If you’ve watched sufficient of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” you’ll know that Leno likes vehicles constructed for a singular goal. He additionally appreciates American vehicles made by American employees. And Leno isn’t averse to hybrids. So, after all, he added a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X to his huge assortment.
Leno went all out spec’ing it, too. He began with the convertible mannequin and added the ZTK Track Performance Package, which incorporates the stiffer ZTK suspension with Magnetic Selective Ride Control and aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. Leno additionally ticked the field for the Carbon Fiber Aero Package’s dive planes, hood spoiler, and big rear wing. The wheels could seem black at first, however they’re made from carbon fiber; behind these are big Alcon carbon ceramic brakes.
That’s some hardcore stuff, however it’s effectively matched to the ability it has to deal with — each halves of it. Chevrolet pairs the hand-built LT7 twin-turbo 5.5-liter DOHC V-8 from the ZR1 with a stronger model of the the E-Ray’s electrical front-axle motor that generates 186-horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, giving the ZR1X a whole output of 1,250 horsepower and all-wheel drive. At the drag strip, these numbers equate to 60 mph in beneath two seconds and a quarter mile time within the 8s at almost 160 mph. On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the ZR1X’s energy and aero enabled it get the quantity 5 spot on the board with a time of 6:49.275 — with out a professional driver behind the wheel.
But what’s the ZR1X like on the road? It feels billet-like but has a relaxed journey high quality. Fortunately, Leno’s automobile is previous the 500-mile break-in threshold, so he’s in a position to unleash the big energy behind him. After one notably deep press of the fuel pedal, the automobile launches ahead so arduous that even Leno, a man who’s pushed shockingly quick vehicles for many years, is taken unexpectedly.
Leno comes away impressed by his buy, which he deems the “most incredible Corvette ever built.” At the identical time, he’s in a position to see past its singularity and recognize the second in American automotive historical past that it shares with one other ultra-high-performance machine: the Ford Mustang GTD (which he also owns). To Leno, the “Golden Age” of vehicles, by which stratospheric horsepower is paired with competent dealing with and spectacular science, is now.
What a time to be alive!
