Overview

• On June 28, 2025, Deutsche Bahn and Siemens conducted high-speed trials of the Velaro Novo between Erfurt and Leipzig/Halle using a measurement-equipped middle coach drawn by an ICE locomotive.
• The train achieved a top speed of 405 km/h, surpassing the previous corridor record of 333 km/h on the line opened in 2015.
• Advanced onboard sensors are collecting performance metrics to inform both the technical evolution of future ICE train generations and high-speed track maintenance.
• No timeline or specific plan has been announced for when the Velaro Novo will join regular passenger service in Germany.
• Most ICE trains are technically capable of exceeding 300 km/h but routinely operate at lower speeds due to short station distances and network infrastructure constraints.