GM officially announced the new 2026 Corvette ZR1XÂ last week, lifting the veil on an ultra-high-performance hybrid powertrain delivering 1,250 horsepower and all-wheel grip, the combination of which is good for a run to 60 mph in less than two seconds. Framed as the most advanced production Corvette ever made, international buyers will be happy to learn that the 2026 Corvette ZR1X will be available outside the U.S. market. Now, GM has announced the 2026 Corvette ZR1X for Canada.
At the heart of the new ZR1X is the twin-turbocharged 5.5 V8 LT7 gasoline engine, which, on its own, produces 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm. This is the same powerplant motivating the ZR1, with ICE-generated output sent exclusively to the rear axle.
Complementing the V8 is a front-mounted electric motor generating an additional 186 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Together, this hybrid system will catapult the ZR1X down the quarter mile in less than nine seconds at more than 150 mph. Put simply, the ZR1X is among the quickest production cars on the planet.
The battery system is topped off via regenerative braking, ensuring that it stays charged without a plug. Notably, the ZR1X electric drive unit is similar in size and shape as the motor powering the hybrid C8 E-Ray. That said, the ZR1X required exhausting electric motor calibration to make it all work.
The ZR1X also offers new performance traction management software and unique drive modes, including Endurance, Qualifying, and Push-to-Pass, allowing drivers to fine-tune the power delivery for the track session at hand. A new PTM Pro mode allows advanced users to disable stability and traction control for a more hands-on experience.
The braking system on the ZR1X is also new, with 16.5-inch carbon-ceramic rotors paired with Alcon 10-piston front and six-piston rear calipers, making for the largest braking setup ever offered on a Corvette, capable of 1.9G of deceleration.
Suspension options include standard magnetic ride control or the ZTK Performance Package, the latter of which features stiffer springs and track-ready Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. For even more grip, the Carbon Aero Package can generate up to 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.
Inside, the 2026 ZR1X debuts the C8’s latest cabin design, including a new three-screen digital layout.
Pricing and availability details for the Canadian Corvette ZR1X will be announced closer to launch. All C8 variants ride on the GM Y2 platform and are assembled at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
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