The Porsche 911 GT2 RS remains the only rear-wheel drive car to post a sub-seven-minute lap time around the Nurburgring. It could soon have company, though, if the Chevrolet Camaro has something to do about it. Chevrolet is setting lofty goals for future variations of its resident car, including becoming only the second rear-wheel-drive car to break the seven-minute barrier around the Nordschleife.

Chevrolet chief engineer Al Oppenheiser made it clear in an interview with Hagerty that Chevrolet isn’t going to sit idly by as Dodge and Ford flex their muscles with the Challenger SRT Demon and the upcoming Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, respectively. With its rivals dominating the headlines, the Bowtie is keen on making a splash of its own with more offerings for the Camaro, including drag-oriented packages that would allow it to compete against the Challenger SRT Demon and Shelby GT500. “We’re looking at performance drag packs for the street, we’re looking at any available horsepower that will fit in the car, trying to stay relevant and on top,” Oppenheimer said.

The current-generation Camaro is set to receive a mid-cycle update this year so you can expect a lot of surprises to come along with it. The drag-oriented packages are just one example of that. We saw what that option could turn into when Chevrolet showcased the Camaro Drag Development parts at the SEMA Auto Show last year. But that’s just one aspect of the Camaro’s future that Oppenheiser was alluding to. There are bigger goals at play that can help the pony car remain relevant in the business.

Becoming only the second rear-wheel drive car to lap the Nurburgring in under seven minutes counts as one of those goals. As it stands, the hardcore Camaro ZL1 1LE lapped the ‘Ring in 7:16.04 seconds, more than 13 seconds faster than the 640-horsepower ZL1 variant. With the expected update on the horizon, Oppenheiser is confident that the best is yet to come for the iconic muscle car.

“We think there’s more in it,” he said, referring to the Camaro’s future. “We’re gonna keep tinkering around with it. Wouldn’t it be cool to see a Camaro under 7:00 at the Nurburgring? I’d like to see it.

So would we, sir. So would we.

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References

Chevrolet Camaro

Read our full review on the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.

Read our full review on the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro.

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