The 2025 Corvette ZR1 has shattered previous speed records for General Motors, clocking an impressive 375.92km/h (233.45mph) during testing at the Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) track in Germany.
That means the new ZR1 has become GM’s fastest production car ever, surpassing earlier claims by a significant margin. The speed test was conducted in a factory-spec ZR1, driven by GM President Mark Reuss, highlighting the capability of this highly anticipated supercar.
The ZR1's remarkable performance wasn’t achieved with any aftermarket enhancements. Instead, Chevrolet achieved this feat using a standard, factory-spec version of the vehicle, equipped with its carbon fibre aero package and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
Even the ZR1’s "Top Speed Mode," designed to optimise the chassis for high-speed stability, was standard equipment. During testing, Reuss was accompanied by an onboard engineer to monitor real-time performance data, ensuring that the numbers were no fluke.
The new ZR1 easily eclipses its predecessor’s top speed of 341 km/h, marking a leap of 34km/h. This positions the C8 ZR1 at the pinnacle of GM’s engineering prowess, with consistent high-speed runs exceeding 370km/h across multiple tests.
Positioned behind the driver is a 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 793kW and 1121 Nm of torque. Chevy says these figures make it the most powerful V8 ever manufactured by an American carmaker.
The car’s aerodynamics are no less impressive, with 544kg of downforce generated at top speed, keeping the Corvette glued to the tarmac during its record run.
Expected to be priced around the equivalent of NZ$250,000, the Corvette ZR1 offers exceptional value when compared to much pricier hypercars.
With a future flagship Zora model expected to push performance even further, the Corvette ZR1 solidifies Chevrolet’s place among the elite in global supercar competition.