You won't believe how fast the Corvette is...

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 top speed test run exceeded GM’s own expectations

Chevrolet said the new Corvette ZR1 could do 346km/h. They lied, it’s even faster.

When Chevy launched its range-topping hero model back in July that made some bold claims – 782kW (1064hp), 1122Nm of torque and a top speed of 346km/h. However, when they went to test just how fast it can go, they went beyond their already impressive claim. Using the special facility at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg, Germany, the ZR1 kept going all the way to 375km/h (233.5mph).

While not quite enough to break into the 400km/h club with the likes of Bugatti and Koenigsegg, it’s still a remarkable speed from a car that costs a fraction of those multi-million dollar machines. Making the occasional even more remarkable was that it wasn’t just a test driver behind the wheel, but General Motors president (and former Holden boss) Mark Reuss who achieved the magic number.

The GM team in Germany with the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (Mark Reuss is far right)

“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,” Reuss said. “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.”

GM Australia has recently launched both the Corvette Z06 and hybrid Corvette E-Ray locally but has yet to confirm when, or even if, the ZR1 will be available locally.

Check out Chevrolet’s mini-documentary on the ZR1’s top speed run below.