Chevrolet has taken the best bits of its existing Corvettes and enhanced them to make a wild 932kW electrified twin-turbo V8 hypercar that’s claimed to blast to 60mph (96km/h) in under two seconds.
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X combines the ZR1’s 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8 with a front-mounted electric motor like that seen in the E-Ray.
This makes it the first ZR1-badged ‘Vette with all-wheel drive.
The hand-assembled V8 produces 793kW of power at 7000rpm and 1123Nm of torque at 6000rpm, while the electric motor produces 139kW and 197Nm.
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Total power is therefore up by 149kW over the ZR1, while its 0-60mph time is several tenths of a second quicker – the ZR1 does the dash in 2.3 seconds with its ZTK Performance Package, or 2.5 seconds without.
Like other C8 Corvettes, the engine is mounted midship and is mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
We’ve contacted GM Australia and New Zealand to confirm if the ZR1X is coming here. We currently get all C8 Corvettes in factory right-hand drive bar the ZR1, which is only produced in left-hand drive.
The ZR1X’s V8 was developed alongside the naturally aspirated flat-plane crank engines powering the Z06 and Z06 GT3.R race car.
It features dual 76mm turbochargers, while Chevrolet engineers have positioned the turbos as close to the exhaust valves as possible to decrease the time needed to build boost and therefore improve throttle response.
Dynamic anti-lag controls will maintain turbo speed when off-throttle to ensure boost is “available rapidly” when throttle is reapplied.
The ZR1X features a 1.9kWh battery like the E-Ray, also centralised within the spine of the chassis, but Chevrolet says it has expanded the amount of usable energy to provide greater lapping capability.
The front drive unit has the same shape and size as that in the E-Ray, but engineers have strengthened the motor to generate an additional 19kW and 27Nm. It can apply power at up to 258km/h before disconnecting.
There’s no physical connection between the engine and the electric drive unit.
Chevrolet says the eAWD chassis control system of the E-Ray has been upgraded for the ZR1X to match the more powerful engine.
There are “specialised energy strategies” intended to maximise electrified output for track driving.
Pressing the Charge+ button activates Endurance mode, adjusting the battery’s energy storage strategy for extended lapping and consistent output, while there’s also a Qualifying mode and a Push-to-Pass function to ensure maximum power is available on-demand.
A new PTM Pro mode introduced for model year 2026 (MY26) Corvettes turns off traction and stability control but allows you to still use launch control, the regen brake torque vectoring function, and what’s called Front Axle Pre-Control which actively manages inside front brake pressure to ensure maximum traction when exiting a corner.
The ZR1’s optional J59 braking package is standard on the ZR1X, bringing Alcon 10-piston front and six-piston rear calipers mated to 16.5-inch front and rear carbon-ceramic rotors with continuously woven carbon-fibre threads.
Magnetic Ride Control is standard, as are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The ZTK Performance Package brings Michelin Pilot Cup 2R tyres.
An optional Carbon Aero package adds dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood gurney lip over the front heat extractor, and a sizeable rear wing.
Altogether, this package brings a claimed 544kg of downforce.
Like the rest of the C8 range, the ZR1X will be offered as either a coupe or convertible.
It features the revised interior revealed in May that includes, among other changes, a larger 12.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 6.6-inch auxiliary touchscreen, a redesigned centre console, and repositioned switchgear.
Chevrolet is calling the ZR1X the “ultimate expression” of its C8 Corvette, and an “all-day comfortable tourer, straight-line rocket, and racetrack weapon, all in one”.
It’s unlikely there will be a more powerful variant to slot in above it.
The ZR1X had been rumoured to wear the Zora name, after former Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov whose ashes were interred at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
