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The Nürburgring, or the Green Hell as some racing fans call it, serves as something of a benchmark for manufacturers to test their fastest, nastiest vehicular offerings. Even American marques like Dodge, Chevrolet, and Ford send vehicles to the lengthy, challenging German circuit for testing. Here are some of the fastest American cars around the Nürburgring, like the Dodge Viper ACR.

  • 2017 Dodge Viper ACR– 7:01.3
  • 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1– 7:04
  • 2010 Dodge Viper ACR– 7:12.13
  • 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Z06– 7:13.90
  • 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE– 7:16.04
  • Honorable Mention: Tesla Model S Plaid– 7:30:909

How fast is a 2017 Dodge Viper ACR?

Dodge set out to break the 7:00.0 barrier with its swansong Viper ACR. While the track-focused serpent failed to beat that performance goal, it wasn’t far off. The 2017 Dodge Viper ACR managed a 7:01.3 around the famed German track. That is seriously swift. 

How much does a 2019 Corvette ZR1 cost? 

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was the automaker’s final and fastest front-engine Corvette, with a price tag to match. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the ZR1 has a typical listing price of around $167,335 with 23,293 miles on the odometer. Still, that steep price secures one of the fastest American production cars ever to lap the Nürburgring. The super-Vette used its 755-horsepower supercharged V8 to muscle its way around the track in just seven minutes and four seconds. 

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the Nürburgring-slaying swansong C7 Corvette and one of the fastest American cars around the circuit.
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 | Andrew Harrer, Bloomberg via Getty Images

Is the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR one of the fastest American cars around the Nürburgring?

Low seven-minute ranges on the Green Hell is an accomplishment, especially for a car from 2010. The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR is still one of the fastest American cars around the Nürburgring, with its blistering 7:12.13 lap. According to Road & Track, the 2010 ACR’s lap set a production car record at the time of its test. 

The Dodge Viper ACR is one of the fastest American cars around the Nürburgring.
Dodge Viper ACR | Martyn Lucy, Getty Images

How fast is a 2017 Corvette Z06?

The C7 generation Chevrolet Corvette is a serious performance bargain. The naturally-aspirated C7 with a Z51 performance package could sprint to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. However, the supercharged C7 Z06 is one of the fastest American cars ever to take on the Green Hell. With its supercharged 6.2L V8, the ZR1 set the fastest time Chevrolet had ever coaxed out of a Corvette up to that point: a 7:13.90. 

That’s no easy feat with the Nürburgring’s demanding corners, changes in elevation, and excruciating length. 

Is the 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE one of the fastest American cars around the Nürburgring?

Here’s where things get wild; on a list with non-stop Vipers and Corvettes, a track-focused muscle car steals a spot. While that may seem improbable, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is the fastest, sharpest Camaro the marque ever made. Better yet, Chevy’s aero efforts paid off; the 2017 ZL1 1LE managed to smash its way around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 7:16.04. 

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a track-focused Camaro.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | General Motors

Honorable Mention: Tesla Model S Plaid

The Tesla Model S might not have Viper or Corvette credentials, but it certainly earns a mention. With over 1,000 horsepower, the Plaid edition is a four-door electric vehicle (EV) with considerable weight and no business being as agile as it is. Frankly, with a time of 7:30:909, Autoexpress says the big, hefty EV was within striking distance of a BMW M5 CS. 

Scroll down to the following article to read more about the fastest American cars and other fast vehicles!

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