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TESLA, BMW RUIN 2023 CORVETTE Z06 NURBURGRING LAP

Two Crashes On The Track Stayed The C8 Z06 From Achieving Its Projected Sub 7-Minute Lap Time

2023 Corvette Z06 C8 Chevrolet GM General Motors Nurburgring Lap Time Video

The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 can clip the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife in a scant 6:55. And considering all of the benchmark testing GM did against Porsche during the development of the 2023 Corvette Z06, we like to believe that lap time is on Tadge’s bathroom mirror when he wakes up in the morning. The Corvette team is currently in Germany with other automakers for two weeks of industry pool testing, but the clock is ticking on getting the C8 Z06 to get a clean lap around The Green Hell. We reported yesterday that the new Z06 breaking into the six-minute range would be a “significant achievement,” but everything has to go right. Including a clear track. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen earlier this week.

2023 C8 Corvette Z06 Nurburgring Lap

Tesla, BMW Crashes Call Off 2023 Corvette Z06 Hot Lap

According to Road & Track, a BMW M8 prototype decided to marry itself with a barrier on the Kesselchen sector, rolling at least once and leveling a large section of the armco. On the same lap, just up ahead, a Tesla Model S Plaid also found itself into the wall at the Klostertal sector. Both drivers lived and are expected to be relatively uninjured. Needless to say, the session was red-flagged.

The Nürburgring crashes from both the BMW M8 and the Tesla Model S Plaid required extensive and immediate repairs to the barriers, and vacuumed up the two-hour window that the 2023 Corvette Z06 had to lap the track.

Likely The Only Shot All Year For The Corvette Team

Industry pool testing takes place only 18 weeks over the course of a year at the Nurburgring, giving automakers exclusive access to the Nordschleife. And 30 OEMs currently participate in pool testing, GM being one of them. However, The General normally shows up just two of those 18 weeks. And if the team can’t get a clean lap, that’s it.

Considering that the 2023 Corvette Z06 has been spotted testing there since early last week, it’s a safe assumption that Tadge Jeuchter and his crew of engineers will be boarding a flight back to Detroit by the weekend. To make things even more frustrating, the weather at the ‘Ring calls for rain on Friday.

Over the years, luck hasn’t exactly been on the Corvette’s side. The C7 generation was never able to have that ever-so-perfect day where the weather was dry, the track was clear, and nobody crashed. Even the 755 hp C7 Corvette ZR1, which landed a respectable 7:04, is said to have a theoretical (segmented) lap time around 10 seconds faster.

The Corvette Curse may not be lifted just yet.

2023 Corvette C8 Z06 Logo
2023 Corvette Z06 Logo. Image via Chevrolet.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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