Despite widespread speculation that the hybridized Corvette ZR1 would bear the name Zora, GM went with Corvette ZR1X instead. Now, Chevrolet is explaining why.

The ZR1X sticks close to the ZR1 naming convention, and doesn't upset the C8 hierarchy. The ultimate production Corvette is officially here, and it's called the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. Speaking of ... how about that name?

Instead, Chevy has gone with the rather uninspiring ZR1X, a name that sounds more like something a Japanese manufacturer would slap on a performance bike. It’s a missed opportunity, especially considering the Zora name would have been a perfect tribute to Zora Arkus-Duntov, the man often hailed as the father of the mid-engine Corvette.