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2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Sets Nurburgring Lap Time - 7:16.04

10K views 62 replies 28 participants last post by  mbukukanyau 
#1 ·
2018 ZL1 1LE Sets Camaro Record at Nürburgring
Enhanced track capability elevates ZL1 1LE to fastest Camaro at famed track
General Motors

June 22, 2017



DETROIT — The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE has conquered the Green Hell in a new video from Chevrolet, lapping the Nürburgring’s 12.9-mile (20.8 km) Nordschleife (“north loop”) in only 7:16.04, making it the fastest Camaro to ever lap the famed German track.

The ZL1 1LE’s time is quick enough to place it 13.56 seconds ahead of the Camaro ZL1 with 10-speed automatic that Chevrolet tested last year.

“With chassis adjustability unlike any vehicle in its peer group, the Camaro ZL1 1LE challenges supercars from around the world regardless of cost, configuration or propulsion system,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “To make up more than a second per mile on the Nordschleife compared to the ZL1 automatic is a dramatic improvement and speaks to the 1LE’s enhanced track features.”

The Camaro ZL1 1LE takes Chevrolet’s track-focused 1LE legacy to an even higher level, with racing-based adjustable suspension components — including Multimatic DSSV® (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) front and rear dampers — special front dive planes and carbon-fiber rear wing, and exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires,* in an extreme track performance package powered by the 650-horsepower LT4 supercharged V-8 engine.

The Nürburgring lap time was achieved with the ZL1 1LE test car’s suspension adjusted for optimal track performance and running the production Goodyear tires.

“The harder you push the Camaro ZL1 1LE, the more it rewards you on the track,” said Bill Wise, Camaro ride and handling engineer and the driver of the hot lap. “It offers total control, with the confidence that it will deliver lap after lap.”

The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE (order code A1Z) carries an MSRP of $69,995, which includes a $995 destination charge (excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees extra). It goes on sale this summer.
 
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#10 ·
Personally I was hoping that it matched the 911 GT3 time of 7:12 but still this is a pretty good time. The Vette will really need to be a sub 7 car on the ring.
 
#14 ·
I would like to see the 10sp lap time comparison. Seems like that transmission would have kept the engine in the sweet spot more and it shifts crazy fast.
 
#49 ·
The 1LE is only available with the manual transmission.

That is racecar fast, give it to Tony Milner or Jordan Tylor and those laptimes would come down dramatically
Do you mean Tommy Milner?

Anyone else here glad that this lap was done while using a stick?
Yep! Some of the fastest Ring times (Viper ACR, Z06s, ZR1s) are good 'ol RWD manual vehicles!
 
#20 · (Edited)
#26 ·
Dang, that needed to be official.
 
#33 ·
It is refreshing too see since automakers are focusing less and less on getting there cars to perform well with manuals. Hopefully a auto is brought to set an even faster time OFFICIALLY lol
 
#45 ·
I would like to see a light ,naturally aspirated z28 . But if it would have a 600 hp from n.a engine (doubt GM would come even close to that with N.A engine) and depending on how would they achieve lower weight car would maybe be too expensive.

Remember what happened when they try to sell last Z 28 for +75 000 $? In the end you could buy that car with 20 000$ discount.
 
#44 ·
Yeah..you can pick and choose results of races, admit or not admit lost or win..or have your own definition of what is a pro racing driver or what is not,and which class separate racing driver from..non racing driver:D:D..If that makes you feel better go ahead.
No use of discussing that.

Now for people who are interested, and not trying to find excuse for every lost or win of the competition, here is the time from one car magazine on Sachsenring (yes it comes from a German car magazine)

1:29,98 - Mercedes-AMG GT R
1:30,26 - Corvette C7 Z06
1:30,52 - McLaren 675LT
1:30,92 - Dodge Viper ACR
1:31,30 - Porsche 911 GT3 (991.2)
1:31,79 - Lamborghini Aventador SV
1:32,30 - Porsche 911 Turbo S (991.2)
1:32,76 - Ferrari 458 Speciale
1:32,84 - Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4
1:32,97 - Porsche 911 GT3 (991.1)
1:33,17 - BMW M4 GTS
1:33,48 - Porsche 911 Carrera S (991.2)

Sport auto (Auto moto und sport) have tested Porsche 911 GT3 on Nurburgring with their own driver they completed the lap in 7:18.
Same magazine tested Mercedes GT R and set time 7:11. There are videos of both on youtube.

I think same magazine is driving Corvette C7 Z06 now and there could be some video soon (rumors suggest that)..what are your guesses? I think ,if they achieve in making one lap without any problem (overheating etc) they could be very close to 7:11 mark..or dare i say even better?
 
#47 ·
The driver is a pro driver that races and owns his own F2000 team. Look at the comments of the video and you will find it.

I cant believe how many people are comparing it to a Porsche (insert brand here) and thinking that it's a win for that brand. You are crazy to think that guys who can afford a $250k car are coming in to own a Camaro and be happy about it.......wait, they are!

There are numerous guys who are trading "down" to buy their racing vehicle and getting out of the outrageous prices being asked for them. There was (dont know if it's still there) a great thread on Camaro6 about the number of guys who traded down to buy a 1LE and Im sure there will be plenty lining up for the ZL1 1LE as well especially at it's price point.
 
#50 ·
To lap the Ring in 7:16 seconds you need to be an expert level driver, no average driver is going to do 7:16 regardless of how much power the car has. If anything, that much power in the wrong hands and the car is either going to end up off course, spun out, or wadded up in a wall. For $68k its a beast that will gobble up cars costing 2-3+ times as much. The elitist snobs, and the Chevy haters will still hate, but anyone who can appreciate cars in general will acknowledge that the ZL1 1LE is a "race car" in street clothing. Pretenders beware!
 
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