This is How Fast the New Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Can Actually Go
Unveiled in late July, the all-new 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 stunningly shows the potential of V8 engines without any form of electrification. Its twin-turbocharged, 5.5-litre DOHC flat-plane crank LT7 V8 cranks out an insane 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm.
The company promised quarter-mile runs in less than 10 seconds and a top speed in excess of 346 km/h. As it turns out, the car is even faster than that.
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During a recent session on the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg in Germany, the Corvette ZR1 managed to reach 375 km/h (a two-way average speed) with none other than General Motors President Mark Reuss behind the wheel, making it the fastest car ever built by an American automaker.
In fact, as Chevrolet likes to point out, no other current production car priced under $1 million USD can go that fast.
“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,” said Reuss. “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.”
Blessed with the most powerful V8 ever produced in America by an auto manufacturer (not counting tuners like Hennessey), the Corvette ZR1 that lit up the Papenburg track was not modified in any way. It had a standard chassis and aero package, including a standard spoiler with short wicker, carbon fibre ground effects, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and aluminum wheels. A Top Speed mode, exclusively developed for closed course use, adjusts the various control systems for maximum speed.
During testing, in addition to Reuss, five Chevrolet engineers and both ZR1 development cars onsite exceeded 370 km/h.