Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds.

Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds.

      Chevrolet

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      This is the significant one. We're all hesitant about exaggerations, but honestly, everything in the Corvette's past has led up to this moment. It represents the pinnacle of the mid-engine Corvette concept that has been envisioned since the 1960s—but don't label it a Zora. Its name is ZR1X, delivering an astonishing 1,250 horsepower from a twin-turbo, 5.5-liter V8, coupled with a more powerful variant of the hybrid all-wheel drive system found in the E-Ray. The specifications don't end there, so let's continue.

      Chevrolet projects that actual customers, under real-world conditions, will achieve 60 miles per hour in under two seconds. Following that, they could complete a quarter-mile in less than nine seconds, with a trap speed exceeding 150 mph. All of the brand’s promotional material uses phrases like “hypercar this” and “hypercar that,” but in this instance, it holds true.

      All aspects related to the flat-plane crank LT7 V8 are borrowed from the standard ZR1, including its 76-millimeter turbos. The internal combustion engine independently produces 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque, meaning that the front electric drive unit adds an additional 186 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Notably, this power augmentation is larger than the difference between the E-Ray and the standard Corvette Stingray, due to Chevy enhancing the drive unit for the ZR1X. Both models share a battery capacity of 1.9 kilowatt-hours, but the usable capacity has been increased to offer more power.

      The premier Corvette's electric motor disconnects at 160 mph en route to a top speed of 233 mph, but what it achieves prior to that is significant. Chevrolet has integrated several methodologies adapted from IndyCar to enhance its performance. One feature is the ZR1X’s push-to-pass mode, which allows for maximum power delivery from the electric battery on demand. Additionally, there are two other modes: Qualifying, which fine-tunes the power strategy for optimal lap times, and Endurance, which Chevrolet claims “modifies the battery’s energy storage strategy for prolonged lapping and consistent eAWD output throughout a full tank of fuel.” Smart.

      Chevy is introducing a new drive setting called PTM Pro across all 2026 Corvettes, including the ZR1X. This setting disables traction control and stability control, while launch control remains active. It incorporates front axle pre-control, actively managing the brake pressure on the inside front wheel to maximize corner-exit traction.

      Regarding brakes, the ZR1X features exceptionally large brakes. The car is standard equipped with Chevy’s J59 braking package (optional on the regular ZR1), which includes 10-piston Alcon front brake calipers, six-piston rear calipers, and 16.5-inch carbon-ceramic rotors on all wheels. Engineers reportedly recorded 1.9G of deceleration while braking from 180 to 120 mph. Though I can't speak from experience, for comparison, that is similar to the deceleration of a Formula 3 race car.

      You have the option to choose the ZR1X with either the standard chassis or the ZTK Performance package. The standard version is more suitable for on-road driving, featuring less extreme aerodynamics and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, while the ZTK package is tailored for track use, boasting Pilot Cup 2R tires, higher spring rates, and a Gurney lip over the front heat extractor. Additionally, don't overlook the substantial rear wing, which helps ZTK Performance models generate 1,200 pounds of downforce.

      Chevy hasn't disclosed the price of the ZR1X yet, so we will need to wait until production gets closer for that information. The standard ZR1 starts at $174,995 after destination charges, making it reasonable to expect the ZR1X will surpass $210,000. The E-Ray begins at $38,600 more than the Stingray, and it wouldn't be surprising if the difference between the ZR1 and ZR1X is even greater. Regardless, it will likely be significantly cheaper than the $2 million McLaren W1, which produces just 25 more horsepower.

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Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds. Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds.

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Zora Is Here: The Chevy Corvette ZR1X boasts 1,250 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 2 seconds.

Chevrolet put forth their utmost effort with the ZR1X, enhancing the twin-turbo LT7 V8 with a more robust variant of the E-Ray's hybrid all-wheel drive system.