For the past few years, Chevrolet has been doing exceptionally mind-boggling things with its Corvette lineup. First, the Corvette went mid engined for the first time, then it got a flat-plane crank V8 like a Ferrari’s, later got an E-Ray hybrid model making it the first hybrid Corvette ever and then finally just recently, the new ZR1 had been launched with the same flat-plane crank V8 but with two turbos.
The new ZR1 already had hypercar performance, pushing just over 1000 BHP, and the supercar was already performing hypercar times. The ZR1’s 0-100 KM/H sprint is just 2.3 seconds and it has a top speed of 370 KM/H. These power figures are straight-up absurd figures for a vehicle that’s “literally just a Corvette”. So what exactly is this new “ZR1X”, and how is it even crazier? Let’s dig in
Corvette ZR1X “Zora” – Overview
The ZR1X has been waiting for the launch for quite some time now, and everyone has known about it since it has been testing rigorously at the Nurburgring with the yellow window sticker (used for hybrid test cars). We also knew that this test mule had the ZR1 engine but added Hybrid technology, the test mule was very famously known as the Zora, which was believed to be the name of the Corvette model.
This new ZR1X is just that car. What Chevy has done here is that they’ve taken the “regular” Z06 engine, added twin turbos and tuned it to make it a ZR1 engine, then took the E-Ray’s hybrid system and added it to the ZR1’s engine. This is pure madness of power. Let’s see the figures and features.
Corvette ZR1X – Design
The exterior design is extremely subtle for the kind of chest-melting power that this vehicle possesses. The exterior design is not much different from the ZR1 model. There are extremely sharp lines all around the design, and the front features the same headlamp setup. This vehicle does get a carbon-fibre front splitter and ZR1X badging to make it “stand apart” from the “regular” ZR1.
Though with the special carbon-fibre aero package, the car gets a ridiculously large rear spoiler that might even put the 911 GT3’s rear spoiler to shame. Apart from all this, the exterior remains the very recognisable Corvette, and there’s no problem with that.
Corvette ZR1X Powertrain – Horsepower Madness
As mentioned earlier, in the simplest terms, this engine is the combination of the ZR1 engine with the E-Ray’s hybrid tech. That means this is a 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged hybrid V8 with a flat-plane crank that is now making a combined power output of 1250 BHP!
As this is an all-wheel-drive car, this means the new Corvette has officially entered the Hypercar segment, and the performance figures support that statement as well. The 0-100 KM/H Time of this Corvette is expected to be under 2.0 seconds flat and a top speed of just over 390 KM/H. More so, the expected quarter-mile time is expected to be under 9.0 seconds, faster than both the Bugatti Chiron and the Dodge Demon 170.
These figures essentially mean that Chevy has now targeted hypercars like the McLaren W1, Ferrari F80, meaning that, potentially, we have a new holy trinity of high horsepower hybrid hypercars.
Corvette ZR1X Verdict – Pinnacle Of American Engineering
Words are short to describe the conclusion for this new Hypercar Corvette. The prices have not been announced, but we are extremely sure the pricing will be much cheaper than a Ferrari 296 GTB or something similar. What we are witnessing is the evil wishes of Chevrolet wanting to put the customer’s life in danger with sheer chest-bending horsepower, and we’re loving it!
Not just straight line performance, the Corvette ZR1X is born and tested at the Nurburgring, essentially meaning this vehicle is going to be a killer on the track as well, and we are waiting for a Laguna Seca track time. This is a vehicle worth waiting for if a customer is looking to spend money on a supercar.
