The Corvette ZR1 hits 233 mph but only if you keep the engine revving in the wrong gear
Published on Jun 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Jun 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The 2026 Corvette ZR1 is the fastest Chevrolet supercar yet, hitting 233 mph thanks to a secret sixth-gear 8,100 rpm limit that lets it outperform the Corvette E-Ray with Cup tires.
General Motors engineered the Corvette ZR1 specifically to sustain power in sixth gear, helping it surpass rivals under $1 million.
The Corvette E-Ray offers a hybrid advantage, but the Corvette ZR1’s lightweight chassis and rear-wheel drive layout give it the edge in top speed and acceleration.
With Cup tires providing critical grip, this Chevrolet supercar delivers performance few can match.
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The 2026 Corvette ZR1 takes aim at the world’s fastest production cars by combining raw power with intelligent drivetrain tuning.
General Motors confirmed the car reached a verified 233 mph during testing with GM President Mark Reuss at the wheel.
The result is not solely due to its 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which produces 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque.
The secret lies in the car’s ability to hold sixth gear longer than expected.
While the official redline is 8,000 rpm, sixth gear alone allows an extended 8,100 rpm limit, ensuring the engine stays in its optimal power band beyond 230 mph.
Higher gears do not support this performance due to torque and power drop-off.
This engineering strategy allows the Corvette ZR1 to beat the Corvette E-Ray in both top speed and acceleration.
While the Corvette E-Ray benefits from all-wheel drive and a hybrid system generating 655 horsepower and 595 lb-ft of torque, it also carries extra weight at 3,774 pounds.
The Corvette ZR1, by contrast, weighs in at just 3,670 pounds and sends power to the rear wheels only.
The result is a blistering 0 to 60 mph time of 2.3 seconds for the Corvette ZR1, compared to 2.5 seconds for the Corvette E-Ray.
A key factor in this performance gap is the Corvette ZR1’s use of new Cup tires, which provide exceptional grip and allow the car to fully utilize its power off the line and through corners.
Combined with optimized weight distribution and a lower center of gravity, these tires give the Chevrolet supercar a significant traction advantage despite lacking all-wheel drive.
Analyses by independent experts, including Jason from Engineering Explained, further support GM’s claims.
Small factors such as tire grip, weight shift, and gear ratios explain how the Corvette ZR1 outperforms its hybrid sibling.
The engineering finesse of allowing a sixth-gear over-rev is a particularly clever touch that helps extract every last bit of speed from this high-performance machine.
The Corvette ZR1 proves that even in an era dominated by hybrid and electric supercars, traditional combustion power, when paired with innovative engineering, can still lead the pack.
Its ability to reach 233 mph with the help of smart drivetrain tuning and high-performance Cup tires highlights Chevrolet’s expertise in crafting a world-class Chevrolet supercar.
Looking ahead, the Corvette ZR1 sets a new benchmark for American performance cars and will likely remain a key point of pride for General Motors and its loyal fanbase.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
