American manufacturers, GM in particular, are certainly taking this whole Nurburgring malarkey seriously.

First the Dodge Viper ACR, then the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and now the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 have all set lap times around the Green Hell that only a few years ago would have been the preserve of mega-dollar exotica.

To put the new Camaro ZL1’s 7min29.6sec effort in perspective, it’s a similar time to the likes of the Porsche Carrera GT and the Nissan GT-R’s 2008 time that caused such a stir between itself and Porsche.

Chevrolet reveals Camaro ZL1 main

Then again, that automatic is part of the secret to the Camaro’s success, as the ZL1 is equipped with GM’s new 10-speed auto.

Chevrolet reveals camaro zl1 automatic

Other Camaro highlights are Magnetic Ride dampers like those in the HSV GTS, huge Brembo brakes and massive Goodyear tyres measuring 285/30 ZR20 at the front and 305/30 ZR20 ar the rear.

Chevrolet reveals camaro zl1 rear