GM has officially unveiled the 2026 Corvette ZR1X, showing off the fastest, most-powerful production Corvette ever produced. Previously expected to carry the “Zora” name in reference to the famous Corvette engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, the ZR1X cradles a hybrid powerplant that combines the same twin-turbocharged V8 as the ZR1 with a front-mounted electric propulsion similar to that of the C8 E-Ray, yielding a staggering 1,250 horsepower. That said, the ZR1X is not simply a performance upgrade or package for the C8 ZR1, but rather, its own standalone model variant.
It was originally uncertain how the new Corvette ZR1X would fit within the broader C8 hierarchy, but now, we know that it is a distinct variant slotting in above the Stingray, E-Ray, Z06, and ZR1.
The new 2026 Corvette ZR1X will be available in two trims, specifically the 1LZ and 3LZ, and is likely to share some features and equipment with its ZR1 equivalents. Nevertheless, the ZR1X will stand apart in both its layout and capabilities.
At the heart of the ZR1X lies the twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7, which delivers 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Two 76-mm turbochargers and dynamic anti-lag technology enhance throttle response and provide nearly instant boost. The internal combustion engine is complemented by a front-mounted electric motor that contributes an additional 186 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, as well as all-wheel grip and launch performance. While the electric motor is similar in size and shape to the motor powering the C8 E-Ray, the ZR1X’s motor generates an additional 26 horsepower and 20 pound-feet of torque.
The result is an estimated 0-to-60 mph time under two seconds and a projected quarter-mile time under nine seconds at over 150 mph. The ZR1X is also equipped with advanced chassis controls, including the Performance Traction Management (PTM) Pro system carried over from the C8 ZR1. Braking performance is equally robust, with 16.5-inch carbon-ceramic rotors squeezed by 10-piston calipers up front and six-piston calipers in the rear, producing 1.9G of deceleration between 180 mph and 120 mph.
There’s also an optional carbon fiber aero kit that adds heaps of functional performance, producing up to 1,200 pounds of downforce at speed.
As with all C8 Corvette models, the ZR1X will be assembled at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky, riding on the GM Y2 platform.
Comments
No 6.2?
This drivetrain boasts far more power than the 6.2 in case you could not figure that out from the article.
Looks so much better with the low spoiler. The wing is way too Pep Boys for me.
Mary and Jim at the competition again, childishly. There are more important things to do, duh.
I’m calling it. $300K minimum.
The MSRP might not be $300K, but I doubt if dealers will sell it for less than that
For the price of this vehicle, I hope that ZR1X branded on the sides are hard emblems and not decals.
This ought to rewrite the (Corvette) history books…once again! It never ceases to amaze me, just when you think the Mighty C8 ZR1 is the “Top Dog”, Chevy unloads another and even bigger and more capable “Top Dog” C8 for everyone to talk about, and in the not too distant future, will get properly tested and eventually be made available (albeit) to the most elite and most wealthy of those interested in owning a piece of Corvette history. Should be an interesting if not a totally amazing Hyper Car when it finally hits the streets and maybe a few race tracks. However this C8 might just be too rare and expensive to literally put it in direct competeition with other expensive Hyper Cars with a chance of destroying it on a race track, then again ya never know when someone with more money than God will track it or do something totally stupid after a Cars & Coffee event or car show event laying waste to one of these cars, being the first idiot to trash or total a new ZR1-X. We’ll all shake our heads in disbelief, but the proof will surely be in a video…it never fails to happen. It’s just a fact of life…and a matter of time as we’ve seen many late model Hyper Cars, mostly in Europe or someplace where money is no object, and where brains and common sense are not sold with each multi million dollar Hyper Car. Tsk, Tsk. Either way, it’ll be enteraining!
Wow! What a machine! I’m guessing an entry MSRP of US$199,995. Antone else hazard a guess?
I agree with your MSRP guess. Good luck getting one anywhere near that price