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Corvette ZR1seen Lapping the Nurburgring Low 7:40's in Damp Conditions

aston_martin submitted on 04/10/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:37 PM
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Corvette ZR1seen Lapping the Nurburgring Low 7:40's in Damp Conditions

After months of seeing the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 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 7:40s, 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, 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 has already run a lap of 7:38. 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 7:38 can it go? We'll keep you posted. Read Article

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theoptimisticpessimist - 4/10/2008 2:30:11 PM

+8 Boost

Holy Crap!

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Reason - 4/10/2008 2:55:38 PM

+7 Boost

A well endowed American car sticks it to the Ring........nice.

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gooch - 4/10/2008 3:08:03 PM

+6 Boost

I'm predicting 7:25. The ZR-1 is going to be incredible.

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bigmotov - 4/10/2008 3:17:53 PM

0 Boost

Too bad they are gunning for the GT-R because Godzilla has already moved on.

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EL34 - 4/10/2008 7:25:30 PM

+2 Boost

Godzilla will be killed ;-/

_43LE - 4/10/2008 10:18:14 PM

+2 Boost

Yes EL34, by godzilla on steriods aka the upcoming GT-R V-spec.

KillBot - 4/10/2008 3:18:01 PM

+4 Boost

Thank you GOD!!!! and GM, for giving us(Americans) something to be proud of. This and the CTS-V are going to be great, and cheaper than the alternatives.

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Need4Speed - 4/10/2008 7:20:52 PM

0 Boost

Yeah...and it did it with 4 wheels instead of two...Dual Sequential Gearing instead of a 6-speed MANual...and let's not forget it also had "HAL" looking over the drivers shoulder in the form of ATTESA ET-S...oh let's also not forget to mention recent DYNO test indicate that NISSAN more than likely underrated the bhp figures of the GT-R.

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Need4Speed - 4/11/2008 11:38:16 AM

+4 Boost

LMFAO!!! Deboost me all you want!!!...but point out one thing that I've said that isn't true!

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infunf - 4/11/2008 3:42:20 PM

+3 Boost

ya, but the gt-r doesn't have 335's.

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Heyhuub - 4/10/2008 5:06:21 PM

+5 Boost

Whats the like the CSl supposed to mean, do you think becasue there once was a picture of a crashed CSL on the ring that it's the only car that's ever crashed there?

Have you ever been on the ring?

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Need4Speed - 4/10/2008 7:23:23 PM

+2 Boost

"Zr1's only advantage will be the extra HP to make up some time in the last straight section of the track, but that's about it."

According to many GT-R fanboys...having an advantage is the key...so why shouldn't the Corvette have one!

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Need4Speed - 4/10/2008 11:19:06 PM

+2 Boost

That's funny because alot of people think Nissan has the same secret...hmmmm!

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gooch - 4/11/2008 6:50:46 AM

+4 Boost

That secret would be horsepower, the ability to get it to the pavement, suspension tuning and gearing. I'm sticking with 7:25, maybe better.

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BigShow50 - 4/10/2008 3:52:35 PM

-5 Boost

if and when Lexus brings the LF-A into production. I thought their prototype has already hit 7:24 at the Nurburgring? And they are still working on making it more aerdynamic and more powerful. As for the Corvette making low 7:40s' with a V8...after seeing the GT-R make it's run in the 7:30s' with a V6...so what's the big hype about the Vette? Considering how long the Vette has been in production, what took your asses' so long? GM still has alot of work to do...

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ZBL1414 - 4/10/2008 7:43:35 PM

+1 Boost

What took GM so long??... you mean opposed to the blistering pace that Lexus has used to get the LF-A production ready?

I think we need to collectively agree to eliminate the LF-A from all performance-based discussions until someone actuallly finds one on a dealer lot with an MSRP on it.

exgmer - 4/11/2008 5:00:00 PM

+3 Boost

Hmm, and didn't we see the first GTR concept in what? 2001? What year is it now again?

STJ88 - 4/10/2008 3:55:07 PM

-3 Boost

Nothing special the V-spec is all ready hit the 7:25 and the LF-A to.

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bigmotov - 4/10/2008 4:07:00 PM

-4 Boost

Exactly, that's what I meant by Godzilla has already moved on. I wish GM could do more than just CONSTANTLY add more HP to everything and expect that to solve all the problems. For once, I'd love to hear a Vette praised for its handling and engineering.

Hantra - 4/10/2008 4:46:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

<For once, I'd love to hear a Vette praised for its handling and engineering.>

Try reading some reviews of the Z06. Dumbass.

gooch - 4/11/2008 6:54:51 AM

+2 Boost

Bogmotov, haven't you been reading? Look, I admire Nissan for what they've been able to do with the GT-R, but really, any car company with a racing and performance heritage could take an all-wheel drive chassis, add a supercomputer's worth of electronic nannies, humongous power, fat tires and a no-brainer tranny and lap the Ring between seven and eight minutes. Nissan's achievement is great; the ZR-1 will do it without all the techno superfluous-ity.

91z4me - 4/10/2008 4:18:52 PM

+9 Boost

Some of these comments are hilarious. The Spec-V GT-R will certainly be faster than the stock GT-R which I don't think Nissan has published an official 'Ring' time for. Sure people timed around 7:38 but we can't be 100% sure that was bone stock production spec. And to make comparisons to this car isn't really fair afterall we don't know anything about the ZR1 seen on the track. It could be a test model working on braking more so than acceleration. The test car could have been trying different rubber on than the production car. Basically this one car is better than another because it ran faster in a certain condition on the same track stuff is crap. What do we really know? The ZR1 will be packing 620+ hp, it will be RWD (which has more of a penalty in the wet than the AWD GT-R), and it weighs significantly less than the GT-R (non V spec since we know nothing about the Spec V).

I would imagine that the 120 hp the ZR1 is carrying over the standard Z06 is worth more than 3 seconds as the Z06 has run around a 7:40 (despite the ZR1 being a little heavier), not to mention the extra tire width and beefier suspension and braking hardware.

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LexSucks - 4/10/2008 5:16:25 PM

+3 Boost

LF-A?

That's car doesn't even exhist yet as far as I'm concerned.

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MDXZ06 - 4/10/2008 5:39:18 PM

+3 Boost

I just don't understand the folks bashing the Corvette's handling. Do any of you read what the majority of the automotive press says about the C6? I'll toss out my offer again - if any of you are in the Chicago area, come drive my Z06. You will be a changed man. If you have any kind of talent, nothing will keep up with you. If you have mediocre driving talent, the GTR is for you.

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Bored - 4/10/2008 6:06:56 PM

+3 Boost

@ MDXZ06,

considering how clueless and/or willfully ignorant some people are, are you sure you want to offer letting them drive your Z06!?

Need4Speed - 4/10/2008 7:24:33 PM

+3 Boost

"A well designed sports car performs well in any condition. A poorly designed sports car requires exhausting efforts to perform up to par and is intolerant of less than perfect conditions. That spells the difference between the GT-R and the Corvette"

That's because your lazy and want your car to do all the work for you!

olscuul - 4/10/2008 7:39:51 PM

+3 Boost

a neighbor of mine track drives his cars.
he recently bought an older car without all the electronic helpers because he wants to find out how good a driver he really is.
same reason some hunt with a bow.

moto - 4/11/2008 5:33:42 PM

+4 Boost

In response to Need4Speed:

Everyone wants a versatile car. Who wouldn't own a $40,000 machine that handles great in all conditions, out-accelerates the space shuttle, hauls a caravan effortlessly, leaps over mud bogs and traffic bottlenecks, and carries you to the office in perfect luxury at the expense of only 3 milliliters of zero-emission biodiesel?

In the real world, however, every engineer should be praised when they hit their targets. The Corvette team was given the task to create an improved derivative of the Corvette within many real-world production limitations. They were not allowed to substantially deviate from a front/mid engine, rwd chassis. Luckily, they already have honed an amazingly balanced machine on the track, and it shows. They have dominated the ALMS GT2 class in recent history. Trash talking the upcoming ZR-1 based on one unofficial lap time at Nurburgring, or based on the build quality of the third-generation Corvette from the late 1970's only exposes your extreme bias, it does not further the discussion.

Now, as for the GT-R: another phenomenal machine. Nissan engineers, who were given different resources and a different mission, hit the bullseye of their target. They chose a different class of car (AWD), and they started with a clean design. This gives them the prime opportunity to seize the Nurburgring crown for a while, for which every true car fan gives them enormous credit. But does that make the GT-R unbeatable? Does all development in Detroit and Stuttgart stop now that Nissan and Lexus have decided to compete on the 'ring? Is the GT-R a more versatile car, a superior car to every other Porsche and Corvette? No. It means that it's the latest sportscar to have been developed specifically to post the best time at Nurburgring. It remains to be seen in Lexus, Porsche, or any of a dozen other manufacturers take the crown next time.

Since the purpose of your post seems to be solely to argue that you THINK the GT-R is unbeatable, perhaps you should write to Nissan and ask that they prove it. By proving it, most people would accept a championship in a major race series to do it. I hope Nissan enters the ALMS series and shows what they can really do.

Now for maximum versatility in a road car, that honor remains with the Audi RS4 Avant, IMHO. The boots of the ZR-1 and the GT-R are just too small.

moto - 4/11/2008 5:35:13 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry Need4Speed, I meant to type "in reply to XeroK00L".

Carboy - 4/10/2008 6:19:45 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

That's impressive! We need them to try even harder!!!

reply to this comment

MDXZ06 - 4/10/2008 6:53:01 PM

+2 Boost

XeroKool - Re-read my post - I was talking about driver talent, not the car. The Z06 is anything but a one trick pony. The GTR is a great car as well, if you like the looks. I think it looks too techno, for lack of a better term. But if that floats your boat, go for it!

Bored - I make that offer more to weed out the posers that can only spout what the mags report. Anyone that has spent a more than a few days at the track knows what I am talking about. Thanks for backing me up though!

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pushrod27 - 4/11/2008 8:26:38 AM

+5 Boost

you are among the world's dumbest asses. Chicks love Corvettes, they always have. It's part of what kept the Corvette alive even during all of the years they were built with crappy quality and subpar performance.

It is the GT-R that has the all-male fanbase. Every chick knows what a Corvette is. They wouldn't know a GT-R if they saw one up close.

Only an idiot like you could have a Corvette and NOT get laid.

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pushrod27 - 4/11/2008 8:30:00 AM

+7 Boost

It's 2008, dumbass.

Corvettes are for people who watch LeMans racing and know that Aston-Martin, Porsche, Ferrari, Viper, and the rest of the GT-2 field can't keep up.

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vonbeeler - 4/11/2008 11:24:29 AM

+4 Boost

Carguy1
No car will make you cool. So stop wasting your money trying. For the record I could afford any sports car and have had 3 Ferrari's and every Porsche made from the 80's and 90's. My current sportscar is a base Corvette with Z-51 suspension/brake pkg. My daily is an 07 600 Mercedes. The reson I have the Vette now for 3 plus years is its an incredible complete package as just the base Vette. As far as geting attention I get more thumbs up from real people than I ever did in any Porsche. All though the Ferraris drew a little more attention. But for me I love the styling of the current Vette and the performance is on par with about anything handling, braking and acceleration. All for only $50k. The fact the I spent so little is a huge enjoyment that I didn't expect going into the purchase.

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tylert360 - 4/13/2008 3:09:10 AM

+2 Boost

oh! do you have a corvette?!

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simmonsdp - 4/13/2008 1:08:14 PM

+1 Boost

Car Guy, give the Vette credit, its come a long way baby, uneducated??? I know Air Force fighter pilots that drive Vettes and they are the cream of the crop you dumb ass!!

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TimmyG - 4/11/2008 1:03:32 AM

+4 Boost

I'm not an American car fan, and being in Australia I don't get any opportunities to try these cars, but I have respect that this sounds like a serious contender for a proper performance car from the States. Good luck 'vette!

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farabira1 - 4/11/2008 3:07:12 AM

-5 Boost

Even the standard GTR lapped the Nordscleife at around 7:38 in semi wet track. And i hear that the V spec version is lapping the nurburgring at 7:25. Really i don't see any reason why chevy fans should be jumping up and down at the news that their supposed legendary corvette laps at 7:40, which is good, but really the Godzilla eats the corvette as breakfast.

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Need4Speed - 4/11/2008 11:42:41 AM

0 Boost

See my post under Xero~ it seems to have gotten some people's panties feeling too tight...

Yeah...and it did it with 4 wheels instead of two...Dual Sequential Gearing instead of a 6-speed MANual...and let's not forget it also had "HAL" looking over the drivers shoulder in the form of ATTESA ET-S...oh let's also not forget to mention recent DYNO test indicate that NISSAN more than likely underrated the bhp figures of the GT-R.

LMFAO!!!

TimmyG - 4/12/2008 4:03:51 AM

+1 Boost

Need4Speed, fair comments about driver aids, drive train and transmission being better in the GT-R, but why does this excuse the 'vette for having a slower time? Why can't Corvette do this too?

It's like losing a 100m sprint and saying "but the winner trained, and he ate right and he had better socks on!!" Doesn't excuse losing when you're trying to make America's greatest in production vehicle..

91z4me - 4/15/2008 9:36:31 AM

+2 Boost

Timmy who said the ZR1 was being driven all out. They could have been testing the radio for all we know. Also this isn't an official time it was done by a bystander w/ a stop watch. Nobody here has ANY idea what time the car is actually capable of so lets stop saying this or that car is so much better because it ran a better time than the one mentioned.

MDXZ06 - 4/11/2008 11:21:35 AM

+4 Boost

CarGuy1 - What a totally ignorant statement. You are obviously not much of a "car guy" with a statement like that. To keep all you 20-something posters happy, here is the deal. My Z06 is a play car that I paid cash for. My past rides in the last 5 years are a MB E500(unreliable junk) Audi S4, Lexus LS430, and a 2007 MDX. All cash transactions. I don't know of many rednecks that can swing that and still be able to retire in about 5 years, well before 60.

The Z06 is not a crude, shaking mess like Boss claims. It is a price performer compared to the German and Italian counterparts. The GTR is a cool car - just appeals to different customers. Aren't we all car guys here?

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gsh23 - 4/11/2008 11:57:59 AM

+3 Boost

are you new here? this is autolies!

mechengineer - 4/11/2008 7:34:53 PM

+3 Boost

The track results are important, but everyday driving for a regular person is more important. How fast is the car from 0 to 60mph? How does it handle around corners, potholes? Does the car need to be at redline to get its power? Or does it have a fat torque curve which allows one to just press the accelerator pedal in any kind of driving and also enhance gas mileage by keeping the revs low (the key to Audi's success with the diesel R10 Lemans winner)? In everyday driving, the Vette will shine favorably.

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Garrett3076 - 4/11/2008 7:35:54 PM

-1 Boost

Good point Vendetta. I am a little surprised Vonbeeler and MDXZ06 with their "look at me" "respect me" self proclamation even bother posting here.

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vonbeeler - 4/12/2008 7:24:22 PM

+3 Boost

Your right. With clowns like you adding nothing to the topic

amazinBimmer - 4/12/2008 9:36:41 AM

+1 Boost

still a pos american car... laughable

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simmonsdp - 4/12/2008 2:03:11 PM

+1 Boost

If you want a "fair" test at the ring then you have to test them together because there are to many factors. This track changes from hour to hour and sometimes it's sunny and dry at one part of the track and rain or snow showers on other parts at the same time and these guys testing drive laps the whole day to get one or two superior times....

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amazinBimmer - 4/12/2008 7:11:27 PM

-1 Boost

carguy1. I totally agree with you. I have never seen an attractive or slim man drive a corvette. its usually some bald, short guy with boots or similar look (mustache) etc. that is totally laughable. It screams that "i couldnt aford a BMW when i was younger and i Still cant.. I can afford this 50K pos with a interior made by fisher price"!. i hate american cars.. wich chrysler and GM woudl go under. it woudl be nice to see those unionized, fat, lazy american workers in steeltown with overfunded pension and soaring healthcosts out of a job!!

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vonbeeler - 4/12/2008 11:17:43 PM

+2 Boost

amazinbimmer Whats your ride?? Sweet Z3.gayboymobile??
Your right about the image though.when I bought the new Vette all my freinds where like your buying a Vette!!!! They couldn't beleive it after all the Euro mobiles I've had. Doesn't really fit my image as you say. But that made me want it more. But more importantly I don't care about image like pikers like you. I drive what I want. The VETTE is Awesome. Bimmer weakling. even the King M5 gets smoked by the E63 which I'm sure are both dream cars for dreamer boy AmazinZ3

simmonsdp - 4/13/2008 1:02:42 PM

+2 Boost

amazinBummer, yes Bummer,I know alot of guys that drive Vettes and most of them are U.S.A.F fighter pilots, why would that be???

tylert360 - 4/13/2008 2:44:40 AM

+1 Boost

first of all, the Bugatti Veyron smokes all these cars with a top speed equal to a Boeing 747 at LIFT-off speed(253mph), for all of you that keep arguing about which is better. so ladies, try and find a street legal production car that beats that. as for the ZR1, Chevy hasn't released ALL the final stats yet, so there's no way any of you can fully campare it to other cars, remember, this was just test lapping! and to throw another car in, what about the Lamborghini Murcielago SV and its 680-hp? corvettes not that far off of that, now is it? ;b

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tylert360 - 4/13/2008 2:58:02 AM

+1 Boost

o ya, keep up with the debate guys, i find it highly entertaining.

changomo - 4/13/2008 3:23:33 AM

0 Boost

It's funny nobody mentioned price.

MSRP of GTR is 70K - Z01 is going to around 100K

They are close in time, but the monster does it with 30K more cash in your pocket.

You can see official lap times here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

reply to this comment

amazinBimmer - 4/13/2008 10:20:17 AM

-3 Boost

chango...nissan going for 20K over stiker in ny. still better than a american car made for fat guys.

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changomo - 4/14/2008 7:47:48 PM

0 Boost

of course - any high profile car gets a "markup" same markup the ZR1 will get (though not as high) - Come 2-3 years and the MSRP will stand.

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