GM releases pics of Corvette ZR1 lapping 'Ring
Click above for high-res gallery of the Corvette ZR1 with new pics
The stats we throw around when comparing cars has remained the same for years. A car's 0-60 mph time and top speed are the two most well known, but this year a new stat has emerged that tells us more about a car's overall abilities than just mashing the accelerator would. It's the lap time of the Nürburgring, and you're just not a contender for supercar of the year until you've done it. The Nissan GT-R really brought attention to this statistic when it began impressing spy photogs who watched it slither around the 'Ring all through its development. Then the GT-R posted a blistering 7:29 lap time. The stat was further thrust into the spotlight when a Corvette engineer promised that Nissan would not hold the record for long. And it didn't. On June 27th, the Corvette ZR1 ran the 'Ring in 7:26.4 to take the crown. While we've watched video of the ZR1's fast lap over and over, we haven't enjoyed any professoinal images of the ZR1 running the Nürburgring yet, until today. GM has just released four new photos of a production ZR1 on the famous German track, and while these aren't pics of the record run, they still show a ZR1 on the 'Ring and that's enough to become our next desktop wallpaper. Check out all the new pics in our gallery below.
Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
[Source: GM]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Benfolio 2:12PM (8/11/2008)
They forgot to put the center caps back on.
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Red 2:17PM (8/11/2008)
I think what's most impressive is this car manages to do this without an enormous rear wing. Thank God, the Cobalt designers weren't in charge of aerodynamics...
That said, color me impressed, but 'Ring times are really nothing more than bragging rights for that specific course. I'd really like to know how this fairs against other cars on other tracks. I think it'd hold its own against most, if not all. I think that'd be even more impressive. At least to me anyway.
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sunnycyclist 2:40PM (8/11/2008)
At least ring times are more realistic of actual driving dynamics than 0-60 times. If I had a ZR1 (or GT-R), I'd want to take it on some lovely curvy roads; just slamming on the gas on a straight track is just not that interesting.
David 2:20PM (8/11/2008)
Sure does make a nice desktop background...
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3seriesisking 2:58PM (8/11/2008)
It does look good doesn't it?
Red 2:25PM (8/11/2008)
I will say however, I do think this car's most impressive feat is doing as well as it does with the technology it has. All things considered this is pretty old school compared to, say, the GT-R's sophisticated AWD, plasma lined cylinders, dual clutch transmission, etc. I say this as someone who's had experience with the GT-R, but still...old school American concepts meet new school American thinking.
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LoneWolf 2:32PM (8/11/2008)
Exactly the absence of the hyper modern technologies make for me the fascination of the 'Vette
KeatMP 2:30PM (8/11/2008)
New background. It looks fantastic in red.
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Franz 2:32PM (8/11/2008)
Nice pictures.
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Torrent 2:55PM (8/11/2008)
Definitely my new wallpaper.
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Eddy Alvarez 3:17PM (8/11/2008)
mmmm
car pwrno.
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Benfolio 3:59PM (8/11/2008)
Are we sure this is not the car that ran the record lap?
The lack of the wheel center caps and the roll cage are a dead giveaway.
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996700 4:04PM (8/11/2008)
am i wrong or doe's the zr 1 make 150 more hp then the gtr so it should run faster around the ring it made up the time on the straights....:)
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Joe K. 4:35PM (8/11/2008)
You're wrong, unless you actually believe the Nissan only makes 480 bhp...
TKOsoccer03 5:23PM (8/11/2008)
First of all, if you watch the synchronized video of the two cars, they are just as fast through the first few turns.. the GTR does not pull ahead at any point.. remember, on the ring, 3 seconds at that speed is equivalent to about 750 feet.. which is far.
With that said, no 2 GT-R's make the same power .. why? poorly made it's that simple. Some have been dynoed at 520 whp (MT). They claim it's because they're hand built .. no .. the LS7 and LS9 are hand built and they all make the same power.
996700 9:07PM (8/11/2008)
ok second off let say the gtr makes 520hp it about 3800lbs. the zr1 makes 638hp and is about 3300lbs you can be a badge whore if you like but the facts remain power to weight.....big deal the zr 1 is faster it should be on paper.......that is all!!!
David 4:07PM (8/11/2008)
Is it just me or does the clear window on the hood seem to be missing in these new pix? A bit hard to tell for sure, but I would see that as a plus.
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Benfolio 4:22PM (8/11/2008)
It's there. Pics 1 and 3 show it. 1 shows it reflecting the clouds.
I dunno, I think it would look better without it, AND the chrome wheels. Chrome wheels on a $100k Chevy.
Gimmieabreak.
Mino 4:09PM (8/11/2008)
what amazes me is no bug splatter at all on the bumper/windshield/side view mirrors...now that is truely a mystery
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patrick 4:58PM (8/11/2008)
Dear Corvette God, Please inspire the designer's to create the most insanely beautiful, sexy, and functional Vette body ever imagined for the next generation Corvette. And please let it not look like the Corvette concept in the next Transformer's movie. Amen
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