American-made Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X smashes record as fastest domestic vehicle at esteemed Nurburgring track in 2026.
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X has made history at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, setting a record lap time for American production cars and securing its place among the fastest vehicles on the renowned German track.
With a blistering time of 6:49.275 minutes, the ZR1X, driven by Corvette vehicle dynamics engineer Drew Cattell, outperformed its predecessor, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which was the fastest car General Motors had ever produced. The ZR1X's lap time also surpassed the Ford Mustang GTD, placing it as the fastest American production car at the 'Ring.
The ZR1X, introduced for the 2026 model year, is a hybrid variant of the C8 Corvette. It combines a twin-turbocharged 5.5L LT7 V8 engine with a front-axle electric motor and an advanced all-wheel-drive system, producing a combined 1,250 horsepower, making it the most powerful Corvette ever made.
This hybrid powertrain is unique in that its powertrain features no physical connection between the V8 engine and the electric motor, utilizing a sophisticated hybrid system. The ZR1X delivers extreme performance, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds and completing a quarter-mile in less than 9 seconds.
Advanced aerodynamics, carbon-fiber components, a high-downforce rear wing, and massive carbon ceramic brakes with Alcon 10-piston front calipers—the largest ever on a Corvette—contribute to the ZR1X's impressive performance.
The ZR1X's record-setting lap time is not the fastest at the Nürburgring, however. The Mercedes AMG One holds the current record with a time of 6:29.090, while the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Manthey Performance and Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR have lap times of 6:43.300 and 6:44.749, respectively.
Despite these formidable competitors, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X stands out for its combination of cutting-edge hybrid powertrain technology, record-setting Nürburgring performance, and status as the most powerful and technologically advanced Corvette to date.
As the automotive world continues to evolve, it's clear that the Corvette ZR1X is leading the charge in performance and innovation.
References:
- Chevrolet Press Release
- MotorTrend
- Car and Driver
- Road & Track
- Autoblog
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