Chevy's Corvette Clinches Top Speed in U.S. at Prestigious Racing Venue
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X has made history by becoming the fastest American production car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. This hybrid supercar, with a combination of a 1,064-hp twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor at the front axle, achieved a record-breaking lap time of 6 minutes 49.275 seconds [1][5].
This impressive feat places the ZR1X ahead of the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS and other high-performance cars, demonstrating its exceptional speed and performance among both American and international supercars [1]. The base ZR1, with rear-wheel drive and the same horsepower, recorded a slightly slower lap of 6:50.763 [2][3][4].
The ZR1X's hybrid powertrain significantly enhances traction and lap times at the Nürburgring, positioning it as a leading supercar in terms of combined speed, power, and handling. This electrified all-wheel-drive vehicle is seen by industry watchers as a competitor to prestige hypercars by Ferrari and McLaren [6].
The Corvette ZR1X's record time is roughly three seconds faster than the record set earlier this year by the Ford Mustang GTD [1]. The only modifications made to the cars for the Nürburgring records were track-recommended safety equipment.
The Corvette ZR1X, ZR1, and Z06 variants used in the Nürburgring records were all U.S. production-spec vehicles [3]. Brian Wallace, vehicle dynamics engineer for the Corvette ZR1, achieved a lap time of 6:50.763 on the Nürburgring, while Drew Cattell, the vehicle dynamics engineer for the ZR1X, set a record time of 6:49.275 [1].
The Corvette Z06, driven by Vehicle Performance Manager Aaron Link, had a lap time of 7:11:826 on the Nürburgring. The Z06's engine is a naturally aspirated 5.5L V-8, producing 670 hp. The Z06 had the Z07 Performance Package with carbon fiber wheels, Michelin Cup 2R summer-only tires, and 6-piston front, 4-piston rear ceramic brakes [6].
The 2025 Corvette ZR1 begins at roughly $175,000 and reaches over $220,000, depending on trim level and packages. It boasts a top speed of 233 mph and a 0-60-mph time of 2.3 seconds, with peak torque of 828 lb.-ft. (1,123 Nm) at 6,000 rpm [2].
The pricing for the ZR1X has not been announced by GM, but estimates range from $200,000-$260,000 [5]. The 2026 Corvette ZR1X was announced in June and is set to go on sale later this year in the U.S. [5].
A new 17-minute documentary on the Corvette's speed records at the Nürburgring is available on Chevy's official YouTube channel [4]. This documentary provides an in-depth look at the record-breaking runs and the technology behind the Corvette ZR1X, ZR1, and Z06.
[1] https://www.motortrend.com/news/chevrolet-corvette-zr1-zr1x-z06-nurburgring-record-lap-times/ [2] https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/corvette/zr1/ [3] https://www.motor1.com/news/507227/corvette-zr1-zr1x-z06-nurburgring-lap-times/ [4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W39bDk57d9A [5] https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37031716/2026-chevrolet-corvette-zr1x-announced/ [6] https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/18/2022-corvette-z06-nurburgring-lap-time-video/
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X's record-breaking lap time has placed it in a competitive position within the global sports industry, going head-to-head with prestigious hypercars from Ferrari and McLaren in the finance sector, as prices for both the base ZR1 and the upcoming ZR1X are estimated to be over $175,000. Additionally, the ZR1X's impressive performance in the transportation sector, achieved through a combination of a powerful V8 engine and an electric motor, has elevated the automotive industry's perception of American supercars on international circuits like the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
