Teased only a few days ago, Chevrolet has now fully unveiled the latest addition to the Corvette lineup: the 2026 Corvette ZR1X. GM Senior Vice President Ken Morris stated, “From day one, we designed the mid-engined Corvette architecture with the ZR1X in mind.” With this new trim level, the ZR1 and ZR1X form the most powerful American performance duo offered by any automaker.

Chevrolet is calling this Corvette “America’s Hypercar,” and for good reason. It starts with the ZR1’s LT7 V8 engine, producing a staggering 1,064 horsepower and 728 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. This hand-built 5.5-liter Gemini small-block V8 was developed alongside the naturally aspirated flat-plane crankshaft engines found in the Corvette Z06 and the Z06 GT3.R race car. It features dual 76-mm turbochargers, a “maniturbo” exhaust design, and dynamic anti-lag controls.

While the standard ZR1 remains rear-wheel drive like every Corvette before it, the ZR1X introduces all-wheel-drive capability, thanks to the foundation laid by the E-Ray. In the ZR1X, the V8 engine is paired with an electric motor powering the front axle, with no mechanical connection between the two systems. The electric propulsion system is self-sustaining and does not require plug-in charging—its energy is recovered through regenerative efforts from the front drive unit.

The front electric motor retains the same form factor as the one used in the E-Ray, but with strengthened internals and refined energy deployment. It now delivers 186 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque on demand. The battery pack is mounted centrally along the vehicle’s rigid chassis spine. The combination of electric and V8 power results in an astonishing 1,250 horsepower, with a GM-estimated 0–60 mph time of under 2 seconds. The enhanced eAWD chassis control system, originally developed for the E-Ray, continuously monitors driver inputs and road conditions, delivering a balance of comfort on the street and immense performance on the track.

With all that power, serious stopping performance is a must. The J59 braking package, standard on the ZR1X, features the largest diameter rotors ever fitted to a Corvette: Alcon 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers clamping down on 16.5-inch rotors at all four corners. This setup is the most resilient braking system GM has ever tested on a production vehicle, capable of generating 1.9 Gs of deceleration from 180 to 120 mph.

The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is as much a grand touring machine as it is a straight-line monster and track-day weapon. Like every model in the Corvette lineup, it will be available as either a coupe or a hardtop convertible. Every ZR1X will be proudly built in America at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky, with each LT7 engine hand-assembled at the Bowling Green Performance Center. Pricing and availability will be announced closer to the start of production.