Gauntlet thrown: Corvette ZR1 laps the 'Ring in 7:26.4
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Gauntlet thrown: Corvette ZR1 laps the 'Ring in 7:26.4
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/g...ing-in-7-26-4/
Originally Posted by Autoblog
Tadge J. Juechter, Corvette's chief engineer, announced this morning that Jim Mero, GM's development engineer, drove the ZR1 around the Nurburgring in 7:26.4. According to the GMNext blog, the run took place earlier this morning and that conditions were good on the track, with the exception of a strong headwind down the main straight. Mero also mentioned that he felt there were a few places where he could have gone faster, although no details were provided about why and where.
Juechter makes it clear in his post that the ZR1 that lapped the 'Ring in bone-stock trim, with the exception of safety and communications equipment. As such, the ZR1 was wearing the same Michelin Pilot Sport 2s that will be found on the production model, the chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs and the unmodified engine was running on pump gas.
The lap began with a rolling start – which falls in line with current industry practices – and the time was confirmed both through an electronic timing system and two hand-held stopwatches. The ZR1 team will be posting a video of their run when they return from Germany and we'll be keeping our eye out for it when it's online the week of July 7th.
Juechter makes it clear in his post that the ZR1 that lapped the 'Ring in bone-stock trim, with the exception of safety and communications equipment. As such, the ZR1 was wearing the same Michelin Pilot Sport 2s that will be found on the production model, the chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs and the unmodified engine was running on pump gas.
The lap began with a rolling start – which falls in line with current industry practices – and the time was confirmed both through an electronic timing system and two hand-held stopwatches. The ZR1 team will be posting a video of their run when they return from Germany and we'll be keeping our eye out for it when it's online the week of July 7th.
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Keep in mind, the ZR1 is supposed to be a great cruiser with a cushy ride - that makes this time even more impressive. Here is what the ZR1’s chief engineer said:
I've read a couple reviews that mentioned the GTR's stiff ride - if the V-Spec is more track-focused, the ride will likely be even worse (i.e – more of a track car). Thus, if the ZR1 can be a nice cruiser/daily driver whiile still putting up numbers similar to the V-spec - I think that's pretty awesome.
Also, the ZR1 pulled off this time with tires that have a 220 treadwear rating - the GTR uses 140 treadwear tires...V-Spec will probably use even stickier tires. Because of this, even though the GTR is AWD, the RWD ZR1 would offer better traction in rain/snow.
This drool-worthy list of hardcore parts would indicate the ZR1 is built to be the ultimate track-day weapon—surpassing the edgy performance of the Z06. But the ZR1 was conceived to deliver a more relaxed and refined driving experience. The idea was to create a supercar with no compromises for daily driveability, Juechter says, so the ride rates of the ZR1 are closer to a base Corvette than a Z06. And because of this, all ZR1 Corvettes come standard with Magnetic Ride Control dampers.
Also, the ZR1 pulled off this time with tires that have a 220 treadwear rating - the GTR uses 140 treadwear tires...V-Spec will probably use even stickier tires. Because of this, even though the GTR is AWD, the RWD ZR1 would offer better traction in rain/snow.
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131 MPH trap speed + 7:26 at the 'Ring on 200 treadwear tires (and could go faster) + 20 MPG + magnetic ride control + $100k price tag + serviceable at the local Chevy dealer = the win.
Not too long ago, you had to pay $500k+ to get that kind of performance - Zonda F or Carrera GT.
I wonder how much work it'll take to get these things trapping 140+ MPH?? Bolt ons??
Not too long ago, you had to pay $500k+ to get that kind of performance - Zonda F or Carrera GT.
I wonder how much work it'll take to get these things trapping 140+ MPH?? Bolt ons??
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My guess is that they are sandbagging! The engineer that drove it said he could've went faster. I wonder what someone like Jan Magnussen would run in it? Maybe Chevy will take a page out Nissan's play book and release the final time as being 7-8 seconds faster (7:20?).
I've been really impressed with GM lately. Is america finally coming out of it's automotive slump? I mean, when was the last time America had a car that could compete on the world stage like this? Besides the Ford GT it was probably sometime in the late 60's.
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Umm, the Z06 like 3 years ago. lol.