Video: New Corvette ZR1 Proves Its Worth With New Lap Record At VIR

TopSpeed

By Jonathan Lopez

Published Jan 31, 2018

Say hello to the fastest production 'Vette ever made

The ZR1 is a beast of a car, one which carries a reputation as a full-fledged track tool capable of slaying much more expensive machinery. Now, Chevy has the lap times to prove it thanks to a new fastest lap record at the Virginia International Raceway.

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Revealed in a surprise event late last year in Dubai, the new Corvette ZR1 takes the standard C7 formula and cranks it up to 11. The whole thing is dripping in go-faster attitude, and now, it looks like it's got the lap numbers to prove its worth.

Apparently, a 2019 model year Corvette ZR1 just set a new production car lap record at the Virginia International Raceway, taking just 2 minutes, 37.25 seconds to complete the 4.1-mile Grand Course West. Chevy also released an onboard video of the lap record, which you can watch right here.

The car was equipped with a harness bar, track seats, and five-point racing harnesses, as well as the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox and paddle shifters. The equipped ZTK Performance Package also helped mightily thanks to its hyper-aggressive and highly adjustable carbon fiber High Wing aero in the rear, a splitter with carbon end caps in the nose, Michelin's summer-only Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and Magnetic Ride Control tuning chassis upgrades

“The Corvette ZR1's lap record at VIR, arguably America's most challenging road course, is a testament to its supercar status. On the racetrack, the ZR1 can compete with any supercar – at any price,” said Chevy's executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, Mark Reuss.

While we might have a few words about the claim that VIR is America's “most challenging road course” (Laguna Seca, anyone?), we will admit that it is highly technical in spots and the surface looks less than ideal as well. Regardless, Chevy has every right to be proud of this fast time, and supercar makers should be wary of this all-American challenger.

The ZR1 in question set the record while conducting “routine validation testing” earlier in January, with vehicle dynamics engineer Jim Mero in the hot seat. The set-up included track-spec alignment and aero-setting recommendations as outlined in the owner's manual. “As part of the validation, the ZR1 was finalizing its total of 24 hours of at-limit track testing, with multiple GM Performance engineers logging laps,” Chevy said in a press release.

Hopefully, that means the overheating issues that plagued the Z06 are now a thing of the past. As well it should, considering the ZR1 comes with 13 radiators total. Output is provided by a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, which peaks at 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque thanks to a more-efficient intercooler system, dual fuel injection, and 2.65-liter blower.

The ZR1 coupe goes on sale this spring for $119,995, with the ZTK Performance Package running an additional $2,995.