Official: Corvette Z06 Sets Nürburgring Nordschleife Lap in 7:11.826

Chevrolet made headlines by releasing an official on‑board video showing a factory‑prepared Corvette Z06 lapping the 20.832 km Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:11.826. Importantly, the car used was a U.S. production‑spec Z06 fitted with a Z07 aero package and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres. GM emphasised that the lap was completed by engineers, not professional racing drivers, underscoring the inherent performance of the production car.

The announcement forms part of a broader "Homegrown Speed" project in which GM attempted lap times for three C8 variants in a single visit—the Z06, ZR1 and track‑only ZR1X—making it the first automaker to do so. GM executives Mark Reuss and Ken Morris stated that the times reflect the synergy between Corvette's engineering team and its racing programmes, highlighting how technology developed for the Z06 GT3.R informs production vehicles.

For European readers, the Nürburgring remains a benchmark for high‑performance cars. The 7:11.826 lap positions the Z06 among the fastest road‑legal cars at the "Green Hell," strengthening Corvette's reputation in a region that prizes lap‑time bragging rights.