What can a Corvette ZR1 producing 1064 horsepower do? Break records. With GM President Mark Reuss behind the wheel on a German test track, the ZR1 achieved a top speed of 233 mph. That makes it the fastest production vehicle ever made by an American automaker.
“Setting the top-speed record in the Corvette ZR1 is a true triumph for Corvette …
That's certainly an impressive feat. It's interesting, though, that they did this on PS4S tires and aluminum wheels; I would've expected Cup 2s with the CF wheels.
Apparently we're omitting limited production hypercar manufacturers from this claim?
For comparison, here's some of the company the ZR1 joins at 233 mph:
Driven5 said:Apparently we're omitting limited production hypercar manufacturers from this claim?
I was the same thing. Hennessey has been there
Mndsm said:Driven5 said:Apparently we're omitting limited production hypercar manufacturers from this claim?
I was the same thing. Hennessey has been there
I suppose that's what "production car" means in this context. Hennessy modifies existing vehicles. Well, when they aren't stealing their customers' money. 
SSC hit 257 way back in 2007, and 295 more recently.
Hennessey hit 270 10 years ago, and is expected to hit 300+ in the near future after breaking 220mph in the HALF mile.
RUF is considered a manufcaturer despite using Porsche chassis. And while the Venom GT was on a modified chassis, I believe the Venom F5 is bespoke.
Yeah, after reviewing some of the low-production car manufacturers in the U.S., we tweaked our text in the story a bit. It's still not taking anything away from the Corvette ZR1. It's fast.
In reply to J.A. Ackley :
Alternatively, it could be argued as the fastest mass-produced production car from a US manufacturer... And perhaps of any mass manufacturer? Of particular note, they're not putting any limit on how much of Corvette production is ZR1's.
It seems like the other day when GM (1980's?) was excited to hit 150mph.
I find it interesting that the McLaren F1 hit a higher top speed with 400hp less. Comparing the F1 to the Z06, the Cd is similar at .32 vs 31. Frontal area is 1.79 vs 2.05 m^2.
I thought that The Drive's way of putting it was pretty clear: Fastest car under $1M
Holy crap. This was driven by the same guy who crashed the pace car at Belle Isle a few years ago. 
Looks like Guinness requires at least 30 identical units for something to be considered a "production" car, which would rule out things like the Hennessey Venom GT (13 units).
In reply to Snrub :
Without looking I'd guess it is largely tied to gearing.
I assume the upcoming Tesla Roadster will eclipse that claim as the fastest production car by an American automaker if/when it comes out and does what it claims?
Fastest, or quickest? I'd believe claims of the quickest.
The F1 weighs 2,778 pounds according to the wiki. I can't find a curb weight for the Uber Vette but I bet that's a good deal lighter than the ZR1
Snrub said:I find it interesting that the McLaren F1 hit a higher top speed with 400hp less. Comparing the F1 to the Z06, the Cd is similar at .32 vs 31. Frontal area is 1.79 vs 2.05 m^2.
Drag.
Other than the Senna, all production McLaren road cars are designed with very little downforce...just enough to offset lift at speed. This is because it's way easier to market a car with a high top speed, rather than a lower speed + some big downforce number. Even the Average Joe understands MPH.
If the Corvette is making 1200 lbs of downforce, that's got to be affecting drag substantially.
Somewhere, there's a Miata driver that will get a point-by from one of these
OK, I also saw the pre-modification piece and wanted to bristle about how there's other American cars that have gone faster. But SERIOUSLY think about this: a production Corvette just hit 233mph. Right off the assembly line you can buy a relatively-modestly priced American car and go 233mph. That's absolutely bonkers. What an amazing feat. The Venom and SSC are delicate bespoke extremely tiny production number vehicles. This is just off the rack Chevy. ~$180k car. It costs about twice what Jim Bob is gonna spend on his F350 dually crew cab diesel king ranch.
Snrub said:I find it interesting that the McLaren F1 hit a higher top speed with 400hp less. Comparing the F1 to the Z06, the Cd is similar at .32 vs 31. Frontal area is 1.79 vs 2.05 m^2.
Thats only a 60hp difference @240mph. I'm guessing gearing, because rough calcs don't show anywhere near 1000hp being needed. 600 is right in the ballpark.
flyin_viata said:Somewhere, there's an ambulance chaser gonna make a fortune from one of these
FTFY
Hennesey hyper cars arent real homologated road cars last time i checked, have anything changed on that subject?
In reply to Snrub :
There are a lot of variables. Not to mention, the production F1 will not hit 243 mph; the record was set with a raised redline. You addressed the drag which is likely a large part of it as well as gearing. I love the F1 and the legendary S70/2, but the 243 is a little bit deceptive.
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