Unveiled in July, the 2025 Chevy Corvette C8 ZR1 is officially the fastest production car ever made by an American manufacturer. Chevy announced on Tuesday that the new Corvette ZR1 hit a blistering top speed of 233 mph at the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg in Germany, exceeding GM’s initial estimate of a 215-mph top speed. This stunning achievement also makes the C8 ZR1 the fastest production car currently available, priced under $1 million. For reference, the highest top speed recorded for the Corvette C7 ZR1 was 212 mph.
“Setting the top-speed record in the Corvette ZR1 is a true triumph for Corvette and for Chevrolet, and also an exhilarating, surreal experience for me personally,” GM President Mark Reuss, who was behind the wheel to break the record, said in a statement. “With the current generation’s switch to mid-engine, we knew the outstanding performance and balance made this a real possibility. To go over there and get it done is a testament to the power of ZR1, and to the incredibly talented team that developed and built it.”
The ZR1 hit 233 mph at redline in sixth gear, and it wasn’t just a lucky, one-off run. There were two development cars and five engineers making multiple runs that exceeded 230 mph. This was achieved with the standard chassis and aero package, a standard spoiler with short wicker, carbon fiber ground effects, and aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The ZR1 has a Top Speed Mode that adjusts chassis control systems to maximize the top speed, but, of course, it’s intended exclusively for closed course use.
The Corvette C8 ZR1 achieves this record with the mighty twin-turbo 5.5L V8 LT7 engine, rated at 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque. Built at the Performance Build Center, part of the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky where the Corvette is built, the LT7 has a 32-valve DOHC, flat-plane crank valvetrain, a unique intake and fuel injection system, CNC-machined combustion chamber, exhaust, and intake ports, and a slew of other enhancements over the LT6 that powers the Corvette C8 Z06 to make it America’s most powerful production V8. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels.
Comments
Hypercar performance for a supercar price. Bravo GM, phenomenal work!
God bless GM, God bless America, and god bless President Trump. Thanks to our hard working patriot American brothers and sisters, we can own these masterpieces for a price way less than their European counterparts.
Barry
Trump is NOT the President!
Dude it’s pretty common, at least in the US to use someones highest past title when addressing them. Barak Obama still gets called president Obama all the time (but I assume you wouldn’t have objected to that).
I wonder if there is still some speed left on the table. If they reached 233 in sixth gear (when there are 8) and they didn’t have the extra weight of a passenger riding along, I wonder if they could go higher still. Unless they’re saving that for the Zora.
Reuss is one of the true “car guys” left in the auto world. Wish he had saved the ICE Camaro to soldier on with the Mustang.
Wow.
Trump sucks
The C9 will have big shoes to fill…
love GM allday everyday love it congrats Chevrolet Team GOD BLESS USA AMEN
Fun, but since geezers and very entitled 20-somethings with very rich parents are the only ones that buy Vettes anymore, I cringe. And who really cares?
Corvettes are not designed for geezers. Try and get in or out of one. Almost impossible unless young.
I’m 75 and didn’t get to buy my used C-6 until I was 67, I can get into mine just fine. I have had both hips replaced and one knee, NO problems. Just wished I could have bought one sooner.
I have the top down to get out of the C8.
Lemoyne Common sense is not your friend. This car has nothing to do with Trump. Your so-called president can’t even put a proper sentence together whenever he tries to speak. If you follow someone who is not smart, you are dumber for sure.
God bless GM is right.
FANTASTIC luv the car luv the yellow if i only lived in U.S. could and really would by one if available unfortunatley live in canada my cost would be around $350,000.00 with taxes and what not still better deal than exotic european cars. would like to see what TOP GEAR and crew would do if they were still around. my c8 with even 500 hp is gr8 THANKS GM FOR IN MY VIEW BEST SPORTS CAR HOPE IM STILL AROUND TO SEE WHAT IS NEXT BEST REGARDS Glen.
I am interested in seeing how the Lexus LFR V8 TT performs…maybe it will ALSO have a 200+ MPH top speed?
Anyone else nit impressed by this?
A C6 topped out at 205.
Lingenfelter’s C4 ZR1 went over 200 as well.
Both cars have half the horsepower…also half the curb weight since the C8 is heavier than most tri axles.
This car is underwhelming and GM is too deep into R&D costs to admit it publicly.
Guaranteed when GM goes bankrupt again, the Vette will be front engines again.