2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is a hybrid monster

The most brutal Corvette the world has ever known debuted in the US overnight, packing a monstrous 932kW more than 1250Nm of torque from a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 hybrid system.

Once tipped to be called the Zora, the model in question is the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X and odds are it won’t be coming to Australia seeing as the standard ZR1 isn’t in GMSV’s current product plan.

Nevertheless, the ZR1X has been dubbed “a true American hypercar” by its creators, launching from 0-97km/h in less than two seconds and supposedly dispatching a standing quarter-mile in under nine.

The recipe for this ballistic performance is an amalgamation of the ZR1’s formidable twin-turbo LT7 V8 and the E-Ray’s plugless single-motor hybrid system… albeit with a few upgrades.

The untouched flat-plane V8 (793kW/1123Nm) still drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission while the now 139kW/197Nm e-motor – new internals, software and higher voltage – powers the front axle to yield the second-ever all-paw Corvette.

Powering the motor is a 1.9kWh battery pack offering more usable energy than the E-Ray and specifically designed to rapidly cycle between applying bursts of power and charging.

Helping keep the electrified beastie on the tarmac is an evolved version of the E-Ray’s eAWD chassis control system while three ‘energy strategies’ – Endurance, Qualifying, Push-to-Pass – help tailor the powertrain for the task at hand on the track.

New to all 2026 Corvettes is the PTM Pro drive mode that turns off all the electronic driver aids save for the launch control and torque vectoring systems, though the ZR1X steps this up with regenerative braking torque vectoring and front axle pre-control, the latter of which “actively manages inside front brake pressure to enable maximum corner-exit traction”.

Counteracting the immense powertrain is an equally impressive braking packing comprising 10-piston front and six-piston rear calipers, each acting on 419mm carbon-ceramic rotors – the biggest stoppers fitted to a factory Corvette yet.

Customers will be able to choose from two different adaptive chassis set-ups, each featuring magnetic ride control dampers but differing in their tuning and OEM-fitted tyre: the standard set-up rides on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S’ while the ZTK Performance Package nabs Pilot Cup 2Rs and firmer springs.

Both versions can be optioned with the Carbon Aero Package that adds lightweight dive planes, underbody strakes, a bonnet gurney lip over the front heat extractor and a fixed rear wing that combine to generate 544kg of downforce “at top speed”… which is TBC.

US pricing and finer specification details will be announced later in the year.

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