As part of the Chevrolet Corvette’s 70th birthday celebrations, the model will receive its first ever electrified powertrain.
Enter the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the first all-wheel drive Corvette in history powered by both a petrol V8 engine as well as an onboard electric motor.
The main power unit in the E-Ray is the familiar LT2 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine found in the regular Corvette, except this time it is joined by an electric motor installed on the front axle.
Say hello to the 2024 hybrid Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
The V8 engine provides total outputs of 369kW/637Nm, while the electric motor adds an extra 119kW/170Nm into the mix.
With a combined system output of 488kW, Chevrolet claims the new electrified Corvette will be able to sprint to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds.
Chevrolet says the new 2024 E-Ray variant will go on sale in 2023 in the United States and will be assembled at GM’s Bowling Green facility in Kentucky. Australian launch details are yet to be confirmed.
While the interior might look similar, gauges will show electrification information
The new hybrid E-Ray will join the existing C8 range, including the standard Corvette and the fire-breathing Z06.
While some buyers may be surprised to see a hybrid variant of Corvette, more could follow in the sports car segment with Porsche also said to be working on a hybrid variant of the 911.
Important facts about the new Corvette E-Ray
The Corvette E-Ray features a small 1.9kWh battery pack that helps feed power to the front-mounted electric motor. You may wonder where a battery pack would fit – Chevrolet managed to install the battery between the two seats.
The E-Ray comes standard with Brembo’s ceramic brake package
The E-Ray is a conventional series-parallel hybrid, rather than a plug-in hybrid that can be charged via an external source. Chevrolet says the battery is charged via regenerative braking, as well as normal day-to-day driving.
Chevrolet states there will be a ‘stealth mode’, basically an electric-only mode, however it only operates up to 70km/h. An electric-only range is not stated but given the size of the battery it’s unlikely to be extensive.
Other important standard features for the electrified Corvette include a Brembo carbon ceramic braking system, adaptive dampers and staggered 20-inch and 21-inch wheels with Michelin rubber.
Owners will be able to see how the E-Ray is using and creating its power
Several driver assistance features including lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision alert and autonomous emergency braking will be standard.
Further details on electrification of the Corvette
Chevrolet states that the Corvette E-Ray’s electric system works in harmony with the V8’s active fuel management system to extend four-cylinder operation of the vehicle in various driving situations.
Although unconfirmed for Australia, the E-Ray could still come here
There are six drive modes for the E-Ray – tour, sport, track, weather, my mode and Z mode. The performance app located in the infotainment system allows the driver to see how the propulsion system is operating, including electrical system efficiency data, power output gauges and power/torque graphs over select time intervals.
A stealth mode allows owners to leave home in electric-only mode, however the engine will start once the 70km/h limit is reached.
Chevrolet Corvette 2023: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- 2LT coupe: $160,000
- 2LT convertible: $175,000
- 3LT coupe: $175,000
- 3LT convertible: $190,000
- Z06: $TBA
