gobs3z
06-27-2008, 02:21 PM
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#more-6353
Since the Nissan GT-R scorched the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes 29 seconds (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/official-nissan-gt-r-laps-nurburgring-in-7m-29s/) and change earlier this year, speculation about the 650hp (485kW) Corvette ZR-1’s potential times has run rampant. The speculation can end, with the mighty American powerhouse lapping the Nordschleife (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#) in 7 minutes, 26.4 seconds, according to GM.
Reported by Corvette’s chief engineer Tadge Juechter on the GM Next blog, the time lowers the bar for affordable performance, taking more than a full second off the Pagani Zonda F’s time (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/pagani-zonda-f-sets-new-ring-record/), making the ‘Vette also quicker around the Green Hell than the Porsche Carrera GT (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#) supercar as well.
The car was completely stock except for the addition of communications and safety equipment, according to Juechter. Shod in production-spec Michelin Pilot (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#)Sport 2s, the car was also set to the same ride height and alignment figures as stock, making it exactly like the production cars that will begin production in the next few months at the plant in Kentucky.
Juechter even claims there’s more performance left in the ZR-1, but that the car was not setup for ultimate lap time at the ‘Ring, rather finding a very fast but comfortable compromise position. If the car had been built exclusively for the track, like many supercars, the ride quality would have suffered too much for daily liveability.
A video of the run is forthcoming, and we’ll bring it to you as soon as it’s available.
Since the Nissan GT-R scorched the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes 29 seconds (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/official-nissan-gt-r-laps-nurburgring-in-7m-29s/) and change earlier this year, speculation about the 650hp (485kW) Corvette ZR-1’s potential times has run rampant. The speculation can end, with the mighty American powerhouse lapping the Nordschleife (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#) in 7 minutes, 26.4 seconds, according to GM.
Reported by Corvette’s chief engineer Tadge Juechter on the GM Next blog, the time lowers the bar for affordable performance, taking more than a full second off the Pagani Zonda F’s time (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/pagani-zonda-f-sets-new-ring-record/), making the ‘Vette also quicker around the Green Hell than the Porsche Carrera GT (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#) supercar as well.
The car was completely stock except for the addition of communications and safety equipment, according to Juechter. Shod in production-spec Michelin Pilot (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#)Sport 2s, the car was also set to the same ride height and alignment figures as stock, making it exactly like the production cars that will begin production in the next few months at the plant in Kentucky.
Juechter even claims there’s more performance left in the ZR-1, but that the car was not setup for ultimate lap time at the ‘Ring, rather finding a very fast but comfortable compromise position. If the car had been built exclusively for the track, like many supercars, the ride quality would have suffered too much for daily liveability.
A video of the run is forthcoming, and we’ll bring it to you as soon as it’s available.