The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Technically Didn’t Break The Ford Mustang GTD’s Nürburgring Record — Here’s Why

There’s been a lot of American one-upsmanship going on in Germany over the past year.

First the Ford Mustang GTD set a new lap record for cars from U.S. brands last August at 6:57.685, then came back this April to lower it to 6:52.072.

Chevrolet followed that up this June by beating the Mustang GTD’s time with both the Corvette ZR1 and Corvette ZR1X at 6:50.763 and 6:49.275, respectively.

Ford CEO Jim Farley responded with congratulations and a challenging “game on” comment, suggesting there was more to come from the Blue Oval brand. It has now been backed up by the Ford SuperVan 4.2, which went around the 12.9-mile track nearly a second faster than the Corvette ZR1X at 6:48.393. That’s right a van beat a ‘vette.

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But not just any old cargo van. The SuperVan 4.2 is a 2,000 hp electric demonstration and track car that put down its time on racing slicks, while the Corvettes were production cars. Well, not technically.

A look at the Nürburgring’s official list of Record Drives list the Mustang GTD’s times under Sports Cars alongside various Porsches and Mercedes-Benzes, but not the Corvettes. You’ll find them listed under Prototypes/Pre-Production Vehicles instead. According to GM, that’s because the Corvette ZR1 and Corvette ZR1X are not sold in Europe, while the Mustang GTD is available there.

Ford’s first try was also with an early development version of the Mustang GTD, while the car used for the second run was closer to the production model. The Corvette ZR1X was very much a pre-production car as it will not be on sale until later this year.

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So, while there is no denying the Corvette ZR1X is faster than the Mustang GTD at the Nürburgring, Ford has this class win to fall back on for bragging rights anytime it wants. At least until Chevrolet starts selling the Corvette ZR1X in Europe, which has not yet been confirmed, and goes back to the ‘Ring for another run.