General Motors unveiled its most powerful production car ever Tuesday, introducing the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X with a combined 1,250 horsepower that the automaker says can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under two seconds.
The ZR1X represents GM's answer to European hypercars, combining the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 from the existing ZR1 with an enhanced version of the hybrid all-wheel-drive system from the Corvette E-Ray. Priced north of $200,000, the car aims to deliver hypercar performance at a fraction of competitors' costs.
The ZR1X's 1,064-horsepower LT7 V8 engine remains unchanged from the standard ZR1, but Chevrolet engineers increased the front electric motor's output to 186 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, up from the E-Ray's 160 horsepower and 125 pound-feet12. The combination enables quarter-mile times under nine seconds with trap speeds exceeding 150 mph, according to GM estimates13.
The electric motor disconnects at 160 mph as the car approaches its 233 mph top speed1. Chevrolet developed three specialized energy management modes: push-to-pass for maximum power on demand, qualifying for ultimate lap times, and endurance for extended track sessions12.
Unlike traditional all-wheel-drive systems, the ZR1X has no mechanical connection between the rear-mounted V8 and the front electric motor12. The car uses the same 1.9-kilowatt-hour battery as the E-Ray but with increased usable capacity through higher peak operating voltage2.
Chevrolet introduced a new PTM Pro drive setting across all 2026 Corvettes that eliminates traction and stability control while maintaining launch control capability3. The ZR1X comes standard with Chevrolet's J59 braking package, featuring massive carbon-ceramic rotors that engineers say can generate 1.9G of deceleration when slowing from 180 to 120 mph3.
The announcement comes as the regular ZR1, revealed last year with 1,064 horsepower, finally enters production after delays related to carbon fiber aero packages12. GM has positioned the ZR1 against competitors including the Ferrari SF90 and Lamborghini Revuelto, which produce similar power but cost significantly more3.
"From day one, we designed the mid-engine Corvette architecture with ZR1X in mind," said GM senior vice president Ken Morris4. Despite widespread speculation, Chevrolet chose not to name the car Zora, despite having trademarked that name in honor of legendary Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov5.
