The Only Gas-Powered American Cars That Can Reach 60 MPH In Under 3 Seconds

Even though enthusiasts love to compare horsepower outputs, top speeds, and even quarter-mile runs, the race to 60 mph is the most important time for most folks. After all, most of us don't have access to a long enough stretch of road to safely reach V-max, and consistent track time can make for a spendy hobby. What we can all appreciate, though, is the neck-snapping torque that comes with a 0-60 mph sprint. It's not a perfect metric (some cars are only just getting into gear by that point), but it gives you a real-world sense of acceleration.

With this in mind, we scoured the web for the only gas-powered American cars to reach 60 mph in under three seconds. From iconic sports cars and modern muscle to state-of-the-art hypercars, they represent the pinnacle of American performance engineering. Designed in the relentless pursuit of speed, these vehicles have redefined what’s possible in the world of high-performance cars and put American ingenuity on the map in a way few others have.

SSC 5.9L Twin-Turbo V8

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2015-2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06

0-60 mph: 2.95 Seconds

z06 1

Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06 Performance Specs

Chevrolet

Chevrolet’s mid-engine C8 makes for the fastest Corvette yet, but even the prior C7 generation could hit sub-three-second 0-60 mph times in the case of performance variants like the Z06. As the last front-engine Corvette in the line, the C7 represents the pinnacle of the sports car’s development up until that point, and it still offers something for enthusiasts – even considering used C8 depreciation.

If you’re after the quickest Z06 money can buy, be sure to look for an example equipped with the Z07 package. Between carbon-ceramic brakes, upgraded suspension, and a carbon fiber aero kit, the C7 could truly compete with some of the world’s finest supercars while staying true to its American roots.

2005-2009 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

0-60 mph: 2.9 Seconds

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Saleen S7 Twin Turbo Performance Specs

Saleen

Like Roush and Shelby, Saleen is best known for its specialty Ford-based performance vehicles. However, Saleen stands apart from its fellow American tuning outfits because it built a car of its own design – and an incredibly quick one at that. To this day, the S7 ranks among the boldest American supercars ever produced, combining a refined aerodynamic design, lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber chassis, and a mammoth 427-cubic-inch Windsor-based V8. While the standard S7 couldn’t quite crack the three-second mark in its sprint to 60 mph, the addition of the subsequent S7 Twin-Turbo and Competition packages was enough to do the trick.

A camo 2023 Dodge Demon 170 badge side close shot

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2020+ Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray

0-60 mph: 2.9 Seconds

Via: Chevrolet

Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray Performance Specs

Chevrolet

Since its debut, the C8 Corvette has pulled off any number of exotic supercar upsets, so the move to a mid-engine layout clearly seems to be working in Chevrolet’s favor. The improved weight distribution and chassis balance have obviously made the C8 incredibly quick in its cornering ability, but it’s the LT2 engine and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic that give the car its legs. You might be missing out on the manual transmission of the previous C7 generation, but you’re getting a host of other refinements in a rigid aluminum frame, coilover suspension, and aerodynamic provisions aplenty.

2017-2022 Ford GT

0-60 mph: 2.9 Seconds

Ford

Ford GT Performance Specs

Ford

As much as we would have liked to include Ford’s track-bred GT MKII or MKIV, we didn’t feel that those cars fit with the rest of the ensemble – they’re not street-legal. Of course, even the ‘standard’ Ford GT produced from 2017-2022 has the ability to break three seconds on its way to 60 mph.

Between the carbon fiber monocoque chassis, the Le Mans-inspired aerodynamics, and the responsive steering, it was a bona fide weapon in its own right. While the Blue Oval's halo car commands a significant premium even compared to faster Lamborghinis and McLarens, the GT is of a much more exclusive breed – Ford built just 250 cars a year over the course of the production run.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1

0-60 mph: 2.85 Seconds

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Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1 Performance Specs

Chevrolet

Even with the launch of the C8 ZR1, Chevrolet’s 2019 Corvette C7 ZR1 remains a desirable item on the used market. And it’s for good reason – unlike ZR1s from other generations, the C7 was made for just one year. What’s more, it represents the last manual ZR1 to leave the Chevrolet factory, as the only comes with the option of an 8-speed dual-clutch auto.

Beneath the aerodynamic bodywork – including a conspicuous front splitter and adjustable rear wing – it featured Chevrolet’s supercharged LT5 engine. With some 755 horsepower on tap, it boasted twice as much grunt as the C4 ZR1 and some 116 horsepower more than the C6 before it.

Cayman

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2007-2009 SSC Ultimate Aero TT

0-60 mph: 2.78 Seconds

Mecum

SSC Ultimate Aero TT Performance Specs

SSC via Supercars

After founding SSC back in 1998, CEO and owner Jerod Shelby made waves with the release of his first hypercar – the Ultimate Aero – in 2004. At the time of its debut, the Ultimate Aero was the fastest production car on the planet, boasting a 256.15-mph top speed taken over a two-way average. Not content to settle, though, SSC gave the Ultimate Aero even more oomph with the addition of the TT.

Putting down 1,180 horsepower and 961 lb-ft of torque, it could hit 60 mph in just 2.78 seconds and claimed to be capable of 273-mph V-maxes. Add to that lightweight carbon fiber bodywork, cutting-edge aerodynamics, and – of course – butterfly doors, and you’re left with one hell of an American supercar.

2012-2017 Falcon F7 Twin-Turbo

0-60 mph: 2.7 Seconds

Falcon Motorsports

Falcon F7 Performance Specs

Falcon

Even if you’re familiar with more niche names like Saleen and SSC, chances are pretty good that you haven’t heard of the Falcon F7. And it’s a shame because Falcon Motorsports owner Jeff Lemke proved to the world that you don’t need ludicrous investments to make a capable supercar. Beneath the carbon fiber and Kevlar composite bodywork, the F7 featured a bespoke aluminum and Kevlar monocoque chassis, a 7.0-liter LS7 engine from a C6 Corvette Z06, as well as a six-speed gated manual transmission. Thanks to the tuning efforts of Lingenfelter Performance, the Falcon boasted a base output of 620 hp and 585 lb-ft of torque. As with many of these home-brewed American supercars, though, adding a pair of turbos took power well past 1,000 ponies.

2011-2017 Hennessey Venom GT

0-60 mph: 2.7 Seconds

Hennessey

Hennessey Venom GT Performance Specs

Hennessey

Okay, so even though the Venom GT technically started its life as a Lotus Elise, we're going to give the spot to Hennessey. After all, the Venom GT still ranks among the fastest cars in the world thanks to a blistering 13-second 0-186 mph time and a 270.49 mph top speed. To accomplish such feats, Hennessey gave the British lightweight a healthy dose of American grunt, ditching the 1.8-liter inline-four in favor of a 7.0-liter twin-turbocharged LS7 V8.

Weighing just 2,743 lbs dry, it put down 1,244 horsepower and 1,155 lb-ft of torque in the case of the coupe. As if that wasn't enough, the Hennessey Venom GT got even more power with the Spyder, taking its total to some 1,451 ponies in 2016.

2022+ Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06

0-60 mph: 2.6 Seconds

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Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 Performance Specs

Chevrolet

Out of the gate, the C8 Corvette was so impressive that it singlehandedly redefined the price to performance ratio amongst the supercar segment. With the Z06, Chevrolet upped the ante even further, resulting in a Corvette that has the potential to really make its European rivals sweat. Instead of the 6.2-liter LT5 used in the Stingray and the E-Ray, it incorporates a 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8. On the road, this means that it produces some 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and it’ll rev all the way to 8,500 rpm. Equip it with the Z07 package – unlocking more aero, upgraded brakes, and sticky tires – to have a true missile.

2021+ Hennessey Venom F5

0-60 mph: 2.5 Seconds

Hennessey

Hennessey Venom F5 Performance Specs

Hennessey

Like Saleen, Hennessey pays the bills turning standard production cars into totally unhinged horsepower monsters. When Hennessey isn’t building cars like the Camaro Exorcist, though, the Special Vehicles team is busy applying its talents to in-house creations like the Venom. As the second bespoke Hennessey supercar and a followup to the GT, the Venom F5 was designed with one purpose in mind: top speed. Thanks to a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V8, a lightweight carbon fiber construction, and a low-slung profile, it’s projected to surpass 300 mph. While that has yet to be officially verified, there’s no denying that the car is quick at just 2.5 seconds to 60 mph.

2020+ SSC Tuatara

0-60 mph: 2.5 Seconds

SSC

SSC Tuatara Performance Specs

SSC

After taking the world by storm with its Ultimate Aero supercar, SSC set its sights even higher with the Tuatara. When the car debuted in 2020, it was tasked with the express goal of breaking speed records. Power came from a twin-turbo 5.9-liter V8 producing over 1,700 horsepower, and SSC kept the dry weight to a scant 2,750 lbs thanks to an aerospace-grade carbon fiber construction. While the Tuatara's 2020 record attempt faced some controversy, it's since completed subsequent attempts that have taken it as fast as 295 mph. Guinness World Record potential aside, a 2.5-second 0-60 mph time makes the SSC Tuatara plenty quick enough for the purposes of our roundup.

2025 Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1

0-60 mph: 2.3 Seconds

Chevrolet

Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1 Performance Specs

Chevrolet

Chevrolet's C8 Corvette has been a generation of innovation, and the ZR1 is certainly no exception. In addition to being the first factory-turbocharged Corvette ever, Chevrolet also claims that it makes for both the most powerful Corvette and the most powerful American production V8 in history. On the road, this means that it puts down 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque – enough to take it to 60 mph in a scant 2.3 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in 9.6 seconds (when equipped with the ZTK performance package). In its quest for supercar dominance, the C8 Corvette ZR1 smashed no fewer than five lap records around the United States at the hands of GM's development team.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

0-60 mph: 2.3 Seconds

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Performance Specs

Dodge

Back in 2018, Dodge revived the Demon nameplate for the first time since the Dart of the 1970s. It made for a fitting reintroduction, as the Challenger boasted 840 horsepower, a host of specialty performance aids, and even a crate filled with upgrades designed to ready the car for gut-punching 9.65-second quarter-mile runs at 140 mph.

While you'll likely need to perfect your launch and pick a day with perfect testing conditions to match Dodge's authoritative claims, those numbers still make for a seriously quick Challenger. It's all the more impressive when you consider the car tips the scales at 4,000-plus lbs.

2023 Dodge Challenger Demon 170

0-60 mph: 1.66 Seconds

Dodge

2023 Dodge Demon 170 Performance Specs

Dodge

Taking the top spot on our list of the only gas-powered American cars to hit 60 mph in less than three seconds is the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. As the last high-performance expression of the Challenger line, Dodge threw everything it had at the car to create a 1,025-horsepower strip-destroying speed machine.

On a prepped drag strip with a professional driver, Dodge claimed an 8.91-second quarter-mile at 151.2 mph. When it comes to 0-60 mph performance, this means that the Demon is capable of times as low as 1.66 seconds. Assuming you're not running under ideal conditions, this more likely comes out to something like 2.2 seconds by MotorTrend's estimation. Either way, a Dodge that can keep pace with a Bugatti is nothing to sniff at.