GM unveils newest Corvette model ZR1X

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) -On Tuesday, GM Assembly Plant employees, local officials and other special guests gathered within the Bowling Green assembly plant to witness the unveiling of GM’s newest Corvette: The ZR1X.

Chevrolet is calling the newest model of Corvette “America’s Hypercar,” and it’s being built in Bowling Green.

“This car has been in the works for a very long time because with each generation of Corvette we dream of every model that will exist in that generation,” said plant director, Ray Theriault. “Even though the Stingray came out in the 2020 model year, this car was on the books back then as well as something that we would build as part of this generation, and we’re here today to announce it.”

The newest eighth generation Corvette aims to compete with other sports cars on the market by featuring a 1,250-horsepower engine that can provide a quarter mile time of less than 9 seconds, with the ability to go from 0 to 60 in only two seconds.

The ZR1X also features a new three-screen layout in the interior of the vehicle that has been added to other 2026 model Corvettes, along with a console app that gives real-time performance data.

“Frankly, when we announced the ZR1, we made our competition nervous,” said Theriault. “And now, today we’ve put them in the rearview mirror because a ZR1X is 1,200 horsepower thanks to the addition of an electric drive for the front wheels. So, this car has all the advantages of that instant torque for an electric drive, so it’s quick off the line, but still has that 1,064 horsepower internal combustion engine.”

During the presentation, officials offered their gratitude to the employees of Bowling Green’s assembly plant, stating that their work is what makes vehicles like the ZR1X a reality.

“All that engineering is just fancy math in a computer until the folks at Bowling Green, Kentucky get ahold of it,” said Theriault. “They’re the ones that actually make the rubber hit the road and make the dream come true. So, it’s the team here that actually is able to produce that car into reality and then send it around the world.”

While Corvette enthusiasts are sure to want to get behind the wheel of the ZR1X, officials said there is currently no official release date.

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