Last year, the extreme Corvette ZR1 debuted , which acquired a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with a power of more than 1,000 hp, which effectively transferred the Corvette to the rank of hypercars. And now the General Motors concern has prepared an even more powerful Corvette ZR1X, which has a hybrid system and all-wheel drive.
To put it simply, the Corvette ZR1X is a direct cross between the pure gasoline version of the ZR1 and the Corvette E-Ray hybrid , which has an electric motor on the front axle. However, the top version of the ZR1X has its own nuances. There is indeed an LT7 engine (V8, 5.5 l) with two turbochargers and a flat crankshaft, like the Corvette ZR1, installed behind the seats. Even its output has not changed: 1079 hp and 1123 Nm. However, the electrical part of the power plant has been significantly improved.
The 1.9 kWh traction battery is still located in the central tunnel, but its effective capacity has been increased by 26% (from 1.1 to 1.5 kWh), and most importantly, the current output has been increased. Due to this, the front electric motor can produce a peak of 188 hp and 196 Nm versus 163 hp and 165 Nm for the base hybrid. The design of the motor itself has also been improved: for example, reinforced bearings have appeared. In addition, the maximum speed of the combined operation of the gasoline and electric engines has been increased from 241 to 257 km/h, after which the electric suspension is disconnected. As a result of all the tricks, the combined output of the Corvette ZR1X hypercar’s power plant has reached 1267 hp and 1319 Nm!
Even though the Corvette ZR1X coupe weighs over 1,800 kg, the all-wheel drive hybrid hypercar is faster than the gasoline rear-wheel drive version of the ZR1 (1,665 kg). Acceleration to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes less than two seconds, and the hybrid flies through a quarter mile in less than nine seconds (versus 9.7 s for the ZR1 version), developing 241 km/h at the exit. In the first gears of the eight-speed “robot”, the Corvette ZR1X develops longitudinal acceleration up to 1.3 g.
According to engineers, the car’s handling is tuned to be as neutral and friendly as possible. Therefore, the base suspension of the hypercar is suitable for regular use with trips to the race track, which is also facilitated by Michelin PS 4S tires. For fans of “spice”, a more rigid and uncompromising version of the settings is prepared complete with Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tires. Carbon-ceramic brake discs and Alcon mechanisms (ten-piston in the front and six-piston in the rear) are installed as standard, although even for the ZR1 version this is an option. As a result, the maximum overload during braking reaches 1.9g!
Regardless of the chosen suspension, buyers are offered the ZTK track package with more aggressive aerodynamics. However, this set is also available for the gasoline ZR1, and in general, with the exception of nameplates and minor nuances, the two modifications have an identical appearance. But the hybrid ZR1X became the first Corvette, which initially got an updated interior .
The price has not yet been announced. According to preliminary information, the hybrid hypercars will cost at least $250,000. The gasoline ZR1 coupe now costs from $178,000, and the roadster is another $10,000 more expensive. But this is still significantly less than what is asked for European hypercars with a similar charge.
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