When Chevrolet relaunched the Stingray back in 2020, it pushed into entirely new territory with a first-ever mid-engine version of “America’s sports car,” pouring out as much as 495 horsepower. Of course, anyone who’s followed the history of the ‘Vette over the decades is well aware that the bowtie brand routinely rolls out a series of ever more exotic machines.

　　As if the mid-engine C8 — or eighth-generation Corvette — wasn’t unique enough in its own right, Chevy brought out a hybrid package a couple of years ago. And its only now bringing out what might normally be thought of as the “ultimate” Corvette, the ZR1. But rumors have been circulating for some time that there was something even more extreme in the works.

　　(Photo/Chevrolet) Meet the new Corvette ZR1X. What Chevy calls “a true American hypercar” is what you get when you take an even more charged-up version of the E-Rays hybrid drive system and pair it with the ZR1’s hand-built 5.5L Gemini small-block V8.

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

　　(Photo/Chevrolet) The package makes truly jaw-dropping numbers, punching out a combined 1,250 horsepower, enough to launch the two-seat sports car from 0 to 60 in “under 2 seconds,” according to Chevrolet. That’s enough to blow exotic imports like the Bugatti Chiron and Porsche 911 GT3 out of the water.

　　But it’s more than just straight-line speed that is likely to impress performance fans. Even the “base” Stingray version of today’s Corvette offers the sort of handling one would never have expected in prior generations. Much of that is due to the fundamental dynamics of its mid-engine layout. With ZR1X, the Corvette not only gets a couple of hundred more horsepower but sends it out to all four wheels.

　　ZR1X Powertrain

　　(Photo/Chevrolet) “You can take advantage of the torque on the front axle to dig you out of a corner,” Cody Bulkley, Corvette’s chief chassis control engineer, explained during a media background briefing ahead of the public debut of the ZR1X.

　　Like the ZR1 — minus X — the new ‘Vette variant’s primary power source is a 5.5L twin-turbo V-8. The package has a forged flat-plane crankshaft, a finger-follower valvetrain, and dry-sump lubrication. To get those turbochargers spooling up as fast as possible, Chevy engineers turned to a “manuturbo” design, integrating them into the exhaust manifold. The internal combustion package generates 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque, the same as the ZR1, sent to the back wheels.

　　Hybrid Power That’s before you factor in the X’s hybrid system. It’s more than just a lift from the E-Ray, though they both rely on a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack. To start with, the new model can draw deeper into that battery, allowing the electric drive system to generate more torque, more quickly. Key components, such as bearings, have been updated to handle the extra power.

　　(Photo/Chevrolet) The hybrid system itself kicks in another 186 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. While the total drivetrain package delivers a peak 1,250 ponies, Chevy engineers caution you can’t tally up the torque numbers because the two drivetrain units hit peak at different points.

　　That said, the ZR1X promises to deliver what we media scribes are often wont to describe as neck-snapping power. Between the new turbo design and the instant torque of the hybrid system, there should be absolutely no waiting for this package to rev up.

　　Corvette ZR1X will join one of the most rarified clubs in the auto industry: street-legal machines capable of hitting 60 in under 2 seconds. At the top end, meanwhile, it’s rated at 231 mph.

　　Zora

　　(Photo/Chevrolet) Even as the original Stingray was launched five-some years ago, Chevy officials did little to hide the fact that we’d see ever more potent versions of the sports car. And that was certain to mean new takes on the classic Z06 and ZR1 badges. The E-Ray came as a bit of a surprise.

　　But some sources soon began hinting at a model truly worthy of the term “ultimate.” The question was what it would be called. For some, the only disappointment here is that it’s been dubbed ZR1X, rather than the rumored Corvette Zora, honoring the sports car’s legendary original engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov. Whatever the name, the hybrid powertrain is just the first piece of the overall package.

　　Choices, Choices, Choices For one thing, buyers will get a choice of two different chassis packages. The standard package is set up as a “comfortable” touring car, the automaker explains. With Michelin PS4S tires, a magnetic ride control suspension, and multiple driver control settings, Chevy says the car will still be ready for occasional track runs.

　　The ZR Performance Package, meanwhile, shares the active suspension but trades in for Michelin Pilot Cup ZR tires and gets higher spring rates.

　　Chevy will also offer a Carbon Aero package for increased downforce. It adds drive planes, underbody strakes, a hood gurney lip, and a big rear wing. It can produce up to 1,200 pounds of downforce, though the trade-off is a lower top speed of only 225 mph.

　　Stopping Power

　　(Photo/Corvette) Long-time fans of Detroit muscle will recall the days when Motown sleds delivered blistering launches but had their struggles scrubbing off speed. That shouldn’t be the case here. The X gets the J59 braking package offered as an option on the ZR1.

　　Chevy describes it as “a clean-sheet design intended for superior heat resistance and ultra-responsive braking.” It has Alcon 10-piston front and six-piston rear calipers, with 16.5-inch rotors fore and aft. They’re a carbon ceramic design with continuously woven carbon fiber threads.

　　During track testing, including runs on the Nurburgring, said Bulkley, “the brakes last for a really long time.”

　　Corvette ZR1X: Pricing Availability

　　(Photo/Chevrolet) The already formidable Corvette ZR1 just went on sale last month. Look for the ZR1X to follow later this year — Chevy is not yet ready to release precise figures on availability. Along with the enhancements to powertrain and chassis, it will share most of the features of the ZR1, including the new interior design with its three-screen layout.

　　ZR1X will be assembled alongside the rest of the Corvette lineup at the General Motors plant in Bowling Green, Ky. Each engine will be individually hand-assembled, Chevy noted.

　　As for pricing, we’ll have to wait for that, as well. But you can expect a substantial premium over the ZR1 which starts at $174,995 — including a $1,695 delivery fee. There’ll be both coupe and convertible options available.

　　What’s Next for Corvette?

　　(Photo/Chevrolet) But is this really the “ultimate” Corvette? There continue to be all sorts of rumors about what might follow. Several years ago, GM President Mark Reuss suggested the automaker will bring out an all-electric Corvette at some point. Thats no surprise considering CEO Mary Barra’s declaration that the automaker is “on a path to an all-electric future.”

　　Sources tell GearJunkie the automaker continues to look at that option, though when asked about possible timing, Corvette’s new Chief Engineer Josh Holder said “not soon.”

　　When asked if there’s the potential to take things further with combustion engine technology, Holder suggested that it would be difficult. Indeed, he balked at the idea of taking Corvette to the next level, insisting, “This certainly is the pinnacle. The ZR1X really is a Corvette hypercar.”

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