While everyone has been eagerly awaiting the introduction of the 2025 Corvette ZR1, Chevy engineers have been busy working out the details on the upcoming ZORA for the 2026 model year.
Since late last year, numerous media outlets have been predicting that the ZORA would be the culmination of a marriage between the ZR1’s 5.5 liter twin-turbo flat-plane crank engine, and the E-Ray’s incredible all-wheel drive system and 160 hp electric motor.
While the standard Corvette Stingray produces 495 hp, the E-Ray’s output is vaulted to 655 hp with the help of the electric motor mounted on top of the front axle. In addition to the increased horsepower, the electric motor also puts out an additional 125 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels.
We now know the rumors and speculation are true.
Following tradition with the C6 Corvette ZR1 Registry and the C7 Corvette ZR1 Registry, the Corvette Action Center has started a C8 Corvette ZR1 Registry.
C8 Corvette ZR1 Registry
As with the other registries here at the Corvette Action Center, the main objective of the C8 Corvette ZR1 Registry is to maintain a production and owner history database for all C8 ZR1s built.
Once in the Registry, you’ll notice, it already includes the 2026 model year.
Click on the “2026” tab, then the “Browse 2026” tab.
You’ll notice that GM started building 2026 ZR1 prototypes as early as June of 2024.
If you click on the Profile Updated links on some of the prototypes, pay particular attention to the Build/Option Codes. Starting with serial #20, you’ll notice “HP1 – FRONT AXLE, ELECTRIFIED PROPULSION“. That is the same RPO code for the electric motor used on the E-Ray. You’ll also notice “LT7 -” which is the ZR1’s engine.
What about the combined output? 1064 hp + 160 hp = 1,224 HP. Torque: 828 lb-ft + 125 lb-ft = 953 lb-ft of torque. Tack on all-wheel drive, and THAT boys and girls, is going to be one hell of a track monster!
So, there you have it – the 2026 Corvette ZORA. BUT, that’s not all…
Special Edition Coming in 2026
Not only will the 2026 model year include the ZR1 and ZORA, but if you look at Serial #102, you’ll notice something quite…special…
The exterior color code is “GRF”, which doesn’t exist with the other colors shown in GM’s Order Workbench system for the 2026 Corvette model year. An interior color option can’t be found as well.
If you scroll through the listing of RPO codes, you’ll notice “CFY – PLAQUE, INTERIOR, DEDICATION, SPECIAL EDITION” and RPO ZRA at the bottom. We believe that RPO ZRA will be some sort of special edition package. Maybe some sort of unique, limited, and maybe numbered, ZORA model, dedicated to the very man himself – Zora Arkus-Duntov?
So what do you think? Are our assumptions correct and 2026 is going to be one hell of a year for the Corvette? Let us know what you think in the comments below!