The Fastest American Cars In History
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is set to be the fastest production Corvette ever sold.
The new model is powered by a 1,064 hp twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that Chevy says is good for a top speed of at least 215 mph.
That will beat the last-generation 2019 Corvette ZR1’s 212 mph top speed, but where does it rank on the all-time list of the fastest cars from the big American brands?
2004 FORD GT – 205 mph
The 2004 Ford GT was powered by a 550 hp supercharged V8 and had a top speed of 205 mph.
2013 SRT VIPER – 206 MPH
SRT was its own brand for two years before the Viper was brought back into the Dodge fold, but the 2013 model launched under the SRT name with a front-mounted 640 hp 8.4-liter V8 that could coax the snake to a 206 mph top speed.
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2025 FORD MUSTANG GTD – 210 MPH (EST)
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is based on the company’s IMSA and WEC race cars and comes packing an 800 hp supercharged 5.2-liter V8. Final performance specs haven’t been released, but a member of the development team told American Cars And Racing that it will have a top speed of around 210 mph when its drag reduction system is engaged.
Related: HEAR IT: $325,000 FORD MUSTANG GTD MAKES PUBLIC DRIVING DEBUT AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 – 212 mph
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was the last new front-engine Corvette model introduced and it came with a 755 hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 good for a 212 mph top speed.
Related: THE MOST POWERFUL AMERICAN CARS, TRUCKS AND SUVS EVER MADE
DODGE CHALLENGER SRT DEMON 170 – 215 MPH (UNOFFICIAL)
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 were primarily drag cars, but with 808 hp and 1,025 hp, respectively, they surely had high top speeds. But how high? Dodge never confirmed either and delivered the Demon with a 168 mph restrictor due to the type of tires it came with, but independent testers once got a Demon up to 211 mph in and Dodge released a cryptic teaser that suggested the Demon 170 could hit 215 mph.
Related: ACROSS THE LINE: DODGE BUILT ALL 3,300 CHALLENGER SRT DEMON 170S IT PLANNED BEFORE PRODUCTION ENDED
2025 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 – 215 MPH (EST)
Chevrolet is still putting the finishing touches on the Corvette ZR1 that goes on sale next year, but promises that the mid-engine 1,064 hp two-seater will be able to hit a minimum maximum speed of 215 mph.
Related: THE 2025 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 HAS ROCKETS ON IT — BUT WHY?
2017 FORD GT – 216 MPH
The 2017 Ford GT was a Le Mans racer for the road that featured a 647-hp 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 and active aerodynamics that could streamline it to reach speeds up to 216 mph, making it the fastest car from a major U.S. automaker so far.
Related: THE 20 MOST EXPENSIVE CARS SOLD ON BRING A TRAILER IN 2023 WERE FORD GTS
2025 TESLA ROADSTER – 250 MPH (*)
You’ll note the asterisk on this one as the Roadster’s arrival has been delayed several times since it was first revealed as a show car in 2017. Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims it will be in production next year and the website for it still advertises a top speed of +250 mph. Stay tuned.
Related: ELON MUSK SAYS THE TESLA ROADSTER IS LAUNCHING IN 2025 WITH ROCKETS, SUB-1-SECOND 0-60 MPH TIME
