The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Just Smacked Down A 7min 16sec 'Ring Time

The track-focused version of the Camaro ZL1 has put in a stunning lap at the Nurburgring

22 Jun 2017

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Just Smacked Down A 7min 16sec 'Ring Time

Thanks to a teaser posted by Chevrolet recently, we knew the firm was about to tell us just how fast its shouty Camaro ZL1 1LE had gone around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Today, the magic time has been revealed: 07:16.04.

Rather brisk, in other words. It makes the manual 1LE used 13.56 seconds faster than a standard, 10-speed automatic ZL1, over three seconds faster than a C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and just a little slower than a Lexus LFA Nurburgring package.

The LFA and Corvette both laid down their times on a slightly slower version of Nordschleife - before parts of it were remodelled - but regardless, that’s an astonishing time for the 1LE.

Chevrolet says that the 1LE used for the record had its “suspension adjusted for optimal track performance,” and was running the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R “summer only” tyres that are fitted to the car as standard.

The 1LE doesn’t make any more power than the standard ZL1, but it’s able to be far quicker on track thanks to the fitting of adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers, those sticky Goodyears, and various aggressive aero pieces.

It’s yours for $69,995 (MSRP), but isn’t officially available in the UK. Boo.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

Just proves that manual is better

Absolutely not; It does not prove manual is better.

I don’t think the gearbox played a huge role on this. Did you notice the aero pack by any chance? No? Open your eyes.

…no

Can someone help me find the fucc I give? Not sure where I left it

not caring about nurburgring lap times? that’s not a new idea (cough james may cough)

So your telling me in a car race, between two track car, it’s irrevelent witch one is faster?

Incredible car, yet, such a shame the only place this kind of performance is possible is a serious racetrack.

Im obviously biased owning a ZR1, but if you watch the videos of ZR1 and 1LE side by side. The driver of 1LE is extremely talented and driving the nackers off this Camaro. Jim Mero in the ZR1 as much as he is a skilled driver his technique is way more sloppy and less refined. I would love to see what this mystery man in the 1LE would do in the C6 ZR1.

The ZR1 is and always will be an absolute beast and with prices depreciating gradually, it will become a performance bargain just as the C6 Z06 has become. Amazing cars and outperforms majority of anything in its class and way above.

I honestly don’t care. If I was buying one of these for the track, I don’t care about how fast a professional can get this thing around the Ring. I’d care about how fun it is to drive and how fast an ORDINARY track driver can get it.

same

But when buying a track car, that’s the first thing you look at, then you take the same car and try to mach it yourself, that’s how you train driving.