American Hypercar: Chevrolet reveals the 2026 Corvette ZR1X with 1250 HP

Chevrolet has broken a lot of traditions for the C8 generation Corvette. Mid-engine, hybrid, flat-plane V8, those are things were unheard of in the Corvette’s previous generations. Now they’ve done another first, and cranked it up to 11. Or should we say 12?

Say hello to the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – the most extreme production Corvette yet, as Chevrolet combines the hybrid from the E-Ray, and the bonkers LT7 V8 from the ZR1.

The result? An astounding 1250 horsepower hybrid, all-wheel drive Corvette that’s ready to smoke the competition. The bulk comes from the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 1,064 horsepower and 1123 Nm of torque, while the front axle motor delivers an extra 186 horsepower and 197 Nm of torque.

Off the line, GM says the 0 to 100 kph time of the Corvette ZR1X takes less than 2 seconds, with a quarter mile time of under 9 seconds while doing north of 240 km/h. To slow the car down, Chevrolet fitted the ZR1X with Alcon 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers 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 that clamps down the ZR1X to achieve 1.9g of deceleration.

Likewise, Chevrolet is giving options to better handle the ZR1X’s immense power. Those include optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, stiffer springs in the ZTK Performance Package, and a high downforce Carbon Aero package that adds 1,200 lbs of downforce at 375 km/h.

The ZR1X will be built at General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky from U.S. and globally sourced parts, with every LT7 engine hand-assembled by the master engine builders at the Bowling Green Performance Build Center.