While the new Corvette ZR1 was developed at the Nürburgring, the final prototypes haven't had the chance yet to attempt a record run. Due to the rules of the 'Ring, manufacturers are only allowed to try their luck on certain dry days of the season. Chevy had a single slot to play with last year, and that was awarded to the Camaro ZL1 1LE, since its development was more complete than the ZR1's.

While Nürburgring lap times have become generally accepted performance benchmarks, chasing a record is more important to some than others. Lamborghini had to get it with the Huracan Performante to promote its clever ALA aero system (a technology that the Corvette guys have yet to get their hands on), and so did Porsche to prove once again how far 911s have come.

Máté Petrány / Road&Track

Luckily, the Corvette ZR1 won't cost anywhere near the $293,200 one needs to fork out for a GT2 RS, which means it doesn't need to aim for the overall record either.

Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter told me that while the record run is not a priority for them, they will do it sometime after the car goes on sale next spring, hoping to break the seven minute barrier.

Such a result would make the C7 ZR1 some twenty seconds quicker than the C6 ZR1, which ran a 7:19.63 back in 2011.

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The new version has more power, a much smarter aero package, and crucially, Michelin's Pilot Sport Cup 2 "summer-only" tires, which will push the cornering speeds way higher than what was possible to achieve six years ago.

Under seven minutes would mean the ZR1 is just quicker than the Dodge Viper ACR at the 'Ring, which would make it the quickest American car at the German track.

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