The all-new (and Australia-bound) Chevrolet Corvette has set a top-secret Nurburgring lap time. The only problem is they won't tell us what it is.
According to US media reports, the C8 was in Germany for a proper 'Ring shakedown in July this year, with Corvette racing driver Oliver Gavin set a flying lap of the world's most infamous race circuit.
And the time he posted? Well that's something of a mystery. Though it does sound as though it was brisk, given the brand's US-based PR team suggests it's keeping the number up its sleeve for a future announcement.
That's the word from Corvette engineer Mike Petrucci, who told US outlet Motor Authority that the C8 set its lap time in mid-July, just ahead of the car's official unveiling.
And while Petrucci wouldn't spill on the offical time, he reportedly confirmed the mid-engined beast had outperformed their expectations. Given the Stingray's mid-mounted, 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 produces 370kW and 640Nm, we're tipping it was brisk.
For the record, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ holds the current 'Ring record, with a scorching 6:44.97s lap time. It's followed by the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (6:47.3s) and the Lamborghini Huracan Performante (6:52:01s).
How close did the Corvette get to that illustrious podium? Only time will tell.
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold.
But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul.
And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard.
When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House.
But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others.
More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
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