The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette has returned to Germany’s famed testing ground,Nurburgring, and recorded lap times that rank among the fastest recorded for a production car. The 2012 Corvette ZR1 recorded a lap time of 7:19.63, more than six seconds faster than the previous Corvette-best recorded in 2008.

With some 154 turns, the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife (“north loop”) is widely considered the world’s most-demanding course. That’s why Chevrolet was determined to use the ‘Ring as the ultimate measuring stick for the updated 2012 Corvette.

“Testing at the Nurburgring is one of the important methods we have to validate our car in the toughest track conditions.” says Tadge Juechter, Corvette vehicle line director and chief engineer.

The 2012 model, which goes into production later this weekend, receives a number of updates including the new, optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, which are available on the two highest-performing models, the lightweight, 505-horsepower Z06 and the maximum-performance, 638-horsepower supercharged ZR1.

These updates may sound modest, but engineers believe that the updates yield an 8-percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration, to more than 1.1g, and improved braking distance.

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