First Look – the 2026 Corvette ZR1X Hypercar

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Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) said this morning that it is introducing an all-wheel drive Corvette with the ZR1 designation.* The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is GM rated at 1250 horsepower [footnote 1] and has electrified all-wheel drive. This makes the ZR1X the most advanced Corvette ever. With ZR1 and ZR1X, Chevrolet now has the most powerful American performance car duet of any auto manufacturer. (TF Sport’s No. 81 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Charlie Eastwood, Rui Andrade and Tom Van Rompuy finished on the LMGT3 podium last Sunday in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first podium finish in the world’s biggest sports car racing for the Corvette GT3 program.- AutoCrat)

“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 [3] and delivering world-class performance at every level.”

The ZR1’s LT7 V8, makes more power than any other V8 produced by an American auto manufacturer at 1064 horsepower and 828 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. With a forged flat-plane crankshaft, finger-follower valvetrain, and dry-sump lubrication, this 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.

The Gemini V8 includes:

• Dual 76-mm turbochargers.
• A “maniturbo” exhaust design that combines the manifold and turbocharger housing to get the turbos as close to the exhaust valves as possible, improving throttle response by decreasing time needed to build boost, claims GM.
• Dynamic anti-lag controls maintain turbo speed when off-throttle in certain situations, so boost is available rapidly when throttle is reapplied.

ZR1X

• LT7 twin-turbo V8: 1064 horsepower at 7000 rpm, 828 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm.
• Front-axle motor: 186 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque.
• GM-estimated 0-60: Under 2 seconds.
• GM-estimated ¼ mile: Under 9 seconds, with trap speed over 150 mph. [2]

Where ZR1 embodies the rear-wheel drive precedent set by prior generations, the Corvette team added all-wheel drive capability for a new take on 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. There is no physical connection between the two power sources on ZR1X, and the electrified propulsion system does not require a plug-in – charging takes place through regenerative efforts from the front drive unit.

ZR1X’s battery pack, located low and centralized within the rigid spine of the chassis, was designed specifically to rapidly cycle between applying bursts of power and charging. This robust pack has been evaluated at tracks around the world and conquered Corvette’s 24-hour track durability test. While the battery capacity is 1.9 kWh like E-Ray, the usable energy has grown to provide greater lapping capability. This improvement raises the peak operating voltage, which increases the power output from the front drive unit.

The compact electric motor on the front axle is capable of 186 hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque on demand. While retaining the same shape and size of the E-Ray front drive unit, the ZR1X unit pairs strengthened internal components and improvements in energy deployment to generate an additional 26 hp and 20 lb.-ft. of torque. The front axle is engaged and can apply power through 160 mph before disconnecting, directly benefiting ZR1X’s quarter-mile acceleration stats and on-track balance.

“The eAWD chassis controls system designed for E-Ray has undergone a significant upgrade for ZR1X. With the benefit of experience on this electrified AWD architecture, the development team applied knowledge from E-Ray to solutions specifically for the LT7’s character and capability. The result is evident in on-road drivability and on-track performance. ZR1X is constantly monitoring driver inputs and vehicle conditions to blend power at both axles for responsiveness and traction management,” GM said.

On track, ZR1X uses specialized energy strategies designed to maximize electrified output based on track session demands and driver preferences:

• Endurance – Engaging the Charge+ button adjusts the battery’s energy storage strategy for extended lapping and consistent eAWD output for a full tank of fuel
• Qualifying – Optimum power strategy for the ultimate lap time
• Push-to-Pass – Max available power on-demand

PTM Pro, new for 2026 on all Corvettes, turns off traction and stability control, the following aspects remain active:

• Regen Brake Torque Vectoring – engineered to recover peak energy without sacrificing agility.
• Front Axle Pre-Control – actively manages inside front brake pressure to enable maximum corner-exit traction.
• Launch Control – customizable settings enable rapid acceleration from a rest.

On-Road and at the Track

“The ZR1X balances impressive power with robust brakes specifically developed with this car in mind. The J59 braking package, standard on ZR1X and an option on ZR1, is a clean-sheet design intended for superior heat resistance and ultra-responsive braking. Alcon 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers are mated to 16.5-inch front and rear rotors – the largest diameter rotors ever offered on Corvette. The rotors are carbon ceramic, constructed with continuously woven carbon fiber threads. “This is the most resilient production car braking system we’ve evaluated within GM. And during testing, we saw J59-equipped Corvettes achieve 1.9G of deceleration from 180 to 120 mph,” GM said.

ZR1X is offered in two chassis configurations that both have magnetic ride control (adjusting to the vehicle’s mode, driver inputs and the road surface for optimal control.). The standard chassis, accompanied by Michelin PS4S tires, is said to be a comfortable touring car on-road and a highly capable Corvette at the track. “The optional ZTK Performance Package incorporates higher spring rates and is firmer. Paired with Michelin’s Pilot Cup 2R tires, this is the pinnacle of Corvette performance,” GM said.

Customers can equip the high-downforce Carbon Aero package with a standard chassis ZR1X, adding dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood gurney lip over the front heat extractor and a “highly effective rear wing. This package is capable of 1200 lbs. of downforce at top speed and comes standard on ZTK-equipped cars,” GM said.

*AutoInformed on

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• Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to Pace 109th Indianapolis 500
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• Corvette ZR1 Sets Five Records on U.S. Track Tour
• Chevrolet 2025 Corvette ZR1 Starts at $185,995

Inevitable ZR1X Footnotes

1. 1064 horsepower from the LT7 5.5L V8 engine plus 186 horsepower from the eAWD (electric drive unit).
2. On a closed course only. Based on initial vehicle movement.
3. Assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky of U.S., and globally sourced parts.