Chevrolet revealed 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 car at Nurburgring

Chevrolet has revealed 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 car at world famous testing ground Nurburgring in Germany.

The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 car is powered with supercharged 6.2L V8 engine system with 638 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque. The car has recorded a lap time of 7:19.63 more than six seconds faster than previous Corvette best recorded in 2008.

The2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 car features new, optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, which are available on two highest performing models, lightweight, 505-hp Z06 and maximum performance, 638-hp supercharged ZR1. They are competition oriented tires, optimized for warm, dry conditions to increase cornering and handling capability.

The2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 car has Corvette exclusive Performance Traction Management technology which manages torque delivery for maximum performance. The tires set new benchmarks for Corvette performance. The engineers estimate 8% gain in maximum lateral acceleration, to more than 1.1g and improved braking distance.

BMW 1-Series M Coupe Allegedly Laps the Nürburgring in 8:12" Making it Faster than E46 M3

The BMW 1-Series M Coupe is pretty fast on paper. Reaching the 60 mph (96 km/h) mark in just 4.7 seconds is no small feat, but nowadays, it seems that performance cars need to have a respectable “Ring” time under there belt to command respect. Now, a forum member of the 1Addicts fan site who calls himself "SteveD" claims that the Ring time for the 335-horsepower strong M model is 8 minutes and 12 seconds.

If true (and according to the Nürburgring lap times list posted on Wikipedia), this means the entry-level M model is 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3, on par with the E86 Z4 M Coupe, but 7 seconds slower than the E92 M3 .

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Back to the Future: Formula One Racecar Lapping the Nürburgring Circuit in 1967

The Nürburgring circuit is called “The Green Hell” for a good reason. Measuring 24.4 km (15.2 miles) in today’s combined version that uses a part of the Formula 1 track, it’s not an easy circuit to master. Complete a fast lap was even more difficult in the late ’60, when Formula 1 was nowhere near the high-tech parade it represents now. Back then, fearless drivers raced cars with skinny tires that had very few, if any safety features and weren't exactly easy to drive.

Check out the video after the break to see 1967 Formula 1 car running the Green Hell. At the time, the Nordschleife measured 22.8 km (14.2 miles) and had 174 turns.

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Real Life Red Bull X1 to be Shown at GT5 Launch Party in Madrid

We were quite impressed with the virtual Red Bull X1 Prototype, the fastest car in the upcoming fifth installment of the Gran Turismo series. This time, Evo Magazine reveals that Red Bull has decided to build a scale model, which will be shown at the GT5 launch party in Madrid, in a few weeks time.

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VIDEO: Red Bull X1 is the Fastest Car in Gran Turismo 5

The Red Bull X1 will be the fastest car in Sony's forthcoming Gran Turismo 5 - that is, if the game ever comes out… To prove this, Sebastian Vettel was asked to do a lap of the Nürburgring race track. As you'd expect, it was done in record time and you can witness it by watching the video after the break.

This is all fine and dandy, but the X1 doesn't exist in real life. However, the science behind it is very real, so, if it were to be built, it would be the fastest vehicle on Earth. Let's check out some [virtual] facts and numbers.

On paper, the X1 measures 0.98 m (38.58 inches) tall, 2.18 m (85.82 inches) wide and 4.75m (187 inches) long - or about the same length as an average family sedan.

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VIDEO: 1970 Dodge Challenger Taken to Triple-Digit Speeds on the Autobahn

Now here's a dream come true: taking an old-school muscle car - in this case, a black 1970 Dodge Challenger - out on the Autobahn and winding it out. This bad-to-the-bone vintage ride appears to have been lightly modified or restored so as to not rattle to pieces, although there's no way of knowing for sure until the owner drops us a line (do it, 66PaleRider).

Whoever the driver is, there's no denying that the long-haired fiend has got a pair; pushing old muscle up to 130+ mph in any instance has been known to get a little shaky. The last time yours truly tried such a feat in the old Stang, I recall a trail of white smoke about a mile long and desperately seeking an off ramp (but man was it fun).

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SPY VIDEO: 2011 Toyota FT86 - Subaru Prototype Captured on the Nurburgring

The oddly shaped coupe covered in layers of metal and camouflage tape that you see in this spy video undergoing tests at the Nurburgring race track is none other than a test mule for the upcoming Toyota / Subaru co-developed rear-wheel drive sport coupes. Understandably, there's no way of knowing if it's a prototype for the Toyota-badged model that will be previewed at this week's Tokyo Motor Show with the FT-86 Concept or for Subaru's derivative that has yet to be revealed or even named.

Not that it matters as both compact sport coupes will share the same mechanical underpinnings including a modified version of Subaru's 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine said (but not officially confirmed) to produce up to 200HP.

Both the Subaru and Toyota variants of the rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe are to be produced in Japan at Subaru's Gunma factory with the first examples due to arrive in the market in late 2011.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Ft86club

VIDEO: Renault's F1 Pilot Romain Grosjean Hot-Laps the 'Ring in 2010 Megane RenaultSport 250

We know that many of you -well, at least those living on the other side of the pond- are quite excited about Renault's new 2010 Megane RenaultSport 250, so we got hold of this freshly released video that shows the French automaker's F1 pilot, Romain Grosjean, driving the car at the Nurburgring circuit. Building on the company's growing presence in the hot-hatch market, the Megane RS features a 250HP 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with power being delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Watch the RS at the Green Hell after the break.

Laguna Seca Becomes World’s first Circuit Available on Google Street View, Check it out Here

Fancy taking a interactive tour of the Laguna Seca race circuit from the perspective of a race car participating in the final leg of the 2008 American Le Mans Series? Well, then you'll be pleased to know that famous California raceway with its 11 curves, a length of 3.6 km or 2.2 miles and an elevation change of 91 metres or 300 feet, can now be viewed from your PC. According to Mazda, the raceway's main sponsor, the Laguna Seca is the first racing circuit in the world to be available on Google Street View. Follow the jump to take a virtual run of the track.

Nissan's GT-R Nurburgring Race Track Fire Fighter

Meet the world's fastest fire fighting vehicle: Nissan's specially modified GT-R that takes up role as an emergency response vehicle at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany The fire-fighting GT-R is a gift from Nissan to the Nurburgring operator and it was created in collaboration with M&M Automotive, a Bonn-based specialist for car development and motor sports. While the mechanical hardware remain intact, the GT-R's rear seats were removed and replaced with a 50-liter water tank secured with a roll cage.

The 485-horsepower sports car also gets a medium-pressure extinguisher system (20 bars) as well as a winding device for the hose while an additional radio communication system and a new set of Recaro sports seats complete the upgrades. The manufacturer claims that with a foam reach of around 18 meters and a 20-metre hose, the unit will be able to fight fire for around two minutes on a single tank.

Even though the extra equipment added 200 kg or approx 440 pounds to the coupe's weight, Nissan supports that the GT-R can still lap the Nurburgring circuit in less than 8 minutes. The standard model has recorded a lap time of the Nordschleife circuit of 7 minutes and 26.70 seconds.

VIDEO: Ford Focus RS 305HP Laps the 'Ring in 8:26 minutes

It is Ford's time to share a video of one of its cars lapping one of the world's most difficult circuits, the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The vehicle is none other than Ford's fastest-ever European production model, the new Focus RS. Driven by Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch, Chief editor of the German magazine Sport-Auto and well known Nurburgring racer, the Focus RS completed the 13 mile-long course in 8 minutes and 26 seconds, almost half a minute faster than the 225HP Focus ST (8:51 minutes by Sport-Auto in 2005).

The European market Focus RS packs a 300 horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels. The hot hatch accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.9 sec and on to a top speed of 263 km/h (163mph). Along with the standard video, Ford and Sport-Auto also released a so-called, 'alternative-cut' version of the film.

Ferrari Opens Dedicated Store at the Nurburgring Circuit

Following in the footsteps of other automakers such as Nissan and Aston Martin, Ferrari has opened a new dedicated store at the Nurburgring race track. The 240 square meter Ferrari Store which happens to be the Italian firm's first shop in Germany, offers a wide variety of products from the Prancing Horse ranges for GT car customers as well as for enthusiasts while there's also a special lounge area for meetings and a relaxation area directly overlooking the circuit itself.

And if you have been wondering why so many makers have been opening stores lately at the 'Ring, the plan is to turn the world famous circuit into an all-year round "leisure and business center" - something like a 'Disney World' for car aficionados. For this reason, a great number of buildings are being added around the course including a dedicated shopping boulevard, an events and conference center and of course, hotels.

Porsche Panamera Turbo Allegedly Laps the Nurburgring in 7:56 , Beats the CTS-V by 3 Sec

If the report on German magazine Sportauto is true and rally legend and Porsche test driver, Walter Röhrl, did indeed lap the Nordschleife track in 7 minutes and 56 seconds with the new Panamera Turbo, then there goes Cadillac's claim for having the fastest sedan on the block. We remind you that the 556HP CTS-V's 7:59.32 run of the Nurburgring Nordschleife in May 2008, was thought to be the fastest-ever lap time for a production sedan.

To refresh your memory, the Turbo is the fastest and most powerful version in the Panamera range. Fitted with Porsche's all-wheel drive system as standard, it is powered by a 4.8-liter turbocharged V8 that makes 500HP at 6,000 rpm and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft of torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm (770Nm or 567 lb-ft with overboost in conjunction with the Sports Chrono pack).

The Panamera Turbo reaches 100km/h (62mph) from rest in 4.2 sec or 4.0 sec with the Sports Chrono package, and can go on to a top speed of 303km/h or 188mph.

Aside from stirring fiery conversations on forum boards and websites as well as offering Porsche some bragging rights, we can't see any other use for these lap time records. Our opinion is that, as in the case of the Nissan GT-R and the Corvette ZR1, the Nordschleife lap times shouldn't be taken seriously by the majority of people that are actually interested in buying of one of these cars.

Via: Sportauto , Hat tip to Marcus!

Nissan 370Z Nurburgring Edition: Found at Nissan's New Sportscar Shop at the 'Ring

It took us more time than usual, but what matters is that we finally managed to discover an example of Nissan's 370Z Nurburgring Edition that is offered exclusively in the German market in a limited run of 80 units. The special edition Z is pictured here alongside the standard GT-R and its hardcore sibling, the V-Spec model at Nissan's brand new Sportscar Shop at the Nurburgring.

The Japanese firm's newly found 500-square meter store that's packed with official merchandise from Nissan and it's motorsport division, Nismo, opened its doors to the public for the first time today, Thursday, July 9.

Not to be confused with the UK market 370Z Yellow Edition, the Nurburgring Edition comes in a 'Premium Ultimate Yellow' color with contrasting black graphics (somewhat more discreet than those of the British model) that are positioned just above the side skirts.

Each Nurburgring 370Z receives a new set of 19-inch OZ alloy wheels in a gunmetal finish that are wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT rubber (255/40 R19 at the front, 285/35 R19 at the back), a performance Cobra exhaust system and a numbered plaque.

But that's about it as Nissan did not tamper with the 370Z's 3.7-liter V6 engine that continues to produce 331 'ponies' which are channeled to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

The base price for the special edition 370Z is €50,400 or approximately $70k at the current exchange rates between the Euro and the USD with Nissan offering buyers a €150 gift card to spend at its it Nurburgring shop.

VIDEO: 2010 Nissan GT-R's 7:26.70 Record Lap Time at the Nurburgring

We always enjoy watching cars lapping the Nurburgring's famous Nordschleife circuit but it's even better when you get the chance to see a supercar like the Nissan GT-R. This video, which was shot with an inboard camera, is from the 2010 GT-R's latest record breaking lap time of 7min 26.70 seconds that was achieved on April 23, 2009. The driver behind the steering wheel is Nissan's Chief test driver, Toshio Suzuki.

The Nissan GT-R's previous recorded lap times at the 'Ring' were:

• 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009
  
• 7 minutes 29 in April 2008
  
• 7 minutes 38 in September 2007

2010 Alfa Romeo Milano - 149 Hatchback Spied Testing on the Nurburgring

Our spies have captured a masked prototype of the Alfa Romeo Milano, previously known as the 149, running tests at the Nurburgring race track in Germany. The Golf-sized premium hatchback will replace the aging 147 that has been around since 2000 having received a mid-life facelift in 2004. Rivaling the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series hatch, the Milano uses the Fiat Group's new C-Evo medium car platform that is said to underpin an array of future Chrysler Group models.

The extensive cladding on the prototype cannot hide the familiar styling traits from Alfa Romeo's latest generation models and especially the curvalicious front end with the circular headlamps inspired from the MiTo and the 8C Competizione.

The spy photos suggest that the Milano will get a steeply raked roofline and a more unique treatment for the rear-end, though expect to see circular LED tail-lamps similar in design to the ones found on the MiTo.

When the Milano begins to arrive at Alfa Romeo's European dealerships sometime in the second half of 2010, the five-door hatchback will most likely be offered with the Fiat Group's 1.4-liter and 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines producing between 120HP and 200HP+. The range will also include a variety of turbo diesels.

Expect to see Alfa releasing sportier Ti variants with cosmetic and suspension upgrades while rumor has it that the Italians are also considering a range-topping GTA model, though we must point out that the same was said about the 159 and Alfa has yet to reveal its S4 challenger.

The official presentation of the Milano could take place as early as the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but chances are that Alfa will probably wait for the Geneva Show in March 2010. It remains to be seen if the Alfa Romeo Milano makes its way to the States after the Fiat Group's tie up with Chrysler.