The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has redefined speed for American sports cars, clocking a blistering 233 mph at Germany’s ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg. The record-breaking feat makes the ZR1 the fastest production car ever built by an American automaker, achieving this milestone under the guidance of General Motors (GM) President Mark Reuss.
Reuss personally piloted the Corvette ZR1 during the high-speed test, which took place on the facility’s High-Speed Oval Track. The two-way average speed on the northbound and southbound straightaways set a new benchmark for production cars priced under $1 million.
“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.”
ZR1: Pushing the Limits of Performance
The record-setting ZR1 features a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged LT7 DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine, producing an astonishing 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. This makes it the most powerful V8 ever produced in America by an auto manufacturer. The ZR1 also boasts a GM-estimated sub-10-second quarter-mile time on closed courses.
Key to its high-speed success is a standard chassis and aero package, including a carbon fiber ground effects kit and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The car was equipped with a standard spoiler with short wicker, allowing it to maintain stability and control at top speeds. Engineers developed a Top Speed Mode exclusively for track use, fine-tuning the chassis control systems for maximum velocity.
A New Era for Corvette
The ZR1’s mid-engine design, introduced in the 2020 generation, has unlocked new levels of performance, enabling the car to reach unprecedented speeds. The Papenburg testing conditions, with ideal temperature and air density, allowed the Corvette to push its limits. Over the course of multiple runs, five GM engineers and two development cars surpassed the 230 mph mark, demonstrating the consistent performance of the ZR1.
The test session saw Chevrolet engineers analyzing data in real time, ensuring the car’s performance and safety during the high-speed runs. The 233-mph top speed marks a significant achievement not only for the Corvette brand but also for Chevrolet and the broader American auto industry.
The 2025 Corvette ZR1 also pays homage to its roots with a revival of the iconic split rear window design. The purposeful carbon fiber aero package generates over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed, providing stability while maintaining its aggressive, sleek styling.
