Even though the accuracy of Nurburgring records has been debunked ad nauseaum, the low-IQ crowd still seems to take some stock in their veracity – or maybe they just need a lot of visual stimulation. Either way, the Dodge Viper ACR has apparently set a new lap record for the Nurburgring, and there exists video “proof” of this miraculous non-event.

The Viper Club of America has pandered to these folks by releasing video of the event (below the jump) which is really not all that exciting – although we do get some cool V10 sounds towards the end. Nonetheless, the slick production should hopefully convince any holdouts that these Nurburgring lap time runs are just contrived marketing ploys and nothing more.

Hit the jump to watch the video of the Dodge Viper ACR Nurburgring Lap Record

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Just a week after Lexus confirmed its LFA Nurburgring Edition had set a new lap record on the Green Hell, Dodge has one-upped the Japanese automaker. With a 7:12 time, the now out of production ACR’s time is a solid two seconds ahead of the $400,000 LFA supercar.

With a 32-hp advantage on the LFA, the Viper ACR’s real strong points are excessive amounts of torque and a nearly absurd spoiler that provides race car like downforce at speed.

In addition to this news, Dodge also reportedly ran a Viper ACR-X track car on the ‘Ring, lapping almost 10 seconds faster than the standard car with a 7:03 run.

[Source: Jalopnik]

As a way to keep the Viper name in the spotlight until the next model arrives, Dodge is spending the summer hunting down as many track records as possible with its now-retired halo performance car.

Called the Viper Record Tour ’11, Dodge has already taken its hard-core ACR street-legal track machine to New Jersey Motorsports Park and Sebring International Raceway and reportedly has plans to claim two more lap records at both Texas World Speedway and Daytona. No details have been provided on who the driver is, but Kumo Wittmer, who drives a Viper Cup Car in the SCCA World Challenge series, is tipped to be a pilot for several of the runs. Whitmer, it should be noted, already set the production lap record in the Viper ACR at Miller Motorsports Park.

Perhaps most exciting, however, is word that the ACR may be headed back to to the Nurburgring in search of the lap record there. A Viper ACR did hold the record there in the past, but has since been surpassed by both the Porsche GT2 RS and the the 2012 Corvette ZR1.

[Source: MotorTrend]

Hit the jump to watch the recently released New Jersey and Sebring record runs:

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Last week we reported the news of Kuno Wittmer setting a new lap record at Miller Motorsports Park in a Dodge Viper ACR and now we get to witness it through the beauty of two synchronized cameras. The record-setting lap time, which was just barely shy of 2-minutes (1 minute 59.995 seconds) was close to four seconds faster than the previous record time in a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

What is amazing to watch is the ease at which Wittmer pilots the ACR through the course on its way to a record-setting lap. It’s obvious in the video just how well-tuned the Viper ACR is and how balanced of a machine it is on the track. The video features an in-car camera that has been synchronized with video footage of the track, which really gives a great sense of the speed that Wittmer was sustaining throughout the course.

Check out the video after the jump.

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The Dodge Viper ACR does it again. On Monday, April 11, Kuno Wittmer drove a production spec ACR to a new lap record at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah; in the process breaking the 2-minute mark for the very first time.

Running on Miller’s 3.048 mile outer course; Wittmer crossed the finish line in just 1 minute 59.995 seconds; pulverizing the previous lap record set by Jan Magnussen in a Corvette ZR1 (Magnussen’s best was 2.03.86 – almost a full four seconds slower!).

Although having already spent much time driving Viper ACRs; Montreal native Wittmer continues to be impressed by the car’s capability. After his record-setting escapade, he remarked, “the [Viper ACR] is such a blast to drive at the limit and I can honestly say I didn’t leave an inch out there on the track and was barely braking in the corners!”

Wittmer’s latest record, joins a growing list of accomplishments for the Viper ACR, which so far include track records at Laguna Seca and the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife (since surpassed), where Dutch driver Tom Coronel piloted one to a lap time of just 7 minutes 22 seconds!

If there were ever an automotive/firearms tie in that was appropriate, this is it. A Missouri Dodge dealer is offering customers a free Barret .50 sniper rifle upon purchase of a 2010 Dodge Viper ACR.

Both machines are capable of deadly force, and represent the last word in American excess. While the Viper ACR is one of the most potent road cars on the planet, the Barret is routinely used to disable armored vehicles in war zones. Looks like it’s a dead heat in the awesome sweepstakes.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Dodge head honcho Ralph Gilles took a brand new Viper ACR-X around Virginia International Raceway not long ago, and decided to film his exploits.

With Powertrain Communications Manager Nick Cappa as his passenger/videographer, Gilles managed to hit a peak speed of 165 mph and turn a 1 minute, 35 second lap time. The ACR-X sheds 160 pounds and gains 40 horsepower over the “normal” ACR (for a total of 640 horsepower), making it one seriously quick machine.

[Source: TopSpeed]

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The mystery of the Dodge Viper LA Auto Show world premiere has been solved, with the automaker announcing it will debut a revised version of its ACR model. With just a few minor tweaks, the 2010 ACR also lays claim to the production car lap record at Laguna Seca Raceway.

In 2008 pro-driver Randy Pobst set the record with the ACR running a 1:35.117, which stood until August 6 of this year when it was trumped by the Viper-based Devon GTX with a 1:35.075 time. As of today, the new 2010 ACR has reclaimed the record with a new lap record of 1:33.915.

The car was driven by SRT engineer Chris Winkler who said that, “It was definitely exciting but a somewhat uneventful lap overall from behind the steering wheel. The Dodge Viper ACR has amazing power and handles like a dream, so following my first practice here last month, I came away pretty confident that we’d be able to set a new record.”

That’s right, Winkler set the record having only ever having driven on the track once before.

Additions to the 2010 model include a shorter fifth-gear ratio of 0.80 from 0.74, as well as a short throw shifter, and a new rear wing design. The car now also gains 4 mph on the top with a new top speed of 184 mph. The shorter fifth-gear came as the direct result of testing on the Nürburgring when the ACR set the (then) production car lap record in 2008.

“I’m still amazed with what the Dodge Viper can do on and off the race track,” said Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles. “After our record-setting lap at the Nürburgring circuit, we’re excited to set a second performance benchmark record at another world-famous road course.”

Gilles also gave Viper aficionados hope saying that Dodge is, “investigating what the next-generation Viper is going to be. When we have partners across the ocean who are known as the best sports carmakers in the world, the future opportunities are huge.”

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

GALLERY: 2010 Dodge Viper ACR

Official release and a brief video about the record setting lap after the jump:

Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Recaptures Lap Record At Laguna Seca

Street-Legal, Production Supercar Sets New Mark

Monterey, Calif. , Nov 24, 2009 -

The Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team from Chrysler Group LLC arrived at Laguna Seca raceway today on a mission – to recapture the production car lap record at the world-renowned road course in Monterey, Calif.

Mission accomplished.

Chris Winkler, an SRT vehicle dynamics engineer piloted a black and red 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) to a lap record of 1:33.915 as recorded by Motech in-vehicle data recorder (1:33.944 – as unofficially recorded by trackside clock) around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course, shattering the previous lap record by more than 1.1 seconds.

“It was definitely exciting but a somewhat uneventful lap overall from behind the steering wheel,” said Winkler, who is still learning the intricate details of Laguna Seca raceway, having spent only one other session on the course. “The Dodge Viper ACR has amazing power and handles like a dream, so following my first practice here last month, I came away pretty confident that we’d be able to set a new record.”

In 2008, professional road racer Randy Pobst, drove a 2008 Dodge Viper ACR to a one-lap, production car record of 1:35.117 at Laguna Seca raceway while working with Motor Trend. That record stood until August 6, 2009 when the most recent record of 1:35.075 was established by a one-off exotic prototype.

Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand and Senior Vice President, Product Design Office, Chrysler Group LLC, was impressed with the Viper’s performance. “I’ve been closely tied to this car my entire career and even after owning one myself for some time, I’m still amazed with what the Dodge Viper can do on and off the race track,” Gilles said. “After our record-setting lap at the Nürburgring circuit, we’re excited to set a second performance benchmark record at another world-famous road course.”

The Dodge Viper is going into the final year of production for the current-generation model. Approximately 500 Vipers will be produced in 2010.

“We’re going to keep Dodge’s performance icon alive and well by not only producing some of the most special Vipers ever built, but we’re also investigating what the next-generation Viper is going to be,” added Gilles. “When we have partners across the ocean who are known as the best sports carmakers in the world, the future opportunities are huge.”

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR
The Dodge Viper ACR remains the ultimate purpose-built, street-legal track car since its introduction in 2008.
New for the 2010 model year is a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds. This improvement is a direct result of SRT’s experience at the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany where during the lap-record run in 2008, it was found that a revised gear ratio would have resulted in a higher speed capability and potentially a shorter elapsed time.

The Dodge Viper ACR also receives a new short-throw shifter in 2010 for enhanced driver experience and better performance. The rear wing profile and end plates are redesigned to further optimize the vehicle aerodynamics and improve rear yaw downforce. These changes result in an increase in top speed of 4 mph (to 184 mph).

Powered by the venerable 8.4-liter, V-10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque, the Dodge Viper ACR continues to offer extreme performance, including 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat.

The Dodge Viper ACR with optional Hard Core Package is more than 80 lbs. lighter than the production SRT10 and offers race-ready hardware and competition tuning for optimal on-track performance.

The four-wheel independent suspension features high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, KW suspension with two-way adjustable competition coil-over shock absorbers with remote reservoirs.

The aerodynamic package features a carbon fiber “fanged” splitter in front and adjustable carbon-fiber wing with seven-position stanchions that allow up to an amazing 1,000 lbs. of downforce at 150 mph. Lightweight wheels, two-piece slotted StopTech brake rotors and Michelin PS Cup tires round out the Dodge Viper ACR package.

The 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR will make its worldwide auto show debut on Dec. 2, 2009 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

German supercar builder Gumpert has just set a new Nürburgring lap record for street-legal production cars with its Apollo Speed model. The car was driven by Florian Gruber to a time of 7:11.57, demolishing the current record of 7:22.1 set by the Dodge Viper ACR.

German car magazine Sport-Auto was there to witness the record setting run and actually says that the previous record was a7:14.89 set by Michael Düchting in a Donkervoort D8 RS06 (essentially a Dutch version of a Lotus 7 or Caterham).

We can’t say we’re surprised by the car’s performance, after all, the Apollo uses a full carbon fiber monocoque, much like a Formula 1 car. It also makes 700hp thanks to a twin-turbocharged Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 and uses a genuine racing-style sequential transmission.

Company owner Roland Gumpert is no stranger to fast cars either as he worked at Audi for two decades and led the company’s motorsports division during its rallying heydays.

Technically speaking, the Radical SR8 has run a faster time of 6:55, however, it’s not street legal in many countries (including the U.S.).

Then again, it’s not hard to call into question the Apollo as a production car, considering so few have been built.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

The Nissan GT-R has once again bested it’s own lap time at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, posting a new personal best of 7:26.70.

Unfortunately for Nissan, the new time doesn’t move them up any in the fastest lap rankings, as the Corvette ZR1 still holds a lap time that is three tenth’s of a second faster.

Both the 7:26.7 of the GT-R and 7:26.4 of the ZR1 are distant finishes compared too the Dodge Viper ACR record holder with a 7:22.1.

The 2010 GT-R boasts 5 more horsepower than the previous model, as well as a revised transmission, new tires and a retuned suspension. Apparently those small modifications made a difference. The GT-R first recorded a 7:38 run back in September of 2007, and then shaved nine seconds off that run with a 7:29 in April of ’08. In April of this year Nissan posted a time of 7:27.56, and declared they were looking for an even better time. Now they have it.

Nissan has yet to post any official numbers for the GT-R SpecV, but with the new GT-R’s lap time it is most likely the even more hard-core version of the GT-R can best the Corvette.

The ACR, however, continues to be unchallenged, due not so much for its incredible 600hp and 560 ft-lbs of torque, but because of it’s race car-like aerodynamics.

Official release after the jump:

AWARD-WINNING NISSAN GT-R ACHIEVES NEW RECORD

LAP TIME AT NURBURGRING CIRCUIT

TOKYO (May 14, 2009) – The NISSAN GT-R, winner of the 2009 World Performance Car of the Year, has improved its lap time at the renowned Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70 on April 23.

NISSAN GT-R

This new time underlines Nissan engineering team’s commitment to constantly challenge the GT-R’s performance. Previous recorded lap times at the ‘Ring’ were:

-      7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009

-      7 minutes 29 in April 2008

-      7 minutes 38 in September 2007

“This record demonstrates our commitment to the continuous evolution of the Nissan GT-R,” says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist.  “We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year.”

The Nissan GT-R has won more than a dozen awards globally including Car of the Year from CAR Magazine in the UK, and Car of the Year by both Motor Trend and Autombile Magazine in the US.

While the Nissan GT-R benefits from a strong image and heritage amongst performance car aficionados, its updated 2010 version will be the first to be sold globally. It was launched:

-      in Japan in December 2008,

-      in the US in March 2009

-      in Europe, GCC, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan in April 2009

Europe is currently in the process of delivering the first GT-Rs to more than 2,200 pre-order customers.

The model R35 GT-R was first launched in Japan in December 2007, selling 5,900 units until March 2009. It went on sale in the US in July 2008, where 2,100 have been sold so far.

Nissan bested its own Nürburgring record today with a 7:27.56 lap in the updated 2010 GT-R. The new time trumps the previous GT-R “personal best” of 7:29. It is, however, still short of the ZR1′s best time of 7:26.4 and the Dodge Viper ACR’s record of 7:22.1.

The new GT-R features 5 more horsepower than the previous model, as well as a revised transmission, new tires and a retuned suspension. Apparently those small modifications made a difference.

Nissan’s top test driver Toshio Suzuki piloted the new GT-R around the Ring and while the company is pleased with the result they aren’t finished yet. Citing less than ideal track conditions (including dust and sand on the track) the Nissan team will attempt a faster time tomorrow and search (somewhat fruitlessly we might add) to set a new overall Nürburgring record.

We’ll be sure to bring you an update tomorrow if there’s a better time.

MJ Acquisitions, which recently purchased most of Saleen Inc., has made it clear that purchasing Viper from Dodge/Chrysler is of interest to the company.

Automotive News reports that MJ Acquisitions co-owner Mike Shields states that, “We’ve considered a purchase of Viper.” Shields and his bothers own several auto-industry related subsidiaries including Cyltec, LLC, Power-Tec Engineering, LLC, Arrow Racing Engines, LLC, and Control-Tec, LLC.

Chrysler has publicly stated its interest in selling off the successful Viper brand, and recently announced that it is currently looking over three proposals – although the company would not say if one of those proposals is from MJ Acquisitions.

In news relating back to Saleen, Shields stated that the continuation of the Racecraft brand and S-Line are not certain.

As for the continued uncertainty of the S7 and S5 Raptor supercars, former Saleen president Chris Theodore is still on the hunt for a buyer.

Read the AutoGuide review of the Viper ACR here:

Dodge Viper ACR

[Source: AutoNews]