	idriveslowandfast
	View My AgentPage

Uh oh!! The ZR-1 did what!!

idriveslowandfast submitted on 06/27/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 9:20 PM
from: blog.gmnext.com

[45] user comments | category: Spy Shots

Print this Page |

Digg It |

del.icio.us

Uh oh!! The ZR-1 did what!!

Ripping the ‘Ring: Stock ZR1 Laps Nürburgring in 7:26.4

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!

7:26.4 - 168.07 km/h -- Corvette ZR1, 620 PS/1519 kg *General Motors development engineer Jim Mero
7:27.82 167.20 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, 641 PS/1230 kg, Marc Basseng
7:28 -- 166.65 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, * company test driver Walther Roehrl
7:29 -- 164.68 km/h -- 2009 Nissan GT-R, ??? PS/??? kg, *company test driver Tochio Suzuki according to mfr.
7:31 --- 164.38 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl
7:32 -- 164.07 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F, 650 PS/1230 kg
7:32 -- 164.07 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/ 1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl
7:32.18 164.07 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/ 1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl
7:32.44 163.91 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, definitive time Horst von Saurma Read Article

Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]

rallyss - 6/27/2008 10:39:08 PM

+7 Boost

i cant wait for this car i saw one driving by the GM tech center i about shit my self.

reply to this comment

MercedesBenz00Z - 6/27/2008 10:48:56 PM

Show Comment -45 Boost

sector - 6/28/2008 12:07:00 PM

0 Boost

nah, let the BenzOOOOZ vent his anger... German fanboys always act this way when they realize the overpriced POS they drive is more inferior than ever :)

MercedesBenz00Z - 6/28/2008 4:00:16 PM

Show Comment -25 Boost

NARunner - 6/28/2008 5:07:42 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

That's probably the 3rd or 4th time I've read your post and it has been related to how poor everyone is compared to you. If I may ask, Mr. Trump, what do you do for a living?

Need4Speed - 6/30/2008 8:52:41 AM

+1 Boost

Deboosted 31 times!! Is that a record?

GTR35 - 6/30/2008 12:12:46 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Sweet I just made it -32, felt great!

So Germany keeps loosing, this time to the Americans and if that's not enough they also lost to Spain and they lost good.

85bmw745i - 6/30/2008 6:40:26 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Dang benz you are in teh runnings with michael taylor/david989/houstoncutie for the most deboost on autospies

Carboy - 6/27/2008 10:58:13 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

I hope it's true because I think I may have underestimated it.

reply to this comment

idriveslowandfast - 6/27/2008 11:55:31 PM

+6 Boost

Its 100% true, unlike the unofficial test mule times we have been seeing from other makes.

A in car video will be released soon.

lenkun - 6/27/2008 11:28:55 PM

Show Comment -15 Boost

idriveslowandfast - 6/27/2008 11:49:34 PM

+7 Boost

Actually if anything is unofficial it is the LF-A time. Which was done with a non-production car.

This is what it says about the LF-A time:

"Unofficial time measured by bystanders at the track"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

idriveslowandfast - 6/27/2008 11:51:30 PM

+5 Boost

Also the recent NSX time was done with a "test mule", not a production car.

And is was 11 seconds slower.

7:37* -- 162.28 km/h -- Honda NSX test mule, 550 PS * www.autoblog.com/2008/06/19/nsx-laps-ring-unofficially-at-7-37/

idriveslowandfast - 6/27/2008 11:54:29 PM

+4 Boost

You will enjoy the in car video, see what actually a production car can do.

"An in-car video will be posted when the engineering team returns from Germany. Look for it the week of July 7!"

idriveslowandfast - 6/27/2008 11:56:29 PM

+7 Boost

This isn't a prototype.

CAN YOU READ????

100% bone stock.

truckmen - 6/27/2008 11:45:52 PM

+8 Boost

Impressive! Numbers speak louder than bias.

reply to this comment

idriveslowandfast - 6/27/2008 11:53:29 PM

+6 Boost

The car was 100% bone stock.

Time was electronically timed and confirmed with two hand-held stopwatches.

reply to this comment

pcar4evr - 6/28/2008 9:46:30 AM

-4 Boost

GM should follow the "Black Hole" business model - contract until all that's left is a dense mass of great products and then explode with new products and new energy.

Won't happen

reply to this comment

85bmw745i - 6/30/2008 1:35:22 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Thats because GM takes the same car and makes multiple versions of it for buick pontian,cadillac, etc. of course they have more models with 30mpg, how many brands do they have? the cobalc is shared with pontiac, the aveo is a daewoo that will soon be shared with pontiac. the astra is from europe. most of their fuel efficient vehicles are derived from countries other than America except the cobalt/g5.

reply to this comment

85bmw745i - 6/30/2008 1:39:17 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

who puts 100k miles in 5 years? it's a gimmick, why don't they do it for 10 years like hyundai. ok GM has more models with 30mpg because of how many brands and how many times they bagde engineer their cars. how many models does chevrolet have that gets over 30mpg? I can only think of 2, the cobalt and aveo. I'm sure there are be more but I can't think of them. It's not like GM is a mecca of engineering. To me they are a plain car company, nothing special except the vette, which has the performance but is cheaply made, and the G8 which I actually like. Cadillac is also doing well with the cts.

reply to this comment

idriveslowandfast - 6/28/2008 2:21:23 AM

+4 Boost

Do all the little kiddies on here always deboost true statements?

I guess they can't handle the truth.

Oh well, their loss. :)

reply to this comment

Speedoholic - 6/28/2008 3:33:41 AMView My AgentSpace

-9 Boost

7:24 -- Lexus LF-A -- ~552 PS/~1360 kg

reply to this comment

91z4me - 6/28/2008 11:34:22 AM

+7 Boost

Preproduction car measured by a bystander w/ a stopwatch vs production car measured by 2 different electronic systems.

Hmm...which one should I believe?

ThierryHenry14 - 6/28/2008 9:48:16 AM

+2 Boost

Thats quite impressive. I absolutely have no interest in the Corvette, or most anything GM produces, but that is a heck of an impressive time...

reply to this comment

jackson63 - 6/29/2008 12:30:37 PM

+1 Boost

must have been ate up by to many gm cars

golfer38 - 6/28/2008 10:09:12 AMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Fantastic! Could you imagine what this car would do if it was specifically tuned for the "ring"?

reply to this comment

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/28/2008 1:30:06 PM

+6 Boost

The Corvette has for years has been a very underrated car and an terrific value. Good job GM.

reply to this comment

BJS470 - 6/28/2008 4:40:49 PM

+5 Boost

wow thats nuts...the vette has finally stepped up

reply to this comment

iamdabest1 - 6/28/2008 9:53:30 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

PROUD 2 BE AN AMERICAN!!

reply to this comment

holmstar - 6/29/2008 11:42:41 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I figured... I wonder how many of the other fanboys on here are employed by their brand.

farabira1 - 6/28/2008 11:45:37 PM

+2 Boost

Finally after many years a midengined supercar is coming from America that can trash Ferraris in the circuit and will still save you hundreds of thousands. Mid engined, Rear wheel drive, and a grunting pure American muscle V8 that churns out over 600 HP, what a beast. Hooray to the American dream, once more.

reply to this comment

91z4me - 6/29/2008 10:32:45 AM

+5 Boost

The ZR1 is front engined, just like the base Corvette and Z06.

S30GTR - 6/29/2008 2:27:48 AM

-10 Boost

looks like at 200k anything is possible today. try to beat this time under 100k. now that would be impressive.

reply to this comment

idriveslowandfast - 6/29/2008 2:44:10 AM

+5 Boost

Can you people read up on your facts, before you open your mouth.

Corvette ZR1 will be $103,300, including the $850 destination charge.

85bmw745i - 6/30/2008 1:43:00 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

even at that price the vette is one hell of a bargain. If all you care about is speed, and don't care about refinement, interior materials, fit and finish, squeaks and rattles etc, this is the car for you. I can't say anything but good job, although it's not something i would consider. It is built alot better than the viper though, especially the interior.

Threepoint1415926 - 6/30/2008 2:27:58 PM

0 Boost

When these manufactures keep putting out numbers like this, it really makes me wonder what cars like the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport would be truly capable of if their testers dedicated as much ring time. It makes these ring times a bit irrelevant when a car like the ZR-1 or GT-R spends hours on end, every day for over a year year on the track while cars like the Zonda come, set their time in two days and leave.

Still, I have nothing but respect for these bargain supercars. Great job GM!

reply to this comment

smokinggun - 6/30/2008 3:30:33 PM

-1 Boost

HA HA HA , GM rulz every class. The GT-R is a joke and looks like one too.

reply to this comment

infunf - 6/30/2008 7:50:07 PM

0 Boost

hmm, with that weight and horse power you'd figure it be faster.

reply to this comment

JTRacer - 7/3/2008 3:50:35 PM

+1 Boost

Ya.. it's missing all those cheating electronics...

Eyecarehawaii - 7/8/2008 4:13:40 AM

+1 Boost

"The timed lap was run with a rolling start, a departure from our previous practice of standing starts."
Unfortunately the times shown don't reflect whether the other cars were also timed using a rolling or standing start.

Nordschleife lap times
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

reply to this comment

To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories

By Being Evolutionary With The New RX Is Lexus Vulnerable To A REVOLUTION?Man BURIES His BMW 7-Series 12 Feet Underground!2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid pricing released LA AUTO SHOW: Ferrari California unveiled in LA LA AUTO SHOW: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series LA AUTO SHOW: Lotus Evora comes to the stateside LA AUTO SHOW: Dodge EV hangs out on a stand in LA The 7 Has A Bangle Butt And The New Porsche Panamera Has A _______ Butt?New BMW Z4 launching in December, a future Z2 also BREAKING PORSCHE NEWS: The Panamera Breaks Cover, Not At the LA Auto Show - But Here At AutoSpies.com Renault-Nissan Alliance unveils brand-new V6 dCi Diesel engine Vw Scirocco is the official 2009 TUNE IT! SAFE! campaign vehicle 2010 Lincoln MKZ revealed in LA LA Auto Show: Hyundai HED-5 i-Mode Concept Last Lamborghini Reventon reaches its buyer Vw Rabbit and GTI making U.S. debut in Sempember 2009 2009 Mercedes-Benz GLK U.S. pricing announced A Day At The Los Angeles Auto Show - Agent 00J Asks the Questions He Thinks You Want Answered In His Search For the Truth!Honda And Acura Top Redisdual Value Rankings The Most BRILLIANT Idea Yet On The Bailout! Should The Oil Companies Foot The Loans To Help The Auto Industry?Diamond-crusted Lamborghini key fob by Amosu Luxury 2008 LA Auto Show: Honda Insight Concept introduces Ecological Drive Assist System Has BMW Found The Diesel Solution With The 335d?Are We Being Fair? US Automaker Bailout Raises WTO Legality Concerns WEB RAGE FRIDAY RETURNS! Be Loud And Proud And Vent Your Gripes Now!House Speaker Takes The Bankruptcy Option Off The Table For The Detroit 3 GM Returns 2 or 7 Corporate Jets After Whipping Shed Moment In Washington Car Driver Names Its Top 10 But Is Your Favorite On The List?Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Wins 2009 Green Car of the Year Law Makers Approve Short Term Bailout With Conditions Jaguar XF Cabrio to debut at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show in January LA 2008 Live: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is here even though its delayed LA AUTO SHOW: More Goodies For The Eyes From The Show Floor In The City Of Angels Official: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel unveiled and priced at €47,250 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Trophy Truck unveiled in LA Last Ditch Deal With Automakers May Get Approval- But Can They Be Trusted?GMAC Files For Banking Status In Effort To Access $700 Billion Bailout Package Vw Touareg V6 TDI priced at $42,800 Saab 9-6x patent photos LA AUTO SHOW: The All New RX, The Bread And Butter Crossover/SUV Makes Its Grand Entrance Audi Sees Dual Clutch Transmissions Making Into 90% Of Lineup In Near Future Mitt Romney Makes An Open Call To Let Detroit Go Bankrupt LA AUTO SHOW: Infiniti's G37 Convertible Officially Hits The Road Congress Takes The Detroit 3 To The Whipping Shed And They STILL Have No Clue Why!Jaguar XF coupe and convertible receive the greenlight LA AUTO SHOW: 2009 Bentley Azure Tunveiled LA AUTO SHOW: 2009 BMW 750 Li gets iDrive powered owner’s manual LA AUTO SHOW: 2009 Nissan 370Z pricing announced 2010 Nissan GT-R No Longer with Launch Control LA AUTO SHOW: First Day Recap Highlights From The Show Floor-Some Sweet Stuff!

More Recently Added News

Join AutoSpies

Photo Galleries

AutoSpies presents the best Auto Show Photos, Automotive Videos, Car Reviews and Hot Rides.

Latest Galleries

Cars

Auto Shows

More Galleries