'Ring War Continues: 2009 Corvette ZR1 posts 7:26.4

[Rob]

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

By: Tadge J. Juechter
Corvette Chief Engineer
June 27, 2008

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!

 

[twiget]

General Motors development engineer Jim Mero drove the Corvette ZR1 around the Nürburgring in a time of 7:26.4.

I so want Jim's job!

Kudos to GM for building such a kick ass car!

Jason

 

[Bioscache2]

Does anyone know what the current list is and how that stacks up to other cars like the viper, 911 turbo, GT-R, etc?

 

[Rob]

Does anyone know what the current list is and how that stacks up to other cars like the viper, 911 turbo, GT-R, etc?

Here's an older list I found:

6:53 --- Ariel Atom 500
6:55 --- Radical SR8
6:59 --- Ferrari 312T, Niki Lauda, German GP, training (1975)
7:06 --- Ferrari 312T, Clay Regazzoni, German GP, race (1975)
*1.2m longer circuit than standard Nordschleife

6:11 --- Porsche 956, Group C, Stefan Bellof, training (1983)
6:26 --- Porsche 956, Group C, Stefan Bellof, race (1983)
6:41 --- Porsche 956, Group C, Derek Bell
7:50 --- BMW X5 Le Mans V12, Hans Stuck (2001)
*0.232 km longer than current, standard Nordschleife

7:06 --- BMW M3 GTR, 24hrs, test session, JA¶rg MA1ller (2003)
7:19 --- Radical SR3 Turbo H22A (2003)
7:20* -- Opel Astra DTM V8 Coupe, set-up for 24hrs race (sport auto 2003) *estimated
7:24 --- Lexus LF-A
7:25 --- Alzen Motorsport Porsche 996, 24hrs race, Uwe Alzen
7:25 --- Nissan GT-R V-Spec
7:26.4 -- Corvette ZR1 (2009)
7:27 --- Pagani Zonda F Clubsport
7:28 --- Porsche Carrera GT, Walther RA¶hrl, Autobild July 2004
7:29.03 --Nissan GTR
7:32.5 - Gemballa Porsche GTR 600 EVO, Wolfgang Kaufmann (2001)
7:36 --- Porsche Carrera GT, factory test driver Walther RA¶hrl (2002)
7:40* -- Porsche Carrera GT, *estimated time on cold and partially wet track (2003)
7:40 --- Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR, Klaus Ludwig, Autobild July 2004
7:42 --- Ford GT
7:42 --- Radical 1500 SR3 (2002)
7:43 --- TechArt GT Street (2001)
7:43 --- Porsche 996 911 GT3 RS
7:43.5 - Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine, 2002)
7:44 --- Pagani Zonda C12 S (2003)
7:45 --- Gemballa Porsche GT-R 600 (2000)
7:46 --- Porsche 996 GT2
7:46 --- SHK Porsche 993 GT2, 652 PS (1999)
7:47 --- Porsche 996 GT3 RS, 381PS (996) (2004)
7:49 --- Porsche 996 GT3 Cup
7:50 --- BMW E46 M3 CSL (08/2003)
7:50 --- Blitz Supra, 750 PS, Herbert SchA1rg (1997)
7:50 --- Honda RC30, Helmut Daehne (1993)
7:50 --- Lamborghini Murcielago (06/2002)
7:52 --- Gemballa Porsche 911 Le Mans (1995)
7:52 --- Lamborghini Gallardo E-Gear (12/2003)
7:52 --- Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (06/2004)
7:54 --- Porsche GT3 (996) (2003)
7:55 --- Caterham R500 Superlight (2002)
7:56 --- Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale (02/2004)
7:56 --- Porsche 996 Turbo
7:56 --- Chevrolet Corvette C6 (tested by Dave Hill)
7:57 --- Lotec Porsche 993 Turbo, 600 PS, racing suspension
7:59 --- Dodge Viper SRT-10
7:59 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Performance Chassis) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:02 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Sport PASM setting) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:03 --- Porsche 996 GT3 (1999)
8:04 --- Lamborghini Diablo GT (07/2000)
8:05 --- Ferrari 575M Maranello F1 (12/2002)
8:05 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Normal PASM setting)(Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:06 --- Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG
8:06 --- Caterham 7 Superlight R, Robert Nearn
8:07 --- Ferrari 550 Maranello (06/1998)
8:09 --- Honda NSX-R 3.2 (08/2002)
8:09 --- Ferrari 360 Modena (10/1999)
8:09 --- Lamborghini Diablo SV (no ABS?)
8:10 --- Chrysler Viper GTS, 411PS, UK-Spec, no ABS (10/1997)
8:10 --- Donkervoort D8 180R
8:12 --- Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (04/2002)
8:12 --- Porsche 993 Turbo
8:13 --- Lotus Esprit Sport 350, 354 PS (05/1999)
8:15 --- Ruf 911 CTR 2, 520 PS
8:15*-- Holden GTS (2000), *estimated
8:15 --- Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (997) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:16 --- AC-Schnitzer E36 M3 CLS II, 350 PS (11/1997)
8:17 --- Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (2003)
8:17 --- Porsche 996 C2
8:18 --- BMW Z8, 400 PS (08/2000)
8:18 --- Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition, 344 PS (09/2003)
8:18 --- Ferrari F355 (06/1997)
8:20 --- Audi RS6 (2002)
8:22 --- BMW E46 M3 (12/2000)
8:22 --- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS (10/1998)
8:22 --- Mercedes-Benz C55 (07/2004)
8:23 --- Aston Martin DB7 GT (2003)
8:23 --- Porsche 996 Carrera 4
8:24 --- Subaru Impreza WRX STi (2004)
8:25 --- Audi RS4 375 HP
8:25 --- Callaway Corvette C12
8:25 --- Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evo VI (11/1999)
8:25 --- Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evo VII (11/2002)
8:26 --- Mercedes-Benz SLK 32 AMG (05/2001)
8:26 --- Nissan 350Z (2003)
8:28 --- BMW M5, 400 PS(also confirmed by Motor Commodore magazine, 2000)
8:28 --- Nissan Skyline GT-R, 277 PS
8:28 --- Porsche 993 Carrera 2
8:29 --- Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG (05/2000)
8:29 --- Audi S4 4.2 Avant (11/2003)
8:30 --- Maserati CoupA© Cambiocorsa (10/2002)
8:31 --- Ferrari F355 GTS, 380 PS
8:32 --- BMW M Roadster, 321 PS (09/1997)
8:32 --- BMW Z4 3.0 SMG (05/2003)
8:32 --- Porsche Boxster S
8:32 --- Volkswagen Golf R32
8:34 --- Acura NSX, 276 PS
8:34 --- BMW Z3 CoupA© 3.0i, 231 PS (04/2001)
8:35 --- BMW M3 Coupe, 321 PS
8:35 --- Brabus-Mercedes Benz C V8 SportcoupA© (02/2002)
8:36 --- BMW E36 M3 EVO, 321 PS
8:36 --- Alpina-BMW B3 3.3 CoupA© (07/1999)
8:37 --- Maserati 3200GT (2002)
8:37 --- Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (09/2001)
8:37 --- Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec, 350 PS
8:37 --- Subaru Impreza GT Turbo
8:37 --- Honda NSX 3.0 (07/1991)
8:38 --- Honda NSX 3.2 (08/1997)
8:38 --- Mercedes-Benz SL500 (12/2001)
8:38 --- Porsche 996 Carrera, 296 PS
8:38 --- Brabus-Mercedes Benz CLK 5.8 (12/1998)
8:39 --- Honda S2000 (01/2000)
8:39 --- Morgan Aero 8 (04/2003)
8:40 --- Holden GTS, on an in and out lap (2000)
8:40 --- Chevrolet Corvette C5 Targa Automatic (07/1997)
8:41 --- Aston Martin DB7 (1999)
8:41 --- Audi S3, 210 PS (06/1999)
8:42 --- Audi S4, 265 PS (08/1998)
8:42 --- Lotus Exige (11/2000)
8:43 --- Honda Integra Type-R (12/2000)
8:44 --- Chevrolet Corvette C5
8:45 --- Chevrolet Corvette, 339 PS, automatic
8:46 --- Porsche 993 Carrera S, 285 PS
8:47 --- Honda Civic Type-R, 200 PS (11/2001)
8:49 --- Jaguar XKR Coupe (07/1998)
8:49 --- Renault Clio Sport V6
8:49 --- Audi TT 1.8T quattro CoupA©, 225 PS (11/1998)
8:50* -- Mercedes Benz E55 AMG (2000)
8:51 --- Mercedes Benz C43 AMG (02/1998)
8:52 --- Mercedes Benz CLK 430
8:58 --- Lotus Esprit Turbo SE (07/1991)
9:09 --- Volkswagen Golf V6 4Motion

And here's another one I found:

SportAuto, Nürburgring (Nordschleife):

Corvette ZR1 (2009) -----------------------------------------7.26 min
Porsche Carrera GT ------------------------------------------ 7.32 min
Porsche GTR 600 Gemballa ----------------------------------- 7.32,52 min
Pagani Zonda F --------------------------------------------- 7.33 min
Koenigsegg CCR --------------------------------------------- 7.34 min
Porsche Carrera GT ------------------------------------------ 7.40 min (wet track)
Porsche 911 Techart GT (620hp) ----------------------------- 7.43 min
Pagani Zonda S ---------------------------------------------- 7.44 min
Porsche 911 GT2 (462hp) ------------------------------------ 7.46 min
Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 -------------------------------- 7.47 min
Porsche 996 GT3 RS ----------------------------------------- 7.47 min
Porsche 997 GT3 -------------------------------------------- 7.48 min (R-tire)
Lamborghini Murciélago -------------------------------------- 7.50 min
BMW M3 CSL ----------------------------------------------- 7.50 min
Ford GT ---------------------------------------------------- 7.52 min
Lamborghini Gallardo ---------------------------------------- 7.52 min
Mercedes SLR ---------------------------------------------- 7.52 min
Porsche 911 GT3 (2003) ------------------------------------ 7.54 min
Mercedes CLK-DTM ----------------------------------------- 7.54 min
Ferrari F430 ------------------------------------------------ 7.55 min
Porsche 911 Turbo (420hp) --------------------------------- 7.56 min
Ferrari 360 CS ---------------------------------------------- 7.56 min
Lotec-Porsche 993 BiTurbo (1998) --------------------------- 7.57 min
Porsche 911 GT3 (old) -------------------------------------- 8.03 min
Aston Martin V8 Vantage ----------------------------------- 8.03 min (R-tires)
Lamborghini Diablo GT -------------------------------------- 8.04 min
Porsche Carrera S (997) ------------------------------------ 8.05 min
Ferrari 575M ----------------------------------------------- 8.05 min
Ferrari 550M ----------------------------------------------- 8.07 min
BMW M6 --------------------------------------------------- 8.09 min
Ferrari 360M ----------------------------------------------- 8.09 min
Honda NSX-R ---------------------------------------------- 8.09 min
Audi RS4 -------------------------------------------------- 8.09 min
Lamborghini Diablo SV -------------------------------------- 8.09 min
Viper GTS (1997) ------------------------------------------ 8.10 min
Donkervoort D8 180R -------------------------------------- 8.10 min
Mercedes SL 55 ------------------------------------------- 8.12 min
Aston Martin V8 Vantage ---------------------------------- 8.13 min (without R-tires)
BMW M5 E60 ---------------------------------------------- 8.13 min
Viper SRT-10 ---------------------------------------------- 8.13 min
Lotus Esprit Sport 350 ------------------------------------- 8.13 min
Mercedes SL 65 ------------------------------------------- 8.14 min
Corvette C6 ----------------------------------------------- 8.15 min
Z4 Alpina Roadster S--------------------------------------- 8.15 min
Z4 V8 Topster --------------------------------------------- 8.16 min
Aston Martin DB9 ------------------------------------------ 8.16 min
AC Schnitzer-BMW CLS II (E36) ---------------------------- 8.16 min
Aston Martin Vanquish ------------------------------------- 8.17 min
Porsche 996 C2 ------------------------------------------- 8.17 min
Maserati GranSport ---------------------------------------- 8.18 min
Ferrari F355------------------------------------------------ 8.18 min
BMW Z8 --------------------------------------------------- 8.18 min
Corvette C5 Com. Edition ----------------------------------- 8.18 min
Audi RS6 --------------------------------------------------- 8.20 min
BMW M3 E46 ----------------------------------------------- 8.22 min
Mercedes C55 ---------------------------------------------- 8.22 min
BMW Z3M Coupé ------------------------------------------- 8.22 min
Porsche Boxster S ------------------------------------------ 8.23 min
Porsche 996 C4 -------------------------------------------- 8.23 min
Mercedes SLK 55 ------------------------------------------- 8.24 min
Subaru Impreza WRX STi (265hp) --------------------------- 8.24 min
Porsche Cayman S ----------------------------------------- 8.25 min
Jaguar XKR (415hp) ---------------------------------------- 8.25 min
Audi RS4 (old) --------------------------------------------- 8.25 min
Mitsubishi EVO7 -------------------------------------------- 8.25 min
BMW 335i ------------------------------------------------- 8.26 min
Nissan 350Z ----------------------------------------------- 8.26 min
Mercedes SLK 32 ------------------------------------------ 8.26 min
BMW M5 E39 ---------------------------------------------- 8.28 min
Audi S4 Avant (new) --------------------------------------- 8.29 min
Maserati Coupé Cambiocorsa ------------------------------- 8.30 min
BMW Z4 3.0 SMG (231hp) ---------------------------------- 8.32 min
BMW Z3M Roadster ---------------------------------------- 8.32 min
Lotus Exige ------------------------------------------------ 8.32 min
Porsche Boxster S (252 hp) --------------------------------- 8.32 min
BMW Z4 3.0 Coupé ----------------------------------------- 8.32 min
Opel Speedster --------------------------------------------- 8.34 min
Brabus-Mercedes C V8 Sportcoupé -------------------------- 8.35 min
Mercedes C32 ---------------------------------------------- 8.37 min
Golf R32 ---------------------------------------------------- 8.37 min
Subaru Impreza GT (218hp) ---------------------------------- 8.37 min
Maserati 3200 GT ------------------------------------------- 8.37 min
Mercedes SL 500 -------------------------------------------- 8.38 min
Brabus-Mercedes CLK 5.8 (1998) ----------------------------- 8.38 min
Morgan Aero 8 ----------------------------------------------- 8.39 min
Honda S2000 ------------------------------------------------ 8.39 min
Audi S3 (1999) ---------------------------------------------- 8.41 min
Audi S4 (old) ------------------------------------------------ 8.42 min
Honda Civic Type-R ------------------------------------------ 8.47 min
Renault Clio Sport V6 (226hp) -------------------------------- 8.49 min
Audi TT 1.8T quattro ---------------------------------------- 8.49 min
Jaguar XKR (1998) ------------------------------------------- 8.49 min
Alfa 156 GTA ------------------------------------------------ 8.51 min
Mercedes C43 AMG ------------------------------------------ 8.51 min
Golf GTI DSG (200hp) ---------------------------------------- 8.52 min
Golf GTI 1.8T ------------------------------------------------ 8.54 min
Mini Cooper S Works ----------------------------------------- 8.55 min
Mercedes SLK 230 (2001) ------------------------------------ 9.07 min

 

[Bioscache2]

Thanks Rob, very impressive, but what's the difference in price and components/specs for the gtr and gtr v-spec. I wasn't tracking a special edition.

 

[Rob]

Thanks Rob, very impressive, but what's the difference in price and components/specs for the gtr and gtr v-spec. I wasn't tracking a special edition.

From WikiPedia:

Higher performance model

It has been confirmed that Nissan is planning to introduce a lighter and more powerful GT-R called the GT-R V-Spec,[11] or possibly Spec V.[12] Nissan has said that this model will be available in the United States in 2010[13][14] and will have 550 bhp (410 kW) (an increase of 77 bhp (57 kW)). It will also be 330 pounds (150 kg) lighter and come with carbon ceramic brakes. With these performance figures Nissan hopes to break the Nürburgring lap record for a stock vehicle.[15] A prototype has allegedly been observed by spectators running laps in the 7 minute 25 seconds range.[16]


Specifications

The VR38DETT engineThe Nissan GT-R is powered by the VR38DETT engine, a 3.8 L (230 cu in) DOHC V6. Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction.[17] Production vehicles produce 480 bhp (360 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 430 ft·lbf (580 N·m) at 3,200-5,200 rpm.[18] Major automotive press outless who have tested on a dynanometer put wheel horsepower between 414 hp (309 kW) and 430.6 hp (321.1 kW).[19][20] The engine also meets California ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) standards.[21] A curb weight of 1,730 kg (3,800 lb) or 1,736 kg (3,830 lb) with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded steel chassis with aluminum used for the hood (bonnet), trunk (boot) and doors.[22] A rear mounted 6 speed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission is used in conjunction with the ATTESA E-TS system to provide power to all four wheels and along with Nissan's Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC-R) aids in handling and stability. Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions. The drag coefficient is 0.27.[23]


Performance

Cutaway model showing rear mounted transmissionNissan claims a top speed of 190 mph (310 km/h) and has been tested to achieve 0-60 mph (97 km/h) times around 3.5 seconds.[24][25] Edmunds.com achieved a standing 1/4-mile time of 11.6 s at 190 km/h (118 mph) using the GT-R's launch control system. Edmunds also speculated that faster times may be achievable on better road conditions than provided by the runway which they used for the test.[26] Car and Driver achieved a standing 1/4-mile time of 11.5 s at 200 km/h (124 mph).[27] Evo magazine achieved a 0-100-0 mph time of 13.9 seconds.[28] AutoCar achieved a 0-100 MPH time of 8.5 seconds.[29] With a lap time of 7:29 sec on standard Japanese market tires, the standard-spec GT-R is currently one of the fastest production cars ever to lap the Nurburgring circuit.[30][31]

Some reviewers have compared the GT-R to the Bugatti Veyron, calling it a "baby Veyron" and "mini Veyron".

 

[Brett]

It has been speculated the Nissan GT-R Spec V could come in around $130,000.00. A lot of carbon fiber is needed to lose the reported 330 pounds, and carbon fiber is expensive.

7:26 is an impressive lap time for sure, but there should still be significant time left to found in the ZR1. He only hit 178 in the straightaway, and you can see him raise his hand in frustration as he slides out in a turn at 6:26 in the video.

Remember, the GT-R's initial reported time was a 7:38, and they have since whittled it down to a 7:29.

I bet the ZR1 could break 7:20.

 

[Rob]

I bet the ZR1 could break 7:20.

I say 7:15.