The Nürburgring Nordschleife doesn’t care the place a automotive is from, how a lot it prices, or what badge it wears. With 73 corners unfold throughout 12.9 unforgiving miles, it’s essentially the most trustworthy take a look at of a automotive’s whole efficiency. And the most recent instances from Chevrolet’s Corvette lineup make that painfully clear—particularly when contemplating how the BMW M4 CSL has been positioned as considered one of BMW’s most centered and succesful observe automobiles.
Chevrolet simply confirmed that its upcoming Corvette ZR1X laid down a 6:49.275 lap on the Nürburgring, making it the quickest lap ever recorded by a U.S.-built manufacturing automobile. Proper behind it was the 1,064-horsepower ZR1, which accomplished its lap in 6:50.763. However maybe essentially the most telling comparability comes from the naturally aspirated Corvette Z06, which managed a 7:11.826—over six seconds faster than BMW’s greatest.
As a result of the BMW M4 CSL, regardless of being the quickest manufacturing BMW across the Nordschleife, recorded a 7:18.137. And on paper, it’s straightforward to see why.
Uncooked Specs Inform the Story
Let’s break it down.
| Automobile | Nürburgring Lap Time | Engine | Horsepower | Drivetrain | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corvette ZR1X | 6:49.275 | Twin-turbo 5.5L DOHC flat-plane V8 | 1,250 hp | RWD | 3831 lbs |
| Corvette ZR1 | 6:50.763 | Twin-turbo 5.5L DOHC flat-plane V8 | 1,064 hp | RWD | 3,670 lbs |
| Corvette Z06 | 7:11.826 | Naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 | 670 hp | RWD | 3434 lbs |
| BMW M4 CSL | 7:18.137 | Twin-turbo 3.0L inline-6 | 543 hp | RWD | 3640 lbs |
The M4 CSL has lengthy been praised for its precision and composure. However these virtues don’t change physics. It offers up 127 horsepower to the Z06, over 500 hp to the ZR1, and greater than 700 horsepower to the ZR1X. That issues—particularly at a observe just like the Nürburgring, the place energy interprets on to time gained on the straights and uphill sections. Even weight isn’t on BMW’s aspect right here. The Z06, regardless of being bigger and mid-engined, is about 200 kilos lighter than the CSL. That benefit, mixed with sharper aerodynamics and a flat-plane crank V8 that revs to eight,600 rpm, makes it no shock that the Z06 pulled off a time that might’ve been headline information if it weren’t utterly overshadowed by the twin-turbo ZR1s.
What the Corvette ZR1 Nürburgring instances present is how a lot the efficiency bar has moved—particularly for American producers. BMW’s M division now finds its flagship coupe nonetheless over 6 seconds behind a naturally aspirated Z06. In fact, the M4 CSL isn’t meant to be an influence brute. It’s a meant to supply a steadiness between driving dynamics, steering really feel, and driver engagement. However in relation to lap instances—the factor automakers publish to show their engineering mettle—BMW’s greatest is behind. For now.
Earlier as we speak, BMW posted their very own report across the Nürburgring with the M3 CS Touring changing into the quickest touring across the Inexperienced Hell.
All These Data Go Underneath The “Prototype” Classification
Importantly, all three Corvettes had been pushed by GM engineers, not employed racing drivers, much like how BMW M runs their very own laps. These weren’t one-lap specials working on racing slicks both. Every automotive had U.S. manufacturing specs with security add-ons like a roll hoop, containment seat, hearth suppression, and a six-point harness. The rationale they’re formally listed beneath “prototype” is as a result of they’re not homologated on the market in Europe—not as a result of they had been pre-production in efficiency. The BMW M4 CSL’s lap was achieved with a inventory automotive on Michelin Cup 2 R tires.
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Nürburgring effort is spectacular, nonetheless. However BMW M4 CSL continues to be a formidable efficiency automobile, regardless of not being the quickest across the Ring. [Image: Chevrolet Newsroom]
