Zora_Vette

It has been a while since we talked about the Nurburgring time for the C8. The conversation came and went really quick after that one auto journalist guy apparently timed it, and then worded it very confusingly when he was talking about the "sub 7 minutes". Now that we finally have the reveal date, I was trying to figure out if that date was the date of any major events, or if there was any meaning to that date. That is now why I am wondering... could 7:18 be the Nurburgring time for the C8 or C8 Z51?
The C7 Z51 went 7:33.

Shrike6

It’s a stretch...

Zora_Vette

Agreed, but not impossible. Mid Engine, about 500 HP, DCT, hopefully lightweight, naturally aspirated V8.

KnightDriveTV

I wouldn't expect a low weight relative to the current Corvette. If you can assume that at 500-520hp, with a DCT, better handling overall and a similar curb weight, I'd figure low 7:20's but given GM's lack of interest in Nurburgring validation throughout C7, I'd think C8 will be more of the same...speculation and a whole lot of nothin.

hotrod_tim

If the C8 doesn't do it in under 7 that would be a MAJOR FAIL imo. Jim Mero just did it in a C7 ZR-1 at 7:04.
https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2019...-corvette-zr1/
This car has HUGE shoes to fill, not only the usual Corvette stuff but now going after the exotics. This is GM's chance to show everyone there serious and the BEST, this one needs to be the END ALL...... Ford quit trying, Dodge no chance, exotics watch out your now in check. Just wait til the Z06 or ZR-1 version comes out, GAME OVER. GOD forbid GM puts out a jazzed up Fiero or some weak sauce watered down version of what we've seen thus far and call it a Corvette..... lets face it GM has done this in the past with other cars and trucks, LAME.

JD_AMG

WTF are you talking about!?
Did the base C7 run quicker times than the C6 Z06 or C6 ZR1?
You expect the base model ~$60K, 500hp C8 to run under 7 minutes? The base and Z51 car were NEVER meant to go sub 7s, the top of the line model however would be the one to go for such a record. Expect the base/Z51 car to run somewhere between C7 Z51 and C7 GS times.

Foosh

Exactly, Porsche doesn't take base new 911 models to Nurburgring expecting to break records either.

sunsalem

I would think after the C7 and its infamous Nurburgring Times saga, no one around here would ever again use the words "Corvette" and "Nurburgring" in the same sentence.

KnightDriveTV

The base model isn't running no sub 7 minute, so ya'll better put that fantasy out of your mind asap.

Sub Driver

What do you mean by GM's lack of interest for C7 at the Ring? They brought every model there. They just never got the times they were after to justify publishing it. They were very much interested in getting Ring times.

Dominic Sorresso

Why the hell would they not have published a 7:04 time for the C7 ZR?? Yeah I’m really interested in the significance behind the 7.18.19 date. I don’t suspect its JUST a date of a reveal event. Thinking there’s something else behind it.

jefnvk

A 7:18 would put it slower than the Camaro ZL1, the current Z06, and the GTR. Even if were talking about a bone stock C8 base model, not exactly things you would want to advertise being slower than.

Zora_Vette

But look at what those cars are. The ZL1 1LE has a 650 HP LT4 and a lot of aero, the Z06 does as well, the GTR has over 600 HP and AWD.

JD_AMG

The Camaro ZL1 1LE is the top the line $70K track Camaro, the current $80K Z06 is well above the level of the base C8 Corvette (and should be), and the GTR you are referring to is a preproduction NISMO GTR that has a MSRP of $175K.

If the base/Z51 C8 were to run a 7:18 time, that would mean that it tied a $250K 997 GT2 RS, beat the C6 ZR1, and the Ferrari 488 GTB, among dozens of other significantly more expensive cars (even if the base price of the C8 is like $100K). It would also mean there is only about 20 other "production" (I use this loosely as some of the cars are hardly "production cars", and barley street legal) cars in existence that are quicker than this base, affordable Corvette that you can walk into your local Chevy dealer and buy (again going with the assumption of the $62K rumored MSRP - either way I think we know its going to be cheaper than a base 911 at least).

The C7 Z51 ran 7:33
The C7 GS ran 7:27
The current grand sport starts at $65k, so if the C8 comes out around that price and is significantly quicker around the track than the GS was then that is a winner in my opinion.

Rinaldo Catria

Besides only 500 hp, the brakes on the base C8 wouldnt likely be capable of a 7:18 either IMO. Weight is unlikely to be lighter than a C7, again IMO.

JockItch

I don't think you understand what the C8 is and will be. The C8 will surpass those numbers in due time, just not at release. The OP is talking about ring times for the base model/Z51.

sunsalem

I don't believe there is any super secret ring meaning to 7:18:19.
I doubt the significance is anything more than a date circled on GM's calendar....