Dodge Viper ACR topples ZR1 at the Ring
August 28, 2008 by George Skentzos
Another week and another manufacturer is claiming to have conquered the Nürburgring, toppling the Nissan GT-R and current champ, the Corvette ZR1.
With FIA World Touring Car Championship driver Tom Coronel behind the wheel, Dodge has claimed victory in a time of 7:22.1 using its absolutely insane Viper ACR.
The Viper ACR used in the record breaking lap was completely standard except for a Racetech seat with a six-point race harness for added safety.
However those familiar with the Viper ACR will know ’stock’ is a term used very loosely when associated with this absolute weapon which treats the phrase “road-going” as a challenge in engineering limits.
Especially when the box marked ‘Hard Core Package’ is ticked – a no cost option which cuts almost 20kg off the curb weight.
Only about 10 percent of ACR buyers are insane enough to tick this box, blatantly boasting they think the car isn’t fast enough. It deletes the audio system, trunk carpet, rear cabin sound insulation, tire inflator kit, hood insulator, and steel battery cover.
Coronel’s first two laps were far from promising – a 7:42 and 7:35, until you realise it was his first time behind the wheel of the Viper ACR.
Coronel’s feedback from his first two laps led engineers to stiffen the front dampers for both compression and rebound and the rear dampers for compression.
The adjustable rear wing was also slightly revised while the front splitter stayed at its initial setting as did the ride height – told you this was no ordinary car.
Source: MotorTrend Photography: Charlie Magee
Print it: 
Not sure that the claim above about Tom Coronel is correct. ;)
Whoops, slightly distracted, first time in the car not the track – all fixed.
If the above figures are correct then 2 of the 3 quickest times around the ‘ring in road cars has been set by the Americans using their large capacity engines.
I suppose it proves the old maxim – there’s no replacement for displacement!
Deafening silence from the European corner….
Yeah the Yanks are good at doing brute force.LOL
480HP Mopar Monster!
Go the American muscle!
@Millatime, yes, clearly a bit disconcerting for ze Chermans no doubt.
CarAdvice, the video is on PressPortal.com.au :s
Mind you the the Zr1 is ’supercharged’ so the term doesnt count to that one, one has to be pure, which the ACR is…
Nows its twiddling thumbs time to see what the vspec can achieve which is more targeted to these cars than the standard GTR is as its just full-o-gadgets.
Thanks Derik, YouTube video wasn’t available at the time this article was published.
It amazes me when these companies brag about how quick they can do a flying lap around Nürburgring. What I would want to know is there average lap time over 10 laps. But at a guess I believe they would run out of brakes by lap 4. These type of articles are so yesterday it’s not funny.
It’s like the guy who brags about how big it is and then it’s all over in 7 minutes.
Well you could say that over a 10 lap race, the ZR1 would be significantly ahead of the GTR with its fade resistant ceramic brakes, that’s for sure.
Don’t care what the technophile jap fanboys or the snobby euro fans say, that car is freekin cool!
On a sidenote, merceedes woke up to this big cube motor bizo a couple of years ago when they replaced their AMG supercharged V8 with the absolutely stupid 6.3ltr AMG V8 that is one of the most brilliant engines on the planet. I still think this engine and the supercharged ZR1 GM V8 edge it out though in the cool stakes!!
The ZR1 and this viper ACR are not even on the same class as the GTR or the Porsche 911 (that the GTR was benchmarked with).
I like the ZR1, looks wise and power wise. But the car is a racing tuned Corvette Z06. It retails for $110K USD.
The GTR is to retail or retailing at average 70K USD.
This ACR, is a “beasty” version of the Viper, racing spec and all. Would be in the same price range as the ZR1.
The vspec GTR, is still a lot cheaper than both cars will be a better comp.
Better yet, a Mine’s tuned GTR will be a FAIR comparison. And I’m betting a lot a of money that Mine can crank out top notch figures when they do.
Compare in context I think..
James its fair to compare these cars to the GTR because they have all gone out to have the best lap time around the ring for a production car. Yes the ACR is a racers special, but so is the GT3 RS and no-one ever complained about the times it did.
I suprised that the driver and the car made it back in one piece.
I’m sure someone forgot a bolt on the gearbox!-The car sounded like it wanted to break apart-being American and all.What a piece of fast junk!
i woulnd worry so much, by lap 10 there woulnd be much car left as pieces of the car would just fall off after every lap
With 10 laps around the Ring, and such big displacement for the Viper, how many times would it need to refuel? Loss time in refueling might be its downfall.
Glen, not really, Nissan knows that the GTR its not ats its best though, thats where the Vspec comes in, its more tuned for performance like the ACR and ZR1 are. so its more apples with apples this time round.
The GTR shows that the lowest spec can already outpace can a Dodge viper base model or even SRT10 or a Vette C06 say the same thing?
Nethertheless ACR and ZR1 are awesome cars no doubt. This leaves the Germans to give a response on what will topple the US/Jap top 3.
unless im mistaken, the standard GTR had the goal of beating the 911 and not setting a record at the ring. i think the vspec is aiming for that.
Edd – I think you\’re right. Their sights were set for the 911 Turbo which they have do very well and considering the price it is a real bargain!
Let\’s hope V-spec makes things more interesting with weight reduction, more power and hardcore racing bits =D