Chevrolet has taken the very best bits of its current Corvettes and enhanced them to make a wild 932kW electrified twin-turbo V8 hypercar that’s claimed to blast to 60mph (96km/h) in underneath two seconds.
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X combines the ZR1’s 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8 with a front-mounted electrical motor like that seen within the E-Ray.
This makes it the primary ZR1-badged ‘Vette with all-wheel drive.
The hand-assembled V8 produces 793kW of energy at 7000rpm and 1123Nm of torque at 6000rpm, whereas the electrical motor produces 139kW and 197Nm.
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Whole energy is due to this fact up by 149kW over the ZR1, whereas its 0-60mph time is a number of tenths of a second faster – the ZR1 does the sprint in 2.3 seconds with its ZTK Efficiency Package deal, or 2.5 seconds with out.
Like different C8 Corvettes, the engine is mounted midship and is mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission.
We’ve contacted GM Australia and New Zealand to substantiate if the ZR1X is coming right here. We at the moment get all C8 Corvettes in manufacturing facility right-hand drive bar the ZR1, which is barely 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 automotive.
It options twin 76mm turbochargers, whereas Chevrolet engineers have positioned the turbos as near the exhaust valves as doable to lower the time wanted to construct increase and due to this fact enhance throttle response.
Dynamic anti-lag controls will keep turbo velocity when off-throttle to make sure increase is “obtainable quickly” when throttle is reapplied.
The ZR1X incorporates a 1.9kWh battery just like the E-Ray, additionally centralised inside the backbone of the chassis, however Chevrolet says it has expanded the quantity of usable vitality to offer larger lapping functionality.
The entrance drive unit has the identical form and measurement as that within the E-Ray, however engineers have strengthened the motor to generate an extra 19kW and 27Nm. It could possibly apply energy at as much as 258km/h earlier than disconnecting.
There’s no bodily connection between the engine and the electrical drive unit.
Chevrolet says the eAWD chassis management system of the E-Ray has been upgraded for the ZR1X to match the extra highly effective engine.
There are “specialised vitality methods” supposed to maximise electrified output for monitor driving.
Urgent the Cost+ button prompts Endurance mode, adjusting the battery’s vitality storage technique for prolonged lapping and constant output, whereas there’s additionally a Qualifying mode and a Push-to-Cross perform to make sure most energy is offered on-demand.
A brand new PTM Professional mode launched for mannequin 12 months 2026 (MY26) Corvettes turns off traction and stability management however permits you to nonetheless use launch management, the regen brake torque vectoring perform, and what’s known as Entrance Axle Pre-Management which actively manages inside entrance brake stress to make sure most traction when exiting a nook.
The ZR1’s non-compulsory J59 braking package deal is customary on the ZR1X, bringing Alcon 10-piston entrance and six-piston rear calipers mated to 16.5-inch entrance and rear carbon-ceramic rotors with constantly woven carbon-fibre threads.
Magnetic Experience Management is customary, as are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The ZTK Efficiency Package deal brings Michelin Pilot Cup 2R tyres.
An non-compulsory Carbon Aero package deal provides dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood gurney lip over the entrance warmth extractor, and a sizeable rear wing.
Altogether, this package deal brings a claimed 544kg of downforce.
Like the remainder of the C8 vary, the ZR1X will probably be supplied as both a coupe or convertible.
It options the revised inside revealed in Might that features, amongst different modifications, a bigger 12.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 6.6-inch auxiliary touchscreen, a redesigned centre console, and repositioned switchgear.
Chevrolet is asking the ZR1X the “final expression” of its C8 Corvette, and an “all-day snug tourer, straight-line rocket, and racetrack weapon, multi function”.
It’s unlikely there will probably be a extra highly effective variant to fit in above it.
The ZR1X had been rumoured to put on the Zora title, after former Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov whose ashes have been interred on the Nationwide Corvette Museum in Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky.
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