Exactly the Z06 is a car for real drivers,not a PS3.

The Ford GT has no optoins for such electronic aids, looks better, costs cough cough.... more, goes faster even under extreme tuning ( Car and Driver 0-200-0 shootout ) ... about the same NS lap time as a Z06, better/safer/stronger chassis, better aerodynamics.

thats my choice :D

but thats not what this topic is about... is it? whoops

yea ZR1 !!!11!11!1!!

[kowalski2105]

Corvette Z06 is NO1 car in the world price/hp ratio, no matter what the gt-r does. It has the charisma of a real race car and the technology and brute force. Best of both worlds, and every good car journalist all over the world has to admit that the Vette is a true supercar. Top gear, fifth gear, dsf motorvision GER, EVO magazine (European) all were delighted by the Z06. Who cares about consumption and interior decorations???? I just look at the Hp/Nm figures, and performance, sound and the feeling of raw NA power! For me the Z06 is one of the best cars of all time! 10y GM I dont care about the ring, 300+ on the autobahn, drag from one traffic light to another, display of power on the streets, burning tires on launch... Dont think that GT-R can give you all that. Z06 = BestBuy

[torrentjunkie]

can't wait for the OFFICIAL time, to see if it outdoes the GTR that is:-P