Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's Official 'Ring Time is 7:26.4

[HeilSvenska]

http://blog.gmnext.com/?p=194

By: Tadge J. Juechter Corvette Chief Engineer I know many people have been very interested in how fast the ZR1 would be at the Ring… Most car enthusiasts are quite familiar with the Nürburgring. Built in the 1920’s near Cologne, Germany, “the Ring” is considered to be the toughest and most challenging race track in the world. 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. 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 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. The lap was electronically timed and confirmed with two hand-held stopwatches. An in-car video will be posted when the engineering team returns from Germany. Look for it the week of July 7!

[fordgt84]

nice

[RC45]

Note how they got the "what tyres and alignment?" quesitons out of the way.

Nissan can learn a thing or 2 about PR from the GM

Even thought the ZR1 is not in the Viper ACR's "track day" class, it better watch out... imagine the carnage if the ZR1 arrives on 80 wear rated Sprt Cups, instead of the mundae 220 rated PS2's?

I hope to snap up one of the used ZR1's that will be appearing after the "gotta havve it now" folks get bored with their cars and start dumping em.

Thanksfully it is just a Chevy and will plumet in value over the enxt 5 years hehehe

[enzoferrari]

I was waiting for that! 1:26

[5vz-fe]

It's about time for GM to get back some money from development and sell ZR1 parts for Z06.....

[SHIZL]

got to love those vettes should silence some other car fans if true.

[philip]

From what is said GM is apparently trying to be very honest about how the time was made. They should be applauded for doing that.

I was hoping for a lower time, but that probably will come in the near future as the car becomes available to mear mortals.

[torrentjunkie]

not believing until i see video footage, superimposed with te GTR's

[04RCSTI]

haha. Nice time

[RC45]

Originally Posted by torrentjunkie not believing until i see video footage, superimposed with te GTR's

You just dont believe it because you know Nissan couldnt come out and say "street tyres, pump gas and stock settings" - becaus eif they did, they would be lieing

[5vz-fe]

I say just to prove the point, GM should put some kinda DSG transmission into the ZR-1 as option and shave another few seconds off that time using pump fuel

[RC45]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe I say just to prove the point, GM should put some kinda DSG transmission into the ZR-1 as option and shave another few seconds off that time using pump fuel

I was reading that if you turn off VDC in the GT-R you void the warranty - so literally they will not allow you to drive your own car..

That must be because when the aids are off, the car can't stop, turn of go.. hehehe LOL

[Spiffu]

Not bad for a $400,000 car.

Yes, that is how high it's going with mark up at dealerships right now.

What a bargain.

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by Spiffu Not bad for a $400,000 car. Yes, that is how high it's going with mark up at dealerships right now. What a bargain.

I'll believe it when I see it.

GM officially thought markup would be about 105% maxed out, then they announced they are going to build 4,000 of them..... markup wont last long at all.

[RC45]

^^^ I can already see my ZR1 sitting next to my Z07.... (jusy peaked into the future 4 years.. ) hehe