Corvette returned to the world's most-demanding testing ground - Germany's
famed Nurburgring - and recorded lap times that rank among the fastest recorded
for a production car.
As detailed on video, the 2012 Corvette ZR1
recorded a lap time of 7:19.63, more than six seconds faster than the previous
Corvette-best recorded in 2008. A lap video featuring the Corvette Z06 will be
released soon.
"Testing at the Nurburgring is one of the important
methods we have to validate our car in the toughest track conditions." says
Tadge Juechter, Corvette vehicle line director and chief engineer.
Measuring 12.9 miles (20.8 km) and including some 154 turns, the Nurburgring's
Nordschleife ("north loop") is widely considered the world's most-demanding
course. As was the case at Corvette's last test in 2008, the car was driven by
Corvette engineer Jim Mero and was a full production model with no performance
modifications. This test was to validate the car's added performance technology
coming to production later this summer for the 2012 model year.
Corvette's improved performance for 2012 begins with the new, optional Michelin®
Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, which are available on the two
highest-performing models, the lightweight, 505-hp (377 kW) Z06 and the
maximum-performance, 638-hp (476 kW) supercharged ZR1. They are
competition-oriented tires, optimized for warm, dry conditions to increase
cornering and handling capability.
When combined with the Corvette's
exclusive Performance Traction Management (PTM) technology - which manages
torque delivery for maximum performance - the tires set new benchmarks for
Corvette performance. Engineers estimate an 8-percent gain in maximum lateral
acceleration, to more than 1.1g, and improved braking distance.