Corvette Zr1 Runs 7.26.4

[Snowman]

These ring times are almost getting stupid. But here's the info on the new player.

"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 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 that the ZR1 that lapped the 'Ring was instock trim, with the exception of safety and communications equipment. As such, the ZR1 was wearing the same Michelin Pilot Sport 2s 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."

Guess now we'll have to see what the V Spec does. Oh - and the new NSX, the L-Fa, the new turbo Porsche, - hell I hear the new Kenworth is looking to go sub 7mins too.

[Roy]

The Vette gets em wet! That is all that needs to be said

Oh, and i cant wait to see the video to see how much driving is involved in getting the time. Surely with a traditional gaerbox and rwd without all the balance/driving aids then it will make for an interesting comparison.

Now this i am pumped about, a great lookign, performing, reasonably priced 3 pedal car I wonder it is still using PBR / Australian designed and built brake calipers, kist with carbon rotors?

[lingeringsoul]

omg, its seriously World War 3 between the super car manufacturers now. I have no doubt the GTR v spec or its later incarnation will beat this, this only makes Hond'a dnd Toyota's job even harder. Congrats to the American for finally making a car that can turn and turn well.

[Snowman]

Now this i am pumped about, ..........., reasonably priced 3 pedal car

Lets see you get one here for under $250K....

But don't get me wrong - I love this car!!

[Roy]

Lets see you get one here for under $250K....

But don't get me wrong - I love this car!!

Just hope they go on sale in rhd in UK ...hehehe, i just got a firm job offer from the UK So Vettes or TVR Sagaris i dont care either way. But converting one would be pricey, so here is to hoping they are made in RHD

And let me guess, you can thelp but love this car because its the same colour as your ride

[Aaron34]

I'd love to get my 34 to the ring for a shot. With a couple of whiskeys for courage it'd have to blow the new 35 in it's stock form. Maybe I could twist Theos arm to drive it. I'd have to "three ring of death" at least 10 Xbox360s to get to his level...

Heard one of the new one's pulled 350 at all four with nothing more than an ECU..... Someone needs to buy my car so I can get one....Snowman, you need an upgrade...

[Ant97GTR]

Just hope they go on sale in rhd in UK ...hehehe, i just got a firm job offer from the UK So Vettes or TVR Sagaris i dont care either way. But converting one would be pricey, so here is to hoping they are made in RHD

And let me guess, you can thelp but love this car because its the same colour as your ride

Sorry to rain on your parade Roy....but GM management confirmed this car will not be built in RHD...LHD only. Dealers in the UK and elsewhere in Europe tried their best to convert the Yanks otherwise but they wouldn't come to the party.

[Gazzilla]

Wow, wasnt expecting that.. ill give credit where credit is due tho. the yanks are gonna go crazy on the corvette forums, hopefully the V.spec shuts them all down tho.

[2KR34]

Having had owned a couple of Corvettes I always have a soft spot for them but converting a new or post 96 in now only possible through a RAW and the cost for a sixth gen Vette is around 40K!!!!!!!

I converted my 85 Vette myself for about 4 grand (and a stack of hours) when the workshops were charging 15 so when they brought the RAW's in I opted out of the Vette scene as I have better things to do with 40 grand.

I know there's a lot more work on the later cars but It would just make me cry to pay 40k to take a perfectly good car then have it pulled apart and butchered and in the end only to have it exactly the same way it was but with the controls on the opposite side.

Would much rather spend 40k on mods to a RHD car (if I had 40k that is)!!!

Now, wonder what improvements could be done to a new GTR for 40 grand!!!

[Duncan1]

Didnt GM file for bankruptcy protection some time ago? At least there having one last hurrah!!! brilliant car given how ordinary american cars are [technically speaking]. It is a real possibility that GM could completely go out of business due to the sub-prime fallout and huge decline in sales volume. i understand they were trying [unsuccessfully] to refinance debt and were knocked back by all in sundry! if they go, this car might be really worth having as it would mark the end of a massive era in the automotive industry. lets hope its not the case for everyone who works for them.

[benm]

GM will never go out of business and close shop and this car will never fix their financial issues.

The easiest way for GM to revive themselves as the leader in car producing is to flood the market with electric cars.

[eMsta]

nice one!

always liked the vette - was my second dream supercar after the viper....

[GTR-32U]

Correct me if I am wrong but isnt their one of these for sale at the European Car specialist on Parramatta rd ? A yellow one ...?....Great looking machine

[lingeringsoul]

I thought these only came in blue....didn't they say the ZR1 is the ultimate version of the corvette? I reackon Nismo should go with the carbon fibre roof as well.

[PranK]

I bet that vette has a 42 Litre V100 LS80 in it.

It looks awesome, but in typical American fashion, they just put stupid sized engines in to make them quicker. Brute force.

[sherman89]

I bet that vette has a 42 Litre V100 LS80 in it.

It looks awesome, but in typical American fashion, they just put stupid sized engines in to make them quicker. Brute force.

And look what doing the above has acheived.

[Bumblebee]

it'd be nice if ford pulled its finger outta its ass and built a mustang to destroy the vette...

[R338OY]

Impressive time. The rear has a nice shape too. The front looks a little odd though, like a premature born baby's head.

Also too many body features for my taste- so many flares, bumps and ridges. Looks like it needs water to breathe. It's like a beautiful shape hasn't been fine tuned with this car, so much as all those little features have been sculpted into the exterior to give it presence, like an xmas tree covered in lights.

Still, great car and great performance (and it's good ol' manual & RWD for the traditionalists!)

Edited June 29, 2008 by R338OY

[lingeringsoul]

And look what doing the above has acheived.

Id love to see a comaprison of their respective cornering and straight line speeds.

[Duncan1]

GM will never go out of business and close shop and this car will never fix their financial issues.

The easiest way for GM to revive themselves as the leader in car producing is to flood the market with electric cars.

Didnt suggest this car would fix their problems- nothing much will! my suggestion is that it [corvette]might be worth something if they cease production! I bet the workers of GM dont share your confidence. GM dont have the money to invest in R and D, and as such they skimp on new models. its been a slippery slide for many years and it's because they kept on producing ordinary, inefficiant, mediocre quality cars. Compare them to Toyota and with there miniscul funds they are always going to be 1 then 2 then 3 steps behind the benchmark!

Edited June 29, 2008 by Duncan1