Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record.

Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record.

      Chevrolet

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      While the Corvette retains its “affordable” pricing, taking the wheel of a world-class Corvette ZR1X comes at a significant cost. Priced at likely over $200,000, it’s hardly a budget option. Nevertheless, the C8 remains an incredible value for its price, and Chevrolet recently spent time at the Nürburgring showcasing its capabilities. With support from the ZR1X, the engineers accomplished the fastest official lap of any American manufacturer around the 12.9-mile circuit, surpassing the Ford Mustang GTD, which is ironically considered to be priced well above the dominating Corvette.

      Additionally, they achieved this feat again with the standard ZR1, which is approximately $156,000 cheaper than the Mustang GTD.

      The gap in performance is not vast, and neither Ford nor Chevy (nor Porsche, for that matter) is quite on the same level as the Mercedes-AMG One. However, with lap times of 6:50.763 for the ZR1 and 6:49.275 for the ZR1X, these Corvettes nicely frame Germany’s prime competitor, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

      Mercedes AMG One – 6:29.090 (Super Sports Car)

      Porsche 911 GT2 RS Manthey Performance Kit – 06:43.300 (Sports Car)

      Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR – 6:44.749 (Modified Vehicles)

      Mercedes AMG GT Black Series – 6:48.047 (Sports Car)

      Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – 6:49.275 (Prototypes / Pre-Production Vehicles)

      Porsche 911 GT3 RS – 6:49.328 (Sports Car)

      Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 – 6:50.763 (Prototypes / Pre-Production Vehicles)

      Ford Mustang GTD – 6:52.072 (Sports Car)

      Ford’s new powerful Mustang now claims the eighth-fastest time on the track’s official leaderboard. Vehicle performance manager Aaron Link also managed a lap in a Z06 in 7:11.826—just slower than Porsche's 2021 lap with the 718 Cayman GT4 RS (non-Manthey) driven by a guy named Jörg. However, reports suggest that the Z06 may have potential for faster times.

      “We’ve forged a unique relationship between our cars, iconic tracks, and our engineers as part of our vehicle development,” stated Ken Morris, GM senior vice president of Product Programs, Safety, Integration, and Motorsports.

      “These Corvettes were not driven by professional racers. They were operated by the same engineers who designed, engineered, and fine-tuned them,” Morris added. “Brian, Aaron, and Drew have evolved into world-class drivers while also being exceptional engineers. Their lap times rank among the fastest ever logged by non-professionals at the ‘Ring, which is quite impressive.”

      The cars used for the record-setting laps were fitted with the optional ZTK package and equipped with a roll hoop, a complete containment race seat, a fire extinguisher, and a six-point safety harness. Other than that, they remained stock.

      Currently, GM holds both the fastest and second-fastest American cars around the ‘Ring. Naturally, nothing prevents Ford from making another attempt. The Blue Oval has visited The Green Hell twice, with its second visit yielding a five-second improvement in its lap time. A bit more than a 50% enhancement in performance would be needed to challenge the Corvette’s supremacy.

      That's a compelling target, wouldn’t you say?

      Are you setting records at the Nürburgring? Share your insights at [email protected].

Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record. Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record. Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record. Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record. Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record.

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Both the Chevy Corvette ZR1X and ZR1 have outperformed the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring record.

Chevy took it to heart when the Mustang GTD became the first American vehicle to surpass the 7-minute mark at the Nurburgring.