Latest news with #KenMorris
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
1,250-HP Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Hybrid Runs The Quarter-Mile In Under 9 Seconds
The new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is only just now reaching dealerships in the U.S., but that twin-turbo monster is already being usurped by a new even-higher-performance version of the C8 Corvette. Long rumored to be called Zora, this new variant is actually dubbed ZR1X, and it takes the ZR1's powertrain and adds on a similar hybrid system to the one in the E-Ray for a truly ridiculous amount of power and speed. General Motors senior vice president Ken Morris says the C8's platform was designed from the start with the ZR1X's powertrain in mind — that's probably why we started hearing rumors about it before the C8 even debuted. With 1,250 horsepower and all-wheel drive, the hybrid ZR1X is quicker to 60 mph and in the quarter-mile than any roadgoing Corvette before it, and its on-track performance is sure to be just as impressive. The standard ZR1 will soon be setting an official Nürburgring lap time, and ZR1X prototypes have already been spotted at the 'Ring as well, with the Ford Mustang GTD directly in its sights. Read more: These Cars Are Police Magnets At the heart of the ZR1X is the same 5.5-liter LT7 V8 that's in the standard ZR1, which is essentially the Z06's flat-plane-crank motor with a pair of turbochargers attached. All of the LT7's 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque are sent to the ZR1X's rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Mounted at the front axle is an electric motor with 186 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 26 hp and 20 lb-ft over the E-Ray, with Chevy saying the ZR1X's motor has strengthened components but the same size and shape as the E-Ray's unit. The 1.9-kWh battery pack located in a central spine in the floor of the chassis has more usable energy and a higher peak operative voltage than the E-Ray's for better on-track capability. There's no physical connection between the V8 and the electric motor — the former only powers the rear wheels, while the latter only powers the fronts. The electric motor also automatically disconnects once you reach 160 mph, having done its main job of nearly knocking you out with acceleration force. Chevy says the ZR1X will hit 60 mph from launch in under 2 seconds where the ZR1 and E-Ray need 2.3 and 2.5 seconds, respectively, and it'll run the quarter-mile in under 9 seconds at over 150 mph, versus 9.6 seconds in the ZR1 and 10.5 seconds in the E-Ray. That will make the ZR1X easily one of the quickest-accelerating cars you can buy, even among the most powerful EVs. A Lucid Air Sapphire will cover a quarter of a mile in just over 9 seconds, while a Dodge Demon will do it in just under 9 seconds. The standard ZR1 will hit 233 mph, and the ZR1X matches that. Chevy says the ZR1X's eAWD system has "undergone a significant upgrade" compared to the E-Ray, both when it comes to on-road and on-track driving, and that it's constantly monitoring driver inputs to perfectly manage power delivery and traction. There are three different energy "strategies" for when on track, activated by a button on the steering wheel: Push-to-Pass for maximum power on demand, Qualifying for optimal lap times, and Endurance for longer lap sessions and consistent eAWD output. All 2026 Corvettes have a new PTM Pro setting for the traction management, which disables the traction and stability control systems, but in the ZR1X the regenerative braking torque vectoring remains on, as does the front axle pre-control that "actively manages inside front brake pressure to enable maximum corner-exit traction." Optional on the normal ZR1 but standard on the ZR1X is the J59 carbon-ceramic brake package, which has Chevy's largest rotors ever at 16.5 inches front and rear paired with 10-piston front calipers and 6-piston rear calipers. Chevy says it's the most resilient braking system ever tested by GM, and engineers saw 1.9G of deceleration from 180 to 120 mph. The standard touring-focused chassis setup uses magnetic ride control and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, but you can option a ZTK Performance package that has firmer springs and grippier Pilot Cup 2R tires. You'll be able to get the ZR1X in both coupe and convertible body styles, and it'll have the same updated interior design as other 2026 Corvettes, but sadly its exterior doesn't look any different from a normal ZR1, badges aside. Real nerds will be able to spot an extra intercooler in the front bumper. The ZR1X will be available with the same Carbon Aero package as other ZR1s, which adds a gigantic rear wing, dive planes on the front bumper, a gurney lip in front of the hood vent and underbody strakes that all combine to give you 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed. Chevy isn't ready to talk money yet, but the ZR1X will surely command a hefty premium over the standard 2026 ZR1's $189,195 starting price. We don't know when it will go into production yet either, but it'll be built at the same Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly plant as all other Corvettes, with the LT7 being hand-assembled there. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM Shocks And Awes With The All New Corvette ZR1X
Read the full story on The Auto Wire As promised, GM has finally made its big Corvette reveal, pulling back the covers on the ZR1X. The automaker is calling this version of America's sports car a hypercar, thanks to twin turbos, a V8, and hybrid system combining to make an earth shaking 1,250-horsepower. This does indeed redefine what a Corvette can adding twin turbos to the LT7 V8, output is elevated to 1,064-hp and 828 lb.-ft. of torque. But an electric motor on the front axle makes another 186-hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque, so the C8 ZRX is in fact an all-wheel-drive hypercar. All that power doesn't go to waste. GM says this Corvette can sprint from 0 to 60 in under 2 seconds, making it the quickest 'Vette ever. That's quicker than the regular ZR1, which is a performance beast. For the quarter mile, GM says the 2026 Chevy Corvette ZRX can do it in under 9 seconds at over 150 mph. In other words, it's an 8-second factory car. That absolutely amazing! Apparently, the ZRX has been in the works for a long time. 'From day one, we designed the mid-engine Corvette architecture with ZR1X in mind,' said General Motors senior VP Ken Morris. If anything, GM is probably lying again about the ZR1X's performance and the hypercar is even more impressive than we're being told. We also can't wait to see what tuners do with this thing, which could probably do 7-second quarter mile runs with few modifications. GM got people worked up late last week by dropping a teaser video on social media announcing something was coming to the Corvette model line today, June 17. The only hint about what it might be was a stylized 'X.' Theories about what the new sports car model might be ran the range, but the Zora was the top prediction among most enthusiast circles. After all, rumors of that model as well as pictures of supposed test mules have been circulating for a while now. Another theory out there was that the ZR1e, a hybrid all-wheel-drive Corvette ZR1 was about to be revealed. That one was so close, just a letter and a few details off, but it was largely dismissed by enthusiasts. Others pointed out there's a precedent for using 'X' to name a Corvette model. Back at the 2010 SEMA Show, GM showed up with the Corvette Z06x, a stripped-down C6 with a full roll cage added, stiffened suspension, lighter wheels, and other equipment focused on recreational motorsports. That was of course a one-off concept that never went anywhere. Now that we've seen the new Corvette ZR1X, we all get to speculate about the price and how much of a buying frenzy this generates. That sadly could mean dealers gouging enthusiasts big time, which we've seen far too often in the past. Images via GM Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Auto Blog
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 Chevy Corvette ZR1X: 1,250-HP Hybrid Hypercar Unleashed
Most Powerful Corvette Ever Built Fast, faster, fastest. Chevrolet has rolled out an ever more potent series of Corvette variants since the mid-engine Stingray made its 2020 debut. But it may now be pushing the limits with the debut of the 2026 Corvette ZR1X. Melding the 5.5-liter Gemini V8 only recently introduced in the Corvette ZR1 with the hybrid powertrain found in the Corvette E-Ray, this new variant promises dizzying levels of performance that, at least on paper, will put foreign exotics like the Porsche 911 GT3 and Bugatti Chiron to shame. 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More '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,' said General Motors senior vice president Ken Morris. 0-60 MPH in Under 2 Seconds Chevy has dubbed the ZR1X 'a true American hypercar.' And it certainly has the bona fides, producing a stunning 1,250 horsepower capable of launching the two-seater from 0-60 mph in 'under 2 seconds.' Top speed, according to the factory, is a blindingly fast 231 mph, (or 225 mph if you opt for the Carbon Aero package). The ZR1X picks up on most of the new features introduced on the ZR1, including the completely revised interior package with its three-screen display. All versions get the J59 braking package available only as an option on the ZR1. Designed for minimum fade, even on the track, according to Cody Bulkley, Corvette's chief chassis control engineer, this 'clean-sheet design' features Alcon 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers, with 16.5-inch rotors fore and aft. They're a carbon ceramic design with continuously woven carbon fiber threads. ZR1X Hybrid Powertrain Combines Gemini V8 with E-Ray Tech Just now in Chevy showrooms, one can hardly downplay the Corvette ZR1 with its new, and completely hand-built, 5.5-liter Gemini V8. With 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque, it has plenty going for it, with its flat-plane crankshaft, finger-follower valvetrain, and dry-sump lubrication. Chevy engineers also came up with a novel design integrating the twin turbos into the exhaust manifold to minimize lag time. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. And that's where the new hybrid drivetrain kicks in, adding another 186 hp and 145 lb-ft of instantaneous torque. It's an upgraded version of the electric assist system found in the E-Ray. While they share a 1.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, ZR1X'can draw deeper into it, for additional torque. Bearings and other components have been upgraded to handle the additional power. The V8, in traditional Corvette fashion, drives the rear wheels, here through an 8-speed double-clutch transmission, the single-speed hybrid system putting power to the front axle, 'You can take advantage of the torque' said Bulkley, 'to dig you out of a corner.' New Driver Modes Tailored for Track, Endurance, and Boost Chevy adds several new modes allowing a driver to tune the battery drive system depending on where and how they're driving: Endurance Mode, triggered by the new 'Charge+' button, 'adjusts the battery's energy storage strategy for extended lapping, Chey explains; Qualifying Mode tunes the system for the 'ultimate' lap time; and Push-to-Pass yields the absolute maximum power the driveline can deliver. Separately, even though it disables traction and stability control, the new PTM Pro setting maintains regen-brake torque vectoring and front axle pre-control, which manages inside front brake pressure for maximum corner-exit traction. The ZRX1 also features Launch Control which helps a driver achieve best possible 0-60 times. Coupe or Convertible? ZR1X Offers Track and Touring Setups As with the rest of the Corvette family, the 2026 ZR1X will be offered in both coupe and convertible body styles. Buyers can choose from a standard setup which is primarily designed for touring – though it will be more than capable of the occasional track day. It features Michelin PS4S tires and a magnetic ride control suspension. The ZR Performance Package also gets the active suspension, albeit with higher spring rates, with its wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Cup ZR tires. Source: Chevrolet Corvette's Evolution: From Stingray to American Hypercar It's been a long-standing tradition for Chevy to roll out a series of ever more powerful Corvettes over the course of each generation's lifecycle. And it's stuck with that strategy since the launch of the C8. Even the base Stingray is an impressive package, delivering as much as 495 hp. And the new ZR1 pushed above 1,000 ponies for the first time in a street-legal Vette. It's been long-rumored that the bow-tie brand would deliver something to get the European exotics looking over their shoulder, and ZR1X certainly follows through. The one disappointment for some Corvette loyalists is the name. It had been widely expected the automaker would top out the line-up by honoring the sports car's legendary chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. Source: Chevrolet Will There Be an All-Electric Corvette After the ZR1X? Asked if there could be something even more mind-boggling to follow, 'Vette execs downplayed that possibility, admitting it would be pretty hard to go still further – though they wouldn't rule that out entirely. For now, at least, 'This certainly is the pinnacle. The ZR1X really is a Corvette hypercar,' proclaimed Chief Engineer Josh Holder in a media background briefing. Certainly, he and Bulkley said, it would be difficult, if at all possible, to push any further without a hybrid system. And that raised the obvious question. General Motors President Mark Reuss several years ago hinted that a pure electric Corvette might be in the works. Might one follow? 'Not soon,' was all Holder would say. Source: Chevrolet The Corvette ZR1 went on sale last month, starting at $174,995 – including a $1,695 delivery fee. Chevy won't say when ZR1X will follow, though it's pointing to sometime later this year. We'll also have to wait for pricing. Along with the rest of the C8 family, the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will be assembled at the General Motors plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Source: Chevrolet About the Author Paul Eisenstein View Profile
