When it comes to Big American Muscle, Chevrolet is one of the key names in the business. The 1960s and 1970s saw many performance versions of GM models, but by far, the biggest and longest-lasting names are the Corvette and Camaro. The two nameplates have been at it since 1953 and 1965 respectively, and aside from the late 1970s to mid-1990s, they have always packed great performance. To this day, abbreviations like SS, Z28, Z06, and ZR1 signify the range-topping Corvette and Camaro models.
While the quarter-mile was what these American icons were meant for, they are equally impressive when gunning for their top speed. In later models, both the Corvette and Camaro are capable of some serious numbers that would put to shame even their European counterparts. General Motors (GM) has had plenty of time to develop and perfect the Corvette and Camaro formula, even going as far as finally giving us the first mid-engine Corvette and a Camaro that actually handles. In case you wonder, here’s how Chevrolet’s 10 fastest sports cars look.
10 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: 190 Mph
The Chevrolet Camaro is, generally, considered a Muscle car, but in its later generations, there was an obvious transition towards more composed driving dynamics, akin to a sports car. The 2013 Camaro ZL1 was still, very much, a tire-shredding monster as it shared the C6 ZR1’s 6.2-liter, supercharged V-8.
Granted, it was de-tuned to 580 horsepower, but most of the 554 pound-feet (754 Nm) were available from very low in the rev range. The 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) took 3.8 to 4.0 seconds, depending on whether you opted for the six-speed manual or the six-speed automatic. The coupe version of the Camaro ZL1 is capable of 190 mph (306 km/h) while the soft-top convertible does only 184 mph (296 km/h), due to worse aerodynamics.
9 2008 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Grand Sport: 190 Mph
It’s 2008 and you want a Corvette that’s just slightly more hardcore than the base model, without going the Z06 or ZR1 route. The Grand Sport was the car for you as it featured a sportier suspension and chassis setting and a slightly more powerful version of the 6.2-liter, LS3 V-8. With 437 horsepower and 431 pound-feet (585 Nm), the 0 to 60 mph (97 km) was possible in 4.0 seconds.
Unlike the more hardcore C6 Z06, the Grand Sport was more driver-friendly on public roads and could be ordered, both, as a coupe and as a soft-top convertible. You could also opt for a six-speed automatic whereas the Z06 came only with a Tremec TR6060, a six-speed manual. The more aerodynamic coupe could reach 190 mph (306 km/h) while the convertible – 186 mph (300 km/h).
8 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray: 190 Mph
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Unless GM decides to make the C9 Corvette a front-engine model again, the seventh generation will be the last Corvette to feature the classic, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Classic it may be, but certainly not slow. The C7 is the first time when power is derived, not from an LS unit, but from the newer LT family of the pushrod, V-8 engines.
Still at 6.2 liters and still normally aspirated, the base, LT1 V-8 packs 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet (620 Nm) or 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm) for the Grand Sport. Depending on whether you opted for the seven-speed manual or the eight-speed automatic, 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes 3.9 to 4.0 seconds. The top speed is, once again, 190 mph (306 km/h).
7 2021 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray: 194 Mph
If some of the previous Corvettes were as fast as a supercar, the C8 Corvette handles like one too. The first mid-engine Corvette brought many innovations and finally fulfilled Zora Arkus Duntov’s vision of a mid-engine Corvette, after nearly 70 years of the sports car’s inception. The 6.2-liter, LT2 V-8 is mounted behind the cockpit and makes up to 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm).
For the first time ever in a Corvette, an eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic is the only transmission option. Still, Chevrolet claims that when all conditions are perfect, 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) can be reached in just 2.9 seconds. Meanwhile, the top speed of the C8 Stingray is 194 mph (312 km/h), provided you go for the coupe version.
6 2015 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06: 196 Mph
The C7 Z08 may not have the C8 Corvette Z08’s exotic car characteristics, instead opting for the classic, American, tire-shredding formula of having a big V-8 at the front that sends power to the rear. Proof that the C7 Z06 is capable of raw speed comes from its 6.2-liter, LT4, supercharged V-8. The mighty pushrod is capable of 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet (881 Nm).
Even more insane is the fact you can have it with a seven-speed manual, although the eight-speed automatic is the quicker option. Chevrolet says the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes 3.5 to 3.6 seconds, depending on which transmission you got, but certain publications have managed times as low as 3.1 seconds (on a prepped surface). The C7 Z06 has three aerodynamic packages, with the third one being the most aggressive. Because of the additional downforce, the C7 Z06 tops out at 196 mph (315 km/h).
5 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: 198 Mph
The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is, by far, the most athletic in the model’s history. This comes down to GM’s Alpha platform, which turns the Camaro, from a lumbering Muscle car to a proper sports car that can give the likes of the BMW M3 a run for their money.
The sixth generation of GM’s Muscle car also brought the most powerful Camaro ever in the form of the ZL1. Its LT4 engine was a direct carry-over from the C7 Corvette Z06. In the Camaro, it packs 660 horsepower and 640 pound-feet (868 Nm). A six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic is available. The 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) is possible in as little as 3.4 seconds while the top speed is 198 mph (319 km/h).
4 2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06: 199 Mph
The Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 was one of the first ‘Vettes to almost get into the 200 mph (322 km/h) club. In this trim, the C6 traded some comfort for racetrack prowess. It was 66 pounds (30 kg) lighter, stiffer, and more powerful than the base C6 Corvette. Power came from a 7.0-liter, LS7 V-8 with 505 horsepower and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm).
Mated exclusively to a Tremec six-speed manual, the C6 Z06 did the sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 seconds. The top speed was 199 mph (320 km/h). A nice piece of information is that the C6 Z06 has a cargo capacity of 22.4 cubic feet (634 liters) just in case your wife tells you it’s not practical.
3 2023 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06: 200 Mph
When the C8 Corvette first arrived, we knew it was a matter of time before more powerful versions start coming out. In 2023, the highly-anticipated C8 Corvette Z06 arrived and brought another first for the ‘Vette. It sounded more like a Ferrari than a Corvette and that was down to the 5.5-liter, naturally-aspirated, DOHC, LT6 V-8, which came with a flat-plane crankshaft. This made the cylinder banks fire more evenly, resulting in high-revving characteristics.
The C8 Z06 engine revs to 8,600 RPM while producing 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet (623 Nm). With an eight-speed DCT sending power to the rear, the C8 Z06 is good for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h), if you don't opt for the Z07 carbon-fiber aero package, which reduces top speed to 195 mph (314 km/h).
2 2009 Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1: 206 Mph
The C6 Chevrolet Corvette seems to be the last model to not prioritize downforce. The 6.2-liter, supercharged, LS9 V-8 made the car a bit of a handful, but fast enough to beat the Dodge Viper from the same period. With 638 horsepower and 606 pound-feet (819 Nm), the C6 Corvette ZR1 was the fastest Corvette of its day.
It not only managed a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in 3.4 seconds but was also capable of 206 mph (330 km/h). At the time, this made it the fastest Corvette that you could buy straight off the showroom floor. The C6 Corvette ZR1 was offered exclusively with a Tremec TR6060, six-speed manual.
1 2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1: 215 Mph
Front and side view of a Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1
In 2919, Chevrolet gave us the most powerful Corvette you could buy off a showroom floor – the C7 ZR1. This ultimate Corvette was an upgrade over the C7 Z06, adding a more powerful, 6.2-liter, supercharged, LT5 V-8, along with enhanced, engine periphery, chassis, and suspension in order to handle the 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet (969 Nm).
Like in the C7 Z06, you could choose between a seven-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic, which allowed the C7 ZR1 to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.85 seconds. The Chevy Corvette C7 ZR1 was offered with two aero packages. One prioritized downforce and added a tall rear wing, while the other prioritized top speed and featured a low rear wing, allowing a top speed of 215 mph (346 km/h).