General Motors has set a new benchmark for American performance cars as the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X claims the title of the quickest U.S. production car ever, completing the quarter mile in 8.675 seconds and accelerating from 0–60 mph in just 1.68 seconds.
The record-setting performance was validated in October 2025 at US 131 Motorsports Park, using a preproduction Corvette ZR1X on a prepared drag strip. The run was achieved on pump gas, with standard-production tires, a 50-state street-legal engine calibration, and factory aero configuration—underscoring the car’s real-world capability. During the run, the ZR1X reached a trap speed of 159 mph and generated a peak acceleration force of 1.75G, blasting to 60 mph in under 100 feet.
“When we made the revolutionary shift to a mid-engine platform, this is the type of performance we knew was possible,” said Mark Reuss, President of General Motors.
Powered by a twin-turbocharged LT7 5.5-liter V8 engine paired with a front-axle electric motor, the Corvette ZR1X delivers a combined 1,250 horsepower through an electrified all-wheel-drive system. The test vehicle was equipped with standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and optional carbon fiber wheels. Importantly, the performance was repeatable, with multiple back-to-back runs all completed in under 8.8 seconds.
Behind the wheel was Stefan Frick, Corvette development engineer and test driver, who used the car’s Custom Launch Control system—standard across the Corvette lineup. The system manages tire slip, clutch engagement, and launch parameters, allowing drivers to fine-tune acceleration for optimal performance.
“Our goal was clear—to break into the eights,” said Frick. “This achievement reflects the depth of engineering talent at GM and the level of performance built into the ZR1X.”
On an unprepared surface, the ZR1X equipped with the available ZTK Performance Package still delivers remarkable results, completing the quarter mile in 8.99 seconds and reaching 0–60 mph in 1.89 seconds.
With a starting MSRP of $209,700, the Corvette ZR1X offers supercar-level acceleration at a fraction of the price of global hypercars, many of which exceed $2 million. GM highlighted that it is the fastest way to travel down a quarter-mile for under $1 million.
The 2026 Corvette ZR1X entered production in December 2025 and is built in America at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky, using U.S. and globally sourced components.
As the most advanced Corvette ever produced, the ZR1X not only redefines American performance—but also cements Chevrolet’s position at the forefront of high-performance engineering in the electrified era.
