Corvette ZR1 engineer says GT-R won't be King of the 'Ring for long
The Nissan GT-R's 7:29 lap record won't stand for long if Chevrolet has anything to say about it. Speaking with InsideLine, Corvette Chief Engineer, Tadge Jeuchter, says that the ZR1, "will be able to take the production-car track record at any racetrack," and that although Chevy doesn't have a production version of the uber-Vette at the Nurburgring yet, they're expecting a lap time of "seven minutes, twenty-something seconds." That sounds like smack-talk to us. But while the ZR1 might have the potential to best the GT-R's 'Ring time, the 550-600 hp elephant in the room is the forthcoming GT-R V-Spec, which is already putting down (roughly-timed) laps around the North Loop in the 7:25 realm. Let the battle begin. We're making popcorn now.
Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Gallery: Nissan GT-R (US-spec)
[Source: InsideLine]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
Jason 1:05PM (5/02/2008)
Correction: It's "V-Spec"
And all I can say to Chevy is Bring it on!
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geo.stewart 2:57PM (5/02/2008)
In the grand scheme of things; all the owners will be winners and nearly none of them will be able to approximate these times or take their to 90% of its capabilities.
jgp 1:05PM (5/02/2008)
Smack talk. Impressive automotive feats. Sounds like fun.
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3seriesisking 1:28PM (5/02/2008)
Sounds like fun indeed. Should also prove to be quite interesting.
RJ 1:49PM (5/02/2008)
It's fun talk for sure, but if Chevy wants to be serious, they need to focus less on the luxry and more on real performance.
Start by using PROPER track tires, such as RE-01Rs. Hell, make a "Nurburgring packge" with high downforce spoiler, and DOT R-compounds, high negative cambers, ala Viper ACR.
Those 15.5" carbon ceramic brakes definitely seem to be up to the job though.
Franz 2:03PM (5/02/2008)
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to how this one will turn out. The ZR1 might just pip the regular GT-R, but I don't think it'll have the cojones to take down the V-Spec, which if we're being fair is the proper rival to the ZR1. My money is on the V-Spec, but let's wait and see.
Proud Japanese 2:22PM (5/02/2008)
The ZR1 is currently nowhere near beating the base GTR's time, let alone the V-Spec. The V-Spec will absolutely destroy the ZR1.
Mike 11:11AM (5/03/2008)
I guess the proud japanese are now on the dev team for the ZR1.
naggs 4:25PM (5/04/2008)
i will be impressed when an independant group gets the GTR into the 7.40s
i am not holding my breath.
same BS as with previous gen skylines, nissan claiming fantasy times that no one can duplicate.
zr1>zo6>v-spec>z51>GTR>911 turbo
till i see some independent times that do anything but confirm that, i will continue to say i told ya so
Igenius 1:29PM (5/10/2008)
Can you say "HATERS". I've never seen so much hate for a car in my lifetime, could it be that the vette fanboys are scared. why are you so afraid of the GT-R, is it because it is superior to so many... 911s, vettes, vipers, M's, AMG's to name a few. I know why, its because its nissan, why should a company such as nissan make such a superior product... Its killing you inside ain't it. ha, i love it. Kill em softly nissan.
NOreasonY 1:05PM (5/02/2008)
great battle... cant wait to see it unfold....ill take a ZR1 though....
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Dolemite 2:06PM (5/02/2008)
I agree, but the Z06 looks best overall. It is also the lightest if that sort of thing even matters.
Proud Japanese 2:23PM (5/02/2008)
@Dolemite: Except the GTR happens to be faster. You brag on about being lighter. And I will keep lapping on a track with the GTR.
naggs 2:30PM (5/02/2008)
i wonder how a gtr would stack up against a z06 in an endurance race?
ceej989 3:02PM (5/02/2008)
now if Chevy could redo the interior so it doesn't look like they pulled that out of a 2000 Cavalier...
Dolemite 3:12PM (5/02/2008)
Proud Japanese,
I am not even sure if I should be replying to you or not, as you do not even seem like the type of person that is reasonable or even mature.
Listen, I do not have a problem with the GT-R being faster. I did not say the Z06 is faster, but better looking. You do not have to agree if you don't like how the Z06 looks. And in any case, even if the GT-R is faster, some people do care about weight. However, if you re-read the last part of my comment, you would see that I add "if that sort of thing even matters" considering these four cars that we are talking about are 200MPH, 500HP machines.
BTW, on a side note, if you really are a proud Japanese, then maybe you should be out there having some kids instead of misreading comments and being a douche. Japanese population is shrinking so fast that eventually there won't be anyone or anything to be proud of.
Dolemite 3:31PM (5/02/2008)
naggs,
BTW, I still get a kick out of your HP over camshaft comment in the ZR1 engine thread. Haha, some good stuff.
Seoultrain 3:36PM (5/02/2008)
"Proud Japanese"? You must be part of the Department of Redundancy Department.
havoc 3:51PM (5/02/2008)
@ dole and naggs re: hp/cam
yes, i enjoyed that as well, even though most of it was bashing... me?
i just thought i'd add that at one point i had 7 cams for my integra (various lifts/durations and some spares cause hey, you never know). so i guess that would have made my teg the lowest hp/cam on the market (insert laughter here)
JR 5:14PM (5/02/2008)
Proud Japanese? I seriously doubt you are one. You're just an American troll trying to stir up racial hatred.
Are you really a Japanese? 本当に？ てめは荒しだけじゃん？
Now what did I just called you, 誇り高い日本人？