After All of the Hype About the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the 2026 ZR1X is the Incredible Corvette No One Saw Coming

Prepare yourself to see an American hypercar blow the doors off the competition. The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will do 0-60 in under two seconds. The ZR1X is the most advanced Corvette ever. The ZR1X takes the LT7 twin-turbo V8 with 1,064 horsepower and adds a compact electric motor on the front axle with 186 horsepower, for a total of 1250 horsepower. The amazing thing is that there is no physical connection between the two power sources. 

ZR1X features:

• Electrified all-wheel-drive
• LT7 twin-turbo V8 with 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb.-ft. of torque
• Front-axle motor adds 186 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque
• GM-estimated 0-60: Under 2 seconds
• GM-estimated ¼ mile: Under 9 seconds
• Not a plug-in: ZR1X charges through regenerative efforts from the front drive unit

“From day one, we designed the mid-engine Corvette architecture with ZR1X in mind,” said General Motors senior VP Ken Morris. “This is the most revolutionary platform in Corvette history, supporting the widest range of American sports cars and delivering world-class performance at every level.”

How the ZR1X Was Developed

America’s most powerful sports car starts with the ZR1’s LT7 V8. It generates more power than any other V8 produced by an American auto manufacturer. The hand-built 5.5-liter Gemini small-block V8 was developed alongside the naturally aspirated flat-plane crankshaft engines powering the Corvette Z06 and Z06 GT3.R race car.

Chevy perfected a “maniturbo” exhaust design that combines the manifold and turbocharger to get the turbos as close to the exhaust valves as possible. This decreases the time needed to build boost. The Corvette team added all-wheel drive capability for even better performance. ZR1X benefits from the foundation set in 2024 by E-Ray, the first-ever AWD Corvette, combining a high-voltage battery pack and electric motor driving the front axle with V8 propulsion turning the rear axle. 

The battery capacity is 1.9 kWh like E-Ray, but the usable energy has grown to provide greater lapping capability. The drive unit is the same shape and size of the E-Ray front drive unit, but the ZR1X unit generates an additional 26 horsepower and 20 lb.-ft. of torque. On the track, ZR1X uses special energy strategies to maximize electrified output based on track session demands and driver preferences.

Special Performance Features

Drivers will have a Charge+ button for better battery endurance and extra power on the track. A Push-to-Pass feature will give drivers maximum available power on-demand. Another setting called PTM Pro turns off traction and stability control, giving drivers full control on the track. It is new for all 2026 Corvettes.  

Huge Horsepower Requires Huge Brakes

The ZR1X needs huge brakes to corral all of that horsepower.  The J59 braking package comes standard on ZR1X and is an option on ZR1. It is designed for superior heat resistance and ultra-responsive braking. Alcon 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers are paired with 16.5-inch front and rear rotors. These are the largest diameter rotors ever offered on a Corvette. The rotors are carbon ceramic, built with woven carbon fiber threads.

Two Different Chassis Give Drivers Either a Track or Touring Focus

The ZR1X is offered in two chassis configurations. Both versions will have magnetic ride control that adjusts to driver inputs and gives optimal control. The standard chassis makes the vette hybrid a comfortable touring car on-road as well as a highly capable Corvette at the track. The optional ZTK Performance Package gives a firmer ride. 

An optional high-downforce Carbon Aero package adds dive planes, underbody strakes and a rear wing. This package gives an additional 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed and comes standard on ZTK-equipped cars.

Chevrolet Keeps Raising the Bar on Sports Cars

Chevy says “The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is the ultimate expression of the no-compromise eighth generation platform. It’s an all-day comfortable tourer, a straight-line rocket, and a racetrack weapon, all in one.”

The ZR1X will be available in a coupe or hardtop convertible body style. The 2026 ZR1X will have an updated Corvette interior. The 2026 Corvette redesigned interior has a new three-screen layout and reimagined console design. It will offer real-time vehicle data provided by a built-in Performance App.

All Corvettes, including the new ZR1X, are built at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Every LT7 engine is hand-assembled at the Bowling Green Performance Build Center. Chevrolet will release pricing and availability closer to production. It is expected to cost more than the ZR1 which stickers about $175,000. 

Chevrolet Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.