Last year, Chevy broke the internet when it unveiled its Corvette ZR1, featuring the most powerful V8 ever made in the U.S., producing 1,064hp and 828lb.ft of torque (and reviving the old-school split-window design while they were at it). Now, the classic staple of the American automotive industry just got even more powerful with the ZR1X (note the “X”), which adds a front-axle electric motor to bring the total power to a whopping 1,250hp.
The Gemini Gets a Front-Wheel Partner
Since the C8’s mid-engine transformation shook up tradition in 2020, we’ve watched Chevy systematically redefine what their flagship could be. The E-Ray introduced hybrid all-wheel drive in 2024, the Z06 brought flat-plane exotic DNA, and the ZR1 delivered hypercar power at sports car prices. The ZR1X feels like the natural next step to all that experimentation by leveraging electrification without losing the ‘Vette’s combustion spirit.
Carrying over the magnificent LT7 twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 from the ZR1 — still hand-assembled in Bowling Green, KY — the Chevy’s engineers completely recalibrated the E-Ray’s hybrid system for the ZR1X and now the front electric motor now produces 186hp and 145lb-ft (up from the E-Ray’s 160hp and 125lb-ft).
Keith Badgley, the lead development engineer, described this as “the most sophisticated software that GM had developed.” The ZR1X was breaking traction at 160mph during testing, which wasn’t an issue with the E-Ray. So they had to extend the front motor’s engagement from 150mph to 160mph just to keep it active through a full quarter-mile run.
The eAWD system here isn’t just about putting power down off the line (though it does that exceptionally well with Chevy claiming an “under 2 seconds” 0-to-60 time). It’s been engineered to provide what they call “1G of both lateral and longitudinal acceleration simultaneously,” meaning you can corner and accelerate at the same time while pulling serious g-forces.
Three Flavors of Fury
Rather than just throwing all 1,250 horses at you constantly, the ZR1X offers three distinct energy deployment levels, or driving modes. Endurance Mode optimizes battery management for longer track sessions, Qualifying Mode maximizes everything for a lap-by-lap approach, and Push-to-Pass delivers maximum available power on demand through the cruise control switch.
The chassis gets the same treatment. Magnetic ride control adapts constantly, while the new PTM Pro Mode (debuting across all 2026 Corvettes) was essentially designed with the ZR1X in mind. It disables stability and traction control while keeping launch control, regenerative brake torque vectoring, and front axle pre-control active, so that you can have the same pure driving experience without completely removing the safety net.
Stopping Power to Match
At 16.5” in both front and rear with 10-piston front calipers (a GM first), the massive J59 brakes represent a clean-sheet design specifically for the ZR1X as well. The carbon-ceramic rotors use continuously woven carbon fiber threads for better heat management, and during testing at Nürburgring, engineers recorded 1.9G of deceleration from 180 to 120mph, which would certainly wake you up a bit to say the least.
Stealth Mode Hypercar
Visually, the ZR1X plays it surprisingly subtlely. Beyond the “X” badging and slightly different nose cooling, you’d be hard-pressed to spot one in traffic unless you knew what to look for. Of course, considering all the work Chevy has put into making this an absolute beast, this hypercar is designed for the track, first and foremost. However, once you add the ZTK Performance Package with its massive rear wing and Carbon Aero components, subtlety goes out the window.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
Engine: 5.5L twin-turbo LT7 V8
Electric Motor: Front-axle unit
Power: 1,064hp & 828lb.ft of torque from V8, 186hp & 145lb.ft of torque from electric motor
Combined Output: 1,250hp, torque unspecified
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drive: All-wheel drive (rear engine, front electric)
0-60 mph: Under 2.0 seconds (estimated)
Quarter-mile: Under 9.0 seconds at 150+ mph (estimated)
Top Speed: 233mph (limited by aero)
Body Styles: Coupe and convertible
Pricing & Availability
Chevy hasn’t released official pricing yet, but expect the ZR1X to start somewhere north of $200,000 based on the premium over the standard ZR1’s $175,000 starting price. Production begins later this year with customer deliveries planned for late 2025.
Recap
2026 Chevy Corvette ZR1X Hypercar
Chevy added a front-axle electric motor to its already top-of-the-line ZR1 Corvette to make a 1,250hp hybrid hypercar called the ZR1X.
