We only just learned about the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1’s Nürburgring lap time on Wednesday through a tweet from a GM spokesperson, yet the Detroit automaker has already released video footage from its run of the Nordschleife.
Officially, the new 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1 won’t go on sale before the end of the first quarter in 2012, but GM said it used a “production-intent model, with no performance modifications“, driven by Camaro Performance Engineer Aaron Link to record a lap time of 7:41.27.
According to the automaker, that is nearly 40 seconds quicker than a Camaro SS tested at the famous German circuit back in 2009.
GM pointed out that it achieved this time “from a flying start”, suggesting it may take another shot at it in the near future to further improve the Camaro ZL1’s record.
“Breaking an eight-minute lap in a 2+2 production car is a tremendous accomplishment, and validates that the Camaro ZL1 will truly be track-ready from the showroom,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer.
Aaron Link, the man behind the steering wheel commented: “One of the best moments is coming through ‘Fuchsröhre’, or Foxhole. The ZL1 accelerates at an unbelievable rate down through the tunnel of trees, and into a sweeping left-hand corner flat out in fifth gear. You have to have an extremely well-mannered, confidence-inspiring car to take any corner at 160 mph without lifting off the throttle – and the ZL1 was just brilliant.”
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