THE FASTEST CORVETTE EVER: ZR1 STORMS PAST EXPECTATIONS AND INTO THE RECORD BOOKS
Chevrolet has just rewritten the history books with its newest Corvette ZR1, clocking an astonishing 233 mph during official testing—well beyond the previously claimed top speed of 215 mph. The 2025 Corvette ZR1, boasting a monstrous 1,064 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 engine, is now the fastest car ever built by General Motors and the fastest car in the world under $1 million.
GM President Mark Reuss was behind the wheel for the record-shattering run, which took place at the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing in Papenburg, Germany. Even more impressive? The Corvette ZR1 that achieved this milestone was completely stock, fitted with its standard chassis and aero package—no special modifications were made to hit that incredible speed.
“It Just Feels Like You’re Going Fast on the Highway”
While reaching 233 mph may sound like a white-knuckle ride, Chevrolet’s Chris Barber, the lead development engineer for the ZR1, said the car felt remarkably stable. “It just feels like you’re going pretty fast on the highway. Which is crazy to say, but that’s how good the car was,” Barber remarked, highlighting just how balanced and composed the ZR1 remained at such extreme speeds.
The test wasn’t a one-off miracle, either. Five different GM engineers reached speeds of 230 mph or higher during the same test session, showcasing the ZR1’s incredible consistency.
NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, JUST PURE AMERICAN MUSCLE
The ZR1 that smashed this record didn’t rely on any exotic or custom parts. It featured the standard aero package, which includes a normal spoiler and carbon fiber ground effects, riding on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and aluminum wheels. Chevrolet’s Top Speed mode was activated, tweaking the chassis control system to maximize speed, ensuring the ZR1 was in its best form for the run.
The test track itself is something special—7.6 miles long and banked at a staggering 50 degrees (for comparison, NASCAR’s Talladega Superspeedway is banked at 33 degrees). At 150 mph, the steep banking makes it feel as if you’re driving in a straight line, making the Papenburg track an ideal testing ground for extreme speeds.
“THE MOST INTENSE PART WAS THE BANKING”
For Chris Barber and the team of engineers, driving the ZR1 at such high speeds on such a steeply banked track was an unforgettable experience. “Going into the banking was the most intense part,” Barber said. “That feeling is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It just pushes you so hard into the ground. Even NASCAR tracks don’t come close to 50-degree banking.”
A NEW RECORD FOR AMERICAN PERFORMANCE
With its 233-mph run, the Corvette ZR1 isn’t just the fastest car GM has ever produced—it’s the fastest mainstream American car, period. At under $1 million, it also holds the crown for the fastest car in its price range. This latest achievement solidifies the ZR1 as a true supercar killer, blending Chevrolet’s long-standing American muscle tradition with cutting-edge performance and engineering.
The new Corvette ZR1 has officially set a new benchmark in the world of supercars. Fast, fierce, and now record-breaking, the ZR1 is ready to leave its mark on both the track and the streets.
