The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X stands as the most expensive vehicle ever produced by the workshop. The ZR1X features a more advanced E-Ray hybrid system, complemented by the standard ZR1’s 1064-hp twin-turbo LT7 V-8 engine, resulting in a total of 1,250 horsepower. Chevy wants to ship the ZR1X by the end of 2025, so you can get one sooner than you think.We’ll tell you the price later. Remember the year 2019? Of course, you do. That year, Chevrolet ended production of the Corvette with a front-mounted engine. While the small-block V-8 engine located behind the driver maintained a familiar core, the introduction of the mid-engined C8 generation brought a complete transformation. The Corvette E-Ray was the first Corvette to feature both hybrid and all-wheel-drive capabilities. It was introduced for the 2024 model year and marked another departure from tradition. The Z06 built the way for the 1064-hp twin-turbo ZR1, which shocked everyone with its innovative 5.5-liter V-8 flat-plane crank. Due to all of this, the 2026 Chevy Corvette ZR1X was developed. For people who didn’t like the hybrid AWD E-Ray, the new X-rated Vette might be the worst thing that’s happened in a generation. In addition, Chevrolet says it is their most innovative production car yet. The ZR1X is the Corvette Zora we’ve been waiting for since the C8 Corvette came out, even though it has a new name. The ZR1X features a more powerful electric motor than the Corvette E-Ray and the LT7 V-8 from the ZR1. This is what was planned. What will happen? A hybrid Corvette can produce an impressive 1,250 horsepower with all-wheel drive. Most of the power (1064 horsepower) comes from the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 engine, which is sent to the rear axle by an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Like everything else about the ZR1X, the electric propulsion has been improved. Nonetheless, the E-Ray’s electric motor remains positioned on the front axle. The battery had the same 1.9-kWh gross capacity as the E-Ray, but it had 29% more usable energy, which let Chevy boost power and peak operating voltage. Not only does the ZR1X’s front-drive motor rev at 1000 rpm more than the E-Ray’s (17,000 vs. 16000), but it also makes 186 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The power of the electric motor also lasts longer, and the front axle now disconnects at 160 mph, up from 150 mph, as it did on the E-Ray. When you speed up, rear-drive ZR1s are already bold. If you keep your foot on the gas, you can keep accelerating above 1.0 g until you reach 85 miles per hour. With all-wheel drive, the ZR1X is expected to have very fast acceleration numbers. Chevy claims its cars can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds and have a top speed exceeding 150 mph. They are also capable of completing a standing quarter-mile in under 9.0 seconds. Also, you should clean your tires first because those numbers are said to be possible in an area that hasn’t been prepared. The ZR1X is more than just a dragster, even though those numbers are pretty cool. For the ZR1X, Chevrolet engineers made major changes to the E-Ray’s eAWD chassis control system. Chevy claims that the ZR1X can pull 1.0 g in both longitudinal and lateral directions simultaneously. Avoid eating a heavy lunch if you want to push further. The Charge+ button on the E-Ray has been relocated from the side of the center panel to the steering wheel, making it easier to reach. A new push-to-pass feature has also been added, allowing all 1,250 horsepower of the engine to be utilized. To turn it on, you must be in one of the Performance Traction Management settings and be brave enough to press down on the gas, hit the cruise control button, and prepare for a thrilling experience. In our most recent review of a 2025 ZR1, we were disappointed with the changes to the brakes, which did not match the LT7’s amazing power. Chevrolet introduced a completely new set of brakes, known internally as the J59 package. This may have been in answer to their complaints. The new package has the biggest discs that have ever been offered on a Corvette. The front and rear rotors measure 16.5 inches and are linked to Alcon brakes, featuring 10 pistons in the front and six pistons in the rear. Chevy claims that the carbon ceramic rotors, which are made of carbon fiber threads woven together continuously, can slow a car from 180 mph to 120 mph with 1.9 g of deceleration. Standard on the ZR1X are J59 brakes, and starting in 2026, they will also be standard on the ZR1. The ZR1X is released simultaneously with GM’s new PTM Pro mode, which will be available on all 2026 Corvettes. Traction and stability control are disabled when PTM Pro is enabled, but the ZR1X’s launch control, front axle pre-control, and regen brake torque vectoring remain active. ZR1X models are identical to ZR1 cars, featuring rear-wheel drive. The ride on the basic model is smoother, and it comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The ZTK Performance Package, which is optional, comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, a stiffer ride, and faster spring rates. The Carbon Aero kit comes with dive planes, underbody strakes, a Gurney lip that goes on the hood, and a rear wing the size of a surfboard. In the ZR1X, any hypercar name could be disastrous. This is because the ZR1X’s cabin is identical to that of all 2026 Corvettes despite being very luxurious in other areas. The HVAC settings used to be on a wall of controls that ran throughout the C8 Vette family. Now, they are on the dashboard below the center screen. Additionally, the Corvette now features three screens. A 12.7-inch tablet is positioned in the center of the new digital gauge cluster, which measures 14.0 inches across. You can access the PTM settings and the head-up display through a new 6.6-inch touchscreen located on the left side of the gauge cluster. Chevrolet hasn’t announced the price of the ZR1X yet, but it’s likely to be the most expensive Corvette ever. Some people think that having a car worth more than $250,000 is worthwhile, even if the Corvette can complete the quarter-mile in less than 9.0 seconds. Although some people have said negative things about Chevy, we are confident that it will attract many buyers who want hypercar performance at a significantly lower price. Chevy said that it hopes to start making the ZR1X later this year and have cars for sale by the end of 2025. This gives us a good idea of when the cars will be available.
