The C7 ZO6 has an unofficial 7:13 Nurburgring time and the ZR1 will certainly go under the seven-minute mark but by how much?
Prospective Corvette owners don’t care all that much about Nurburgring times and ultimately taking the RWD Nurburgring record is more a matter of pride for car manufacturers. But that doesn’t mean Chevrolet won’t take a crack at it. According to Road and Track in an informal interview with the Corvette’s chief engineer they posted about earlier today (Nov. 16, 2017) once the Corvette ZR1 goes on sale earlier next year, then the ZR1 will attempt a hot lap for an official Nurburgring time, one under seven minutes. Enjoy a couple of images of the newly unveiled ZR1 track monster below!
The king of Corvettes: the 2019@CorvetteRacing ZR1 officially revealed. @chevrolet @DigitalTrends pic.twitter.com/vzdqVy18VZ
— Alex K. (@AlexKalogiannis) November 12, 2017
As restrictions on the Nurburgring have become notoriously tighter due to an influx of accidents both from drivers and spectators, a flying lap on what’s technically a public road has become harder and harder to procure. Luckily, GM was granted one flying lap back in June where their 2016 Camaro ZL1 1LE posted an amazing 7:16.04.
Currently, the ‘Ring king is the 2018 Porsche GT2 RS which posted a blazing fast 6:47.30 achieved just a couple of weeks ago in September. Before that, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante held the record, being five seconds slower. By all accounts, the Porsche properly trashed the Lambo. But with the Porsche costing a whopping $294,250, the Corvette ZR1 isn’t even on the same playing field as the ZR1. According to GM, the ZR1 will definitely not double the price of a base model Stingray, which comes in at $55,450.
But let’s look at the simple tale of the tape.
- Porsche GT2 RS 700 HP and 553 lb-ft weighing 3,020 pounds
- ZR1 Corvette 755 HP and 715 lb-ft will weigh somewhere in the 3,200 pounds range.
While on price they may not be matched, the simple power to weight ratios for under the hood performance say otherwise.
According to Cheif Engineer Tadge Juechter, the record run “is not a priority.”
This sounds a lot like downplaying to me and a move to save face if they try really hard for the ‘Ring record but don’t get it. When Corvette went out to set a ‘Ring time back in 2009 with their ZR1, they had ace Corvette test driver Jim Mero behind the wheel. They were serious. I don’t see why they can’t be as serious again.
They will be gunning for that record even if they don’t explicitly say it.
