Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X created to take on hypercars

The most advanced Corvette builds on the bonkers ZR1 and adds an electric motor for even more oomph.

2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X front — *The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X has 1,250 hp. – GM Canada photo*

When Chevrolet launched the Corvette ZR1 last year, it was intended to take on the supercars of the world.

Well, a year later, the folks at Chevy appear not to be satisfied with challenging just supercars anymore; they’ve launched the ZR1X to go up against a higher stratosphere of automotive performance – hypercars.

The automaker even calls the newly launched 2026 Corvette ZR1X a true North American hypercar.

The ZR1X is described as the most advanced and most powerful Corvette ever, which is not an easy task considering the ZR1 is already an incredible achievement.

The new Corvette shares the same twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1,064 hp and 828 lb.-ft. of torque as the ZR1, and adds a front-axle electric motor, taken from the Corvette E-Ray but with more power, 186 hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque, for even greater power.

Essentially, the new car is a plug-in hybrid version of the ZR1.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X coupe — *The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X can be had as a coupe, as seen here, or convertible. – GM Canada photo*

The car, available as a coupe or convertible, has a total system output of 1,250 hp and all-wheel drive thanks to the front e-motor.

To compare that to other recently launched hypercars, the Ferrari F80 has 1,184 hp, and the McLaren W1 has 1,258 hp – both are hybrids.

Chevrolet hasn’t provided a price for the ZR1X, but it’s likely to be a relative bargain compared to its competitors just as the ZR1 is a bargain compared to other supercars.

“From Day 1, we designed the mid-engine Corvette architecture with ZR1X in mind,” said General Motors senior vice president Ken Morris in a news release. “This is the most revolutionary platform in Corvette history, supporting the widest range of American sports cars and delivering world-class performance at every level.”

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X convertible top down view — *This Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X convertible features the Asymmetrical Adrenaline Red interior. – GM Canada photo*

Performance

GM estimates the car will accelerate from zero to 96 km/h (60 mph) in less than two seconds.

More impressive still is the car’s estimated quarter-mile run, with GM anticipating a sub-nine-second run with a trap speed of more than 241 km/h.

The team creating the ZR1X already benefited from the learnings of building the E-Ray, which is the first all-wheel-drive Corvette ever made.

Asymmetrical Adrenaline Red seats on Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X — *The Asymmetrical Adrenaline Red interior option gives the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X seats with different colours. – GM Canada photo*

The car’s battery pack is located low and centralized in the spine of the chassis. It was created to rapidly cycle between providing bursts of power and charging. The team tested this pack at tracks around the world and even in a 24-hour track durability test.

The battery capacity is 1.9 kWh, same as in the E-Ray, but it has more usable energy, which allowed engineers to raise peak operating voltage and thus increase the power output of the front drive unit.

This front-axle drive unit gets 26 additional horses and 20 lb.-ft. of torque compared to the one powering the E-Ray.

The e-motor can provide power up to 257 km/h before disconnecting.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X wheels and brakes — *The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X has the biggest brakes ever fitted in a Corvette. – GM Canada photo*

Impressive brakes

Chevrolet said the ZR1X comes standard with the J59 braking package, which is optional on the ZR1, which provides heat-resistant and ultra-responsive braking.

Front calipers have 10 pistons and the rears have six with front and rear brake rotors measuring 16.5 inches, the largest diameter brakes ever offered in a Corvette. The rotors are carbon ceramic with continuously woven carbon fibre threads.

Chevrolet said J59-equipped Corvettes were able to achieve 1.9G of deceleration from 289 km/h to 192 km/h.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X two cars — *The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X can be had with a standard chassis setup or with the ZTK Performance Package. – GM Canada photo*

Chassis package

The ZR1X can be had with a standard chassis setup, which Chevrolet said makes it a comfortable touring car and highly capable on the track.

Or, the car can be had with the ZTK Performance Package, which is firmer and includes higher spring rates.

The ZTK also gets Michelin’s Pilot Cup 2R tires, compared to the Michelin PS4S tires on the standard chassis, for even higher performance.

Standard on the ZTK-equipped cars and optional on the standard chassis cars is the Carbon Aero package, which increases downforce. At top speed, it adds 1,200 pounds of downforce, the automaker said.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X interior — *All Corvettes get an updated interior for 2026. – GM Canada photo*

Chevrolet updated the interior of all Corvettes for the 2026 model year, which the new ZR1X will also benefit from.

This new cockpit includes three screens, including a small one on the left side of the steering wheel.

Pricing and market availability details will be announced at a future date.

For updates, visit the Chevrolet Canada website.