The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 sets a new best at the Ring

When The ZR1 ran a lap of 7.19:63, the Chevy supercar beat the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR’s previous record and while the time posted by the 2012 Corvette Z06 was slower than the Viper and ZR1, it is an amazing time for the less powerful and less expensive Z06. With a time of 7:22.68, GM engineer Jim Mero (the same guy who set the record in the ZR1) cut the Z06 models’ previous best time by an impressive 20 seconds but even more impressive is the fact that the Z06 is just a half second behind the Viper and about 3 seconds behind the ZR1 around the ‘Ring.

Now, it should be pointed out that this was not a base 2012 Corvette Z06, as it was equipped with a variety of high performance options featured in the Z07 package – many of which are standard features on the ZR1. The package begins with the Performance Traction Management and Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension system from the Corvette ZR1, along with Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires and the same massive Brembo carbon ceramic brakes that are featured on the top of the line Corvette. This package also includes various carbon fiber bits like the hood, front splitter and rockers which help to cut weight while improving the aerodynamics of the Z06.

The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 carries a price tag of $74,735 but adding the Z07 package tacks on an additional $9,495 for a total price of $84,820 – that’s $25,480 less than the Corvette ZR1 and just 3 seconds slower around what is arguably the world’s best track for determining a vehicle’s overall performance. That is also $23,365 less than the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that set the American production car record a few years ago with a time roughly a half second faster than the Z06. What might be more impressive is that Mero didn’t have what most would call a perfect lap with a few times where the back end of the car slid through a turn so I wouldn’t say that it is out of the question that Jim Mero and the Z06 could hit the track once more with a chance of besting the Viper’s time. Even though the Z06 was fitted up with a handful of high tech goodies from the ZR1, this was still a car that the average buyer could order from GM and drive off of a dealership lot…and at a sizable discount from the in-house and cross-town competitors.

The Nürburgring's Nordschleife course measures 12.9 miles and has an incredible 154 turns, along with a straightaway that allows cars to show their top speeds. In this case, the 2012 Corvette Z06 hit an impressive speed of 171 miles per hour towards the end of the huge closing stretch en route to finishing the lap in just 7:22.68. Check out the video below from YouTube for a look at the Corvette Z06 storming the ‘Ring courtesy of General Motors.

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The 2012 ZR1 smashes the Viper ACR’s ‘Ring record – with video
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The 2012 Corvette to see price increases
Information on the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette leaked online
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