Earlier this week, Chevrolet released a promotional video to coincide with the start of regular production for the 2020 Corvette C8.
While the clip didn’t appear special at first glance, it hid the car’s Nürburgring lap time in plain sight. As noticed by Roadshow, the time is visible at the 52 second mark and shows the model lapped the Green Hell in 7 minutes and 29.9 seconds.
While the time just looks like graffiti, the publication reached out to Chevrolet who confirmed it was legit. A spokesperson went on to say the time is “uncertified,” but was set last summer using a Corvette equipped with the optional Z51 Performance Package.
Also Read: 2020 Corvette C8 Is America’s Mid-Engine Sports Car For The Masses
As a refresher, the package costs $5,000 and includes a modestly revised exterior with a front splitter, rear spoiler and cooling inlets for the front brakes – which themselves are larger than stock. The package also adds an enhanced cooling system, a different axle ratio and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer-only tires.
Other goodies include a performance suspension, an electronic limited slip differential and a sports exhaust. The latter enables the mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine to produce 495 hp (369 kW / 502 PS) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque.
https://twitter.com/olivergavin/status/1224766200862969856
Getting back to the lap time, it was set by Oliver Gavin who has won his class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times with Corvette Racing. Those wins were achieved using the C5-R, C6.R and C7.R.
Gavin also confirmed the time in a tweet saying “I had a great time behind the wheel of the Corvette Stingray last summer in Germany. Take a close look at the Corvette Documentary Trailer to see how we did, they even let me set a laptime!”
According to NurburgringLapTimes.com, the Corvette Z51 was slightly quicker than the Mercedes SLS AMG GT and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. However, it was slower than the Camaro ZL1, McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 Italia.
That being said, the time is unofficial so it’s possible the car could even quicker. Regardless, it’s still impressive for a car that starts at $59,995.