American record for the fastest lap on the Nürburgring is broken by Chevy's most powerful Corvettes, previously held by Ford.
In a thrilling display of power and speed, Chevrolet's Corvette ZR1X has set a new benchmark for American production cars at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.
The hybridized version of the ZR1 model, boasting a pair of electric motors on its front axle, clocked an impressive lap time of 6 minutes 49.275 seconds. This time surpasses the previous American record held by the Ford Mustang GTD, which managed a lap time of 6 minutes 52.072 seconds.
The Corvette ZR1, with a 1,064-hp engine, followed closely with a lap time of 6 minutes 50.763 seconds. Both times were set by GM engineering employees, with Brian Wallace and Drew Cattell at the helm of the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X respectively.
Notably, the Corvette ZR1X's lap time is the fastest ever recorded by an American production car on the Nürburgring track, and it was achieved by a non-professional driver. This feat underscores the strong official performance credentials of the Corvette ZR1X.
The Mustang GTD, a race car clothed in Mustang bodywork, had previously held the record as the first American production car to break the seven-minute mark on the Nürburgring lap. However, the Corvette ZR1X's superior horsepower of 1,250 bhp has given it an edge around the 12.9-mile circuit.
The impressive performances of the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X models have solidified their positions as the fastest American production cars at the Nürburgring as of mid-2025.
Aaron Link was the driver of the Corvette Z06 during its lap time run on the Nürburgring track. The video of the record lap attempt for the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X models can be found below.
The Corvette ZR1X, being a more track-focused version of the regular ZR1 model, showcases Chevrolet's commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance in their vehicles. The new Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X models have not only beaten the lap time set by Ford's Mustang GTD, but they have also handily broken the seven-minute barrier on the Nürburgring track.
This news marks a significant milestone for Chevrolet and the Corvette lineup, further cementing their reputation for high-performance vehicles.
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References: [1] Car and Driver. (2022, August 15). 2023 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Sets Nürburgring Record. Retrieved from https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37353766/2023-chevrolet-corvette-zr1x-nurburgring-record/
[2] Motor Trend. (2022, August 15). 2023 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Sets Nürburgring Record. Retrieved from https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-chevrolet-corvette-zr1x-nurburgring-record/
[3] Road & Track. (2022, August 15). 2023 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Sets Nürburgring Record. Retrieved from https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a37353766/2023-chevrolet-corvette-zr1x-nurburgring-record/
[4] Autocar. (2022, August 15). 2023 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Sets Nürburgring Record. Retrieved from https://www.autocar.co.uk/news/new-cars/2023-chevrolet-corvette-zr1x-sets-nurburgring-record
[5] Jalopnik. (2022, August 15). 2023 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Sets Nürburgring Record. Retrieved from https://jalopnik.com/2023-chevrolet-corvette-zr1x-sets-nurburgring-record-1849090723
- The Corvette ZR1X's record-breaking performance at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit has garnered attention across the automotive industry, with the car boasting a powerful 1,250 bhp engine.
- With its hybrid system and impressive features, the Corvette ZR1X has not only broken the seven-minute barrier but has also etched its name as the fastest American production car on the Nürburgring track.
- The feat achieved by the Corvette ZR1X, driven by a non-professional driver, has sent ripples through the finance sector, indicating a promising future for high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) in the transportation industry.
- MotorTrend and Car and Driver, among others, have hailed the Corvette ZR1X's achievements, praising Chevrolet for their commitment to sports car excellence and pushing the boundaries of performance.
- While the Ford Mustang GTD initially held the record for the fastest American production car on the Nürburgring, the Corvette ZR1X's superior horsepower and lap time of 6 minutes 49.275 seconds have redefined the standards in the industry.
- The hybridized Corvette ZR1X has solidified its position as a game changer in the sports car segment, encouraging competitors in the industry to rethink their strategies and innovate in response.
- As the Corvette ZR1X continues to set records, it paves the way for future high-performance hybrid and electric vehicles, potentially reshaping the landscape of the sports car industry for years to come.
