The year 2026 is going to be a big one for the United States. They're celebrating 250 years of independence, which in their vocabulary means fireworks, fighter jets, and—of course—special edition cars that are more patriotic than Abraham Lincoln on an eagle. But before you roll your eyes and expect cars wrapped in cheap stars-and-stripes vinyl, stop. Chevrolet has a surprise this time. Their Stars & Steel collection is actually... delicious. And more importantly, it includes a monster called the Corvette ZRX1.
If you're old enough, or just a history buff like me, you might remember 1976. America was celebrating its 200th birthday, and Chevrolet put out the "Spirit of America" models. They were white, blue, and red, with white rims, and looked like they were designed by someone who had had too many sugary drinks. The Impala and Vega of that era were just... a product of their time. Torat - Stars & Steel for 250 years.
Fifty years later, Chevrolet has grown up. The 2026 Stars & Steel collection swaps the flashy “Americana” aesthetic for something you’d actually dare to park in front of a modern mansion or opera house. We’re talking Satin Steel and Black color palettes. The flag graphics are subtle, the elements are blacked-out, and the overall impression is modern, aggressive and – a rarity for Americans – restrained.
Corvette ZRX1: The Star of the Evening
The most shining jewel of this collection is undoubtedly the Corvette. And not just any Corvette. Chevrolet will only produce 250 examples (the number is no coincidence), ranging from the basic Stingray to the brutal ZRX1.
It’s the latter that’s really turning up the heat. While Chevrolet is still keeping the exact numbers for this specific “X” version under wraps, we do know what the ZR1 platform brings to the table. We’re talking about an engineering marvel that flirts with hypercars. Based on the base ZR1, a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 roars under the hood, producing a breathtaking 1,064 horsepower (793 kW) and 1,123 Nm (828 lb-ft) of torque. These aren’t numbers for milking. These are numbers that move tectonic plates.
What's special about this series?
- Colors: Arctic White or Black.
- Interior: Santorini Blue or Adrenaline Red – because of course there has to be a little drama.
- Details: Torch Red belts, Edge Red brake calipers and carbon fiber or Carbon Flash rims.
“This is not a car for the shy. This is a car for those who want their neighbors to know they've made it before they even open the garage door.”
In addition to the limited edition, a single, one-of-a-kind ZRX1 will be offered at the Barrett-Jackson auction in January, with proceeds going to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. A nice gesture for a monstrously expensive car.
Pick up world: When size still matters
This being America, the celebration couldn't be complete without pickup trucks that are larger than the average European apartment. The lineup includes the Colorado, Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, and the electric Silverado EV.
Everyone received a “250” badge and flag graphics, but the point is in the equipment:
- Colorado Trail Boss: Gets 20-inch (50.8 cm) gloss black wheels and red tow hooks. Perfect for climbing over curbs in shopping malls.
- Silverado 1500 RST: Shod in massive 22-inch (55.9 cm) wheels with red Brembo brakes. Because stopping this mass of steel takes serious physics.
- Silverado EV: An electric giant on 24-inch (61 cm) wheels. Performance is not forgotten with this model – in its most powerful RST version, this electric pickup truck offers up to 754 hp (562 kW) and 1,064 Nm (785 lb-ft) of torque, with a battery that probably weighs as much as a small hatchback but provides a range of around 640 km (400 miles).
Below the Line_ Celebration on Steroids
Chevrolet's Stars & Steel collection is proof that patriotism and good taste aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. Instead of making cars that look like a waving flag, they've created machines that exude a kind of silent (and in the case of the Corvette, very loud) menace.
Production of “Stars & Steel” begins in spring 2026. Prices are not yet known, but considering that they will donate $250 from each vehicle sold to veterans, you can expect them to be quite high. If you are looking for an investment or simply want to have a piece of American history in your garage that can reach 350 km/h (217 mph), the Corvette ZRX1 from this series is probably what you are looking for. For the rest of us, however, it remains a dream and a poster on the wall. Or at least a wallpaper on your phone.
