Chevrolet today released a video of a 2017 Camaro ZL1 lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:29.6. This is 11.67 seconds quicker than the previous ZL1’s fast lap. A lap of the Nordschleife, which bypasses the professional Grand Prix track, is 20.832 km (12.944 miles) long. (see Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Runs a 7:41.27 lap at Nürburgring.) Whether it’s a great marketing move is not in question, but the Ring is not without its critics who question its relevance to production car buyers who are not the professionals – drivers, factories and teams – who undertake such runs on racing tires.
The record on the challenging German course is held by a rare, unknown in the U.S., Radical SR8 LM at 6:48. The closest thing to a production car you might recognize is the 6:57 turned by a Porsche 918 Spyder more than three years ago. (see Corvette ZR1 Cuts 6 Seconds from Nürburgring Lap Time or Dodge Viper Bests Chevrolet Corvette Lap Time at Nürburgring)
“To be almost 12 seconds quicker than the 5th-Generation ZL1 is a testament to the advanced design and technology of the new ZL1,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “From the improved aerodynamics, mass reduction and 650-horsepower LT4 to the Magnetic Ride Control, electronic limited-slip differential and Custom Launch Control, the ZL1 was designed to take on the world’s most challenging track, making it right at home on any track, road or drag strip anywhere.”
ZL1 Modifications
The only changes made to the ZL1 were the installation of data acquisition equipment, a roll hoop and Sparco racing seats with six-point harnesses. Otherwise, the car was stock and included the following:
- 2-liter supercharged LT4 V-8 making 650 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque
- All-new 10R90 10-speed automatic transmission (set to Track mode to enable Performance Algorithm Shift calibration, providing optimal gear selection without the need to manually select gears)
- FE4 Suspension with Magnetic Ride Control
- Performance Traction Management
- Forged 20-inch wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires
- Brembo brakes with front 15.4-inch rotors and six-piston calipers and rear 14.4-inch rotors and four-piston calipers
- Lift-reducing front fascia elements with cooling ducts and Chevrolet “flowtie”
- Full underbody shielding
- ZL1-specific rear spoiler and diffuser
- 11 heat exchangers
“Many fast laps around the Nordschleife are dramatic, with lots of oversteer and steering input,” said Drew Cattell, Camaro ride and handling engineer and driver of the hot lap. “Not so with the ZL1, which is extremely planted and stable, almost calm. With Magnetic Ride and great overall chassis balance, the ZL1 is all about being inch perfect at every turn and carrying a lot of speed,” he claimed.
