Just last week, Chevrolet teased a new C8 Corvette variant, showing off a stylized “X” logo and leading to speculation that the Bow Tie brand was about to drop a new ultra-high-performance model dubbed the Corvette ZR1X. Now, we’re getting our first official look at exactly that.
Framed as the most advanced Corvette ever made, the new Corvette ZR1X delivers 1,250 horsepower through a combination of boosted internal combustion and electric power, yielding an estimated 0-to-60 mph sprint time of less than two seconds, and an estimated quarter mile time of less than nine seconds at more than 150 mph. This is the car we’ve been calling the Zora for the past several years.
On the ICE side of the equation is the twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine, the same powerplant cradled by the “standard” ZR1, rated at 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque, all of which is channeled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The LT7 features a pair of 76-mm turbochargers and “dynamic anti-lag” tech to give drivers immediate boost and sharper throttle response “in certain conditions.”
Supplementing the V8 is a front-mounted electric motor generating 186 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, resulting in an electrified all-wheel drive layout. The electric drive unit is the same shape and size as the front-mounted motor found in the C8 E-Ray, while the motor in the ZR1X incorporates strengthened internal components and tweaks to “energy deployment” to provide an additional 26 horsepower and 20 pound-feet of torque over the E-Ray unit. The Corvette ZR1X will engage electric power up to 160 mph.
Handling and control are elevated as well, with drivers offered a suite of advanced driving software. This includes the PTM Pro mode first introduced by the C8 ZR1, as well as modes for extended lapping, qualifying, and push-to-pass power.
Braking is provided by massive carbon-ceramic rotors (16.5 inches front and rear) paired with 10-piston calipers in front and six-piston calipers in the rear. Properly applied, the ZR1X will generate 1.9G of decelerating force between 180 mph to 120 mph.
Customers will be able to choose between two chassis configurations, including a touring chassis and a more aggressive track package, the latter of which is outfitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires and a firmer ride. There’s also a full carbon aero kit capable of generating up to 1,200 pounds of downforce.
All C8 Corvette variants are built at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky. Further details on the ZR1X, including pricing and availability, are expected closer to the as-of-yet-unannounced launch date.
Comments
WOW.
I would love to be a factory worker in Bowling Green.
Better yet, how about being the owner of that ZR1X.💥💥
awesome!!
price?
You can’t afford it. Frankly, neither can I. This car is for masters of the universe not for a working schmo like me. I’m in Cavalier land.
I can afford this and I will buy this
guess you didn’t read the whole article??
We shouldn’t be surprised if it would be over $125k
The “regular” ZR1 is already $178K-$200K. This ZR1X will easily be $250K-$300K.
Coming soon:
Z06X
Gran Sport (Renamed E-Ray with upgraded ICE engine)
Close, they’re gonna call it the X-ray
They claim it to be the most advanced Corvette ever, but yet it still does not have adaptive cruise control… obviously that’s because it’s a “driver‘s” car, but I would still prefer having this option as we regularly take our ‘23 HTC 3LT on long rides out of state…
I think the ZR1X is very purpose built – it is for the track, although most will be for the garage. Having said that, I definitely think it should be added to the Stingray at a minimum by this point as we too drive ours daily and it bugs me when my wife’s Bronco is better in any capacity than my vette…
GM held a vote when the C8 Corvette was introduced at a Corvette Event about this feature and everyone of them voted against it.
I’ve found the adaptive cruise control to be helpful on long highway trips in other vehicles. I don’t have to fiddle with it as much when I get trapped in traffic on the interstate. I guess it would mean one more sensor in the grill, which I could do without since cooling area is limited already.
Awesome, GM is not messing around when it comes to the Corvette but I wish they would finally make a performance truck and make their vehicles more performance based in general.
The biggest thing in the way of an entire lineup of performance vehicles is EPA. Get them out of the way and let AMERICA loose again.
I’d love for a Love Canal 2.0 or the Cuyahoga River catching on fire again so my pickup can go faster!
Duh huh!
Disagree, as a lowered RST with a 6.2 and 2wd would be easier on their CAFE numbers than a trail boss with the 2.7 or 5.3.
Heck, drop in AWD and the LT4 and with lowered chassis and street tires, your still going to beat a lifted truck.
you win the dumbest comment on the internet. What does lowering a vehicle have to do with CAFE standards?
They do make performance oriented vehicles that are not sports cars. Look for the letters EV on the back.
My Cummins has more performance than your Bolt 😂😂😂
Look at Ford Authority for a 1,200 HP Mustsng Mach-E.
They have to appeal to all markets.
I a GM guy but Toyota appeals to the masses and is no.1 in Sales.
GM uses the money from mainstream product sales to fuel Corvette and Cadillac development. Cadillac is currently building better BMW’s than BMW is. My fear is GM is walking away from that market.
You have the Escalade-V, it’s as close to a performance truck as you’re going to get…
I am only disappointed that it is not called “Zora”
Ditto, ZR1X is almost like AT4X. It doesn’t resonate anywhere near as well a “Zora”.
@Frank Ricciardi
Same here.
If that is all we can complain about, GM has done a masterpiece.
I am still overall disappointed that GM never offered Active Rear wing on the C8 so I knew that was not going to be on this either. Shame but hopefully the C9 will have it.
I personally cannot stand Huge wings.
For a guy that had his first corvette with around 230HP my eyes were popping out reading this. The professional pictures with the perfect lighting made me say got’a have one. Of course I won’t, and can’t but when I got to the push to pass statement, I just laughed. Too much boy want-to-be racer. I’d be better off, just buying a substantially less powerful road racing car and not freak out when I rub up against something in it. All that said, in 1975 did you ever in your wildest dreams think there would be street legal car like this. Amazing.
Could’ve callee it ZR1Z for Zora and used the new X logo across the brand
So many pop up ads I couldn’t finish the article. What I could see looks great.
Wow, call when the vette is to be sold I will take one, I have a 2023 caffeine in color
Good thing the missies and I waited to trade in our ‘09 Rondo LX with reclining bucket seats and deluxe wheel covers.
Incredible! Now, how to win more IMSA and other races. The friendly and not so friendly competitors are not sitting on their haunches and continue to beat the GT-3 Corvette on a regular basis. Very frustrating for me as the C5, C6 and C7 seemed to win a much larger percentage of the racing events. Don’t get me wrong. I would buy a ZR1X in a minute but my driving use does not justify it. I’d love to have Ron Fellows or Johnny O’Connell take me for a ride Pahrump or some other track. Yes, the younger guys would be fine but I met Fellows and O’Connell at Miller many years ago….
Because some days you just can’t wait 2 seconds to get to 60:-)
I have a bad bladder and enlarged prostate. So, I need to stop at every Interstate rest area. I need something that allows me to safely merge back into traffic.
Alright, for the boomers that can’t get their Vette outta snowdrifts
Why not spread the love? Why not an Z06X also? Will the eray get the upgraded electric assist?
Look this is great but they are not done.
Look for the AWD added to the Z06x that will come as well the ERay is changed to a Grand Sport with AWD and high down force options.
As for the Zora. A good reason why this is not called Zora as we have not seen it yet.
Expect a track based car like the 911 GT3 to come that has the mega power and less weight. This would top the ZR1x. What better car to be called Zora but a true street legal race car vs a 4100 pound GT.
The 2029 C9 is expected 2028. Unless there is a delay.
And before anyone wants to make the ERay a success it sold less than 3% of production. That is not good compared to the other models.
Electric marketing is not good for the Corvette. Market the performance not how it is made.
It’s too early to say it is not a success. It is new territory, was sold less than one model year and has some confusion with it being an EV. It is a great addition to the grand touring type with same or better Z06 acceleration. It is growing, how much is TBD but that 3% is misleading…
The rest is good info, glad to see an RS equivalent hopefully coming and attaching the electric motor to the Z06, perfect stop gap between models as nearly 400HP is alot between trims.
for babies mind with some money to waste at WC
I miss my 1969 vette convertible. I could fix it in my driveway.
$200k “Dealer Adjustment “.
For something that looks like a “Bicycle Helmet”….
The Mustang GTD is suddenly obsolete and overpriced.
Too bad there are not investing some of this kinda wasted money into Full sized vans like Ford is.
Dealer mark-ups are going to pollute the buying experience.
What is the curb weight?
The ZR1 has a curb weight of 3,831, so I’d expect between 4,000 and 4,100. You have to add the motor and battery and controls, plus the axles.
Magnificent! Corvette has now moved beyond being a super car into hyper car territory. Not to be a Debbie downer, but also expect a Corvette SUV sooner than later.
Wondering what it takes to replace the batteries down the road when they go. I would go with the ICE only ZR1 for that reason alone. The extra 200 hp would not be missed on the street.
It’s only 2 kWh, that’s not a very big battery. It won’t be that expensive to replace.
Why is a new vette so stinking heavy? What happened to the 3200 to 3300 lb vette with a cast iron engine and steel frame.
Absolutely amazing!
Watching video reveals and looking at engineers names (a total smart-ass thought)
If there ever is a Zora:
Why not also name the C9 Z06 The Z06 Frick N/A
With a bit of aftermarket tuning and possibly fuel/exhaust upgrades it would exceed 1250 without the hybrid system. And cut weight besides. Oh well as long as they stick a plug in on the hybrid system it should be able to skip the gas guzzler tax, and , a better idea yet, maybe qualify for a 7500 tax deduction!!!!!
Wits not a hybrid!
Why not activate air. Hopefully they will leave the ZO6 the way it is. If I want 4 wheel drive I’ll take my truck.
Who decided that ZR1X was a better, more memorable name than “Zora”? GM marketing had a golden opportunity to establish another iconic name, Zora, to their stable, but they blew it. Great new Corvette, but disappointing name.
I also wish they called it the Zora, however I sure that I will be happy with the ZR1x when it eventually comes. I waited 3 years for my 2023 Z06 and I will wait for this too assuming I live long enough.