That Time a 2016 Camaro SS Hit 171 MPH on a Public Road

When a police officer describes a car as a “rocket on wheels,” you know things are serious.

Out in Minnesota on a part of Highway 61 near Duluth (the nose of Lake Superior), a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS registered on a cop’s radar detector at 171 mph. One. Seven. One. And it’s not even a major interstate roadway.

“The first speed that came up was 171, then 168 and then 143,” Hermantown Police Department Deputy Chief Shawn Padden said. “When he went by me it was a blur. You get used to seeing people going 65 or 70 and what that looks like. But I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s like a rocket on wheels at that point.”

That number is absolutely terrifying on a closed road, let alone a public one. Car and Driver‘s top speed don’t even go that high for this car (it’s listed at 160 mph).  That juice comes from the 6.2-liter V8 that puts out 455 horsepower.

Lucky for the copper, the driver actually slowed down. When given the chance to explain what in the hell he was doing, he gave the eye-roll-worthy, “I didn’t know how fast I was going” response. If he’s charged for reckless driving, he could be hit with up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Please, nobody tell this guy the 640-horsepower ZL1 was just announced …

[Via Duluth News Tribune]