Corvette ZR1X Sets New Nรผrburgring Record for American Cars
Nรผrburg,Germany – The electrified Corvette ZR1X has claimed the title of the fastest American car ever to lap the legendary Nรผrburgring Nordschleife,completing the 12.944-mile circuit in 6 minutes and 49.275 seconds.The record-breaking run was achieved by driver Drew Cattell on October 26, 2023, during a manufacturer-organized testing program.
The ZR1X is a high-performance variant of the Corvette,featuring a 5.5-liter V8 engine with twin turbochargers, augmented by an electric motor powering the front axle. This hybrid powertrain delivers a combined output of 1,268 horsepower. The vehicle also incorporates the ZTK aerodynamics package for enhanced downforce and stability.
General Motors President Mark Reuss hailed the achievement as a testament to the engineering prowess of the Corvette team.”From construction to production and finally to the track: our engineers’ competence has no boundaries.Thes versions of Corvette are the best we have ever created. And the point,” Reuss stated.
Two other drivers also piloted corvette ZR1 variants during the Nรผrburgring testing session. brian Wallace recorded a lap time of 6 minutes and 50.763 seconds in a conventionally powered ZR1, while Aaron Link completed the track in 7 minutes and 11.826 seconds in a less powerful ZR1 model.
The Nรผrburgring Nordschleife, often referred to as the “Green Hell,” is a notoriously challenging circuit used by automakers to evaluate the performance and durability of their vehicles. A fast lap time at Nรผrburgring is widely considered a benchmark of automotive excellence.
notably, neither the ZR1 nor the ZR1X models are currently slated for sale in the European market. The Nรผrburgring runs were conducted with prototype vehicles as part of an intensive testing and development program. The track is located in Nรผrburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
For more information on the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X, visit corvette.com.