The 2026 Corvette ZR1X Is A 1,250-HP AWD Monster, An American Hypercar

Corvette fans, it’s time to recalibrate your expectations, because the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is here, and it’s unlike anything the bowtie brand has ever built. With an earth-shaking 1,250 horsepower and electrified all-wheel drive, this is the first Corvette to fully embrace hypercar status, and it’s 100% American muscle.

At the heart of the ZR1X is the new LT7 twin-turbo 5.5L V8, hand-built and tuned to produce 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. And that’s just what’s happening at the rear wheels. Up front? An electric motor delivering another 186 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, all working together to launch the ZR1X from 0 to 60 in under 2 seconds and through the quarter-mile in less than 9 seconds.

“From day one, we designed the mid-engine Corvette architecture with ZR1X in mind,” said General Motors senior VP Ken Morris. “This is the most revolutionary platform in Corvette history, supporting the widest range of American sports cars3 and delivering world-class performance at every level.”

The LT7 doesn’t just use brute force, it uses brains. This V8 is fitted with dual 76-mm turbos and a cutting-edge “maniturbo” exhaust design that integrates the manifold and turbo housing to keep those turbos spinning faster and closer to the engine. There’s also a clever anti-lag system that keeps turbo speed up even when you lift off the throttle, so it’s always ready to throw you back into your seat.

If you’re wondering where the ZR1X lands in the Corvette hierarchy, think of it this way: the ZR1 still holds it down as a rear-wheel-drive beast, but the ZR1X brings electric precision to the fight. It borrows its electric front-drive foundation from the 2024 E-Ray but upgrades it for even harder launches, sharper control, and more sustained power on track.

The Corvette ZR1X’s electric front motor engages up to 160 mph and helps get all that power to the pavement, delivering faster acceleration and greater grip out of corners. The compact battery, tucked low in the chassis, provides 1.9 kWh of capacity—small, but mighty. And unlike plug-in hybrids, there’s no cord needed; it recharges itself through regenerative braking.

The ZR1X even adds 26 more horsepower and 20 more lb-ft of torque from the front motor compared to the E-Ray, all thanks to upgraded internals and new energy deployment software.

Chevy’s engineers built a smarter, more aggressive AWD system just for the Corvette ZR1X. It continuously blends torque between the front and rear axles based on driving conditions and your inputs.

Want more control? Three track-focused drive modes let you choose your preference:

• Endurance Mode: Press the Charge+ button and the battery optimizes energy delivery for long stints on the track.
• Qualifying Mode: Maxes out the power for the best possible lap time.
• Push-to-Pass: Instant electric boost whenever you need it most.

The new PTM Pro (Performance Traction Management) system gives even more control with Regen Brake Torque Vectoring, Front Axle Pre-Control, and customizable Launch Control, all while traction and stability control are completely off. In short, it’s designed to let you hang it out on the edge without falling off it.

Stopping is just as important as going fast, and the ZR1X doesn’t skimp on brakes. The new J59 braking package features 10-piston front and 6-piston rear Alcon calipers clamping down on 16.5-inch carbon ceramic rotors, the largest ever on a Corvette.

During testing, GM saw J59-equipped Corvettes achieve 1.9G of deceleration from 180 to 120 mph, proving to be the most resilient production car braking system tested within GM.

The Corvette ZR1X is offered in two chassis configurations that both feature magnetic ride control- adjusting to the vehicle’s mode, driver inputs and the road surface for optimal control. The standard chassis, accompanied by Michelin PS4S tires, makes for a comfortable touring car on-road and a highly capable Corvette at the track. The available ZTK Performance Package incorporates higher spring rates and is firmer. Paired with the grip of Michelin’s Pilot Cup 2R tires, this is the pinnacle of Corvette performance.

Customers can equip the high-downforce Carbon Aero package to a standard chassis ZR1X, adding dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood gurney lip over the front heat extractor and a highly effective rear wing. This package is capable of 1,200 lbs of downforce at top speed and comes standard on ZTK-equipped cars.

The new ZR1X gets the same newly redesigned interior revealed last month, including a slick three-screen setup, a revised center console, new materials, and updated color options. The built-in Performance App gives you real-time telemetry, so you can nerd out on data between laps or post it straight to your socials.

Like every Corvette, the ZR1X will be offered as a coupe or hardtop convertible, and it will be built in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with every LT7 engine hand-assembled at the Performance Build Center.

The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is an all-American answer to European hypercars, except it doesn’t just sit pretty in a garage. It’s built to be driven hard, whether you’re commuting, carving canyons, or hunting lap records. With electrified AWD, insane power, and race-ready tech, this is the most extreme Corvette ever.

Chevrolet hasn’t announced pricing yet, but it’s safe to say that it’ll probably be around $200K or so to start, which is a bargain compared to other hypercars out there. Heck, it looks like it’s even going to outshine the considerably more expensive $325K+ Mustang GTD as well!

What do you think of the 2026 Corvette ZR1X?