The Chevrolet Corvette has been known for its snarling V8 powertrains for decades – but the iconic all-American supercar will move with the times and adopt electric powertrains, General Motors (GM) says.
General Motors has confirmed the Corvette is going electric through the use of the brand’s Ultium battery technology in the near future – tech already underpinning the electric Hummer ute and SUV, which launched in the US earlier this month.
President of General Motors, Mark Reuss – formerly a Holden chief executive from 2008 to 2009 – confirmed via LinkedIn that the iconic sports car will be electrified (meaning hybrid) by as early as next year.
The battery technology called Ultium will underpin many of GM’s products
“Yes, in addition to the amazing new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and other gas-powered variants coming, we will offer an electrified and a fully electric, Ultium-based Corvette in the future.
“In fact, we will offer an electrified Corvette as early as next year. Details and names to come at a later date,” Reuss said.
Based on the same Ultium platform as other GM products such as the Hummer H1T, Chevrolet Equinox EV and GMC Sierra EV, the Corvette will be eventually available as a fully electric model.
The Corvette Z06 will soon be in Australia with 500kW of power
In the meantime, an “electrified” version – likely to be a hybrid of some sort – will boost the lineup. We could even see a hybrid V8 setup based on the existing LT2 or LT6 engines.
What Corvette models are sold in Australia?
Currently, in Australia, you are able to purchase (if you are lucky) a new C8 Corvette with the Z51 Performance Pack fitted as standard even on the base 2LT model.
Power comes from a mid-mounted 6.2-litre LT2 V8 engine that produces 369kW of power and 631Nm of torque. Those outputs are fed to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The flat-plane crank V8 in the Corvette Z06 could be electrified in the near future
Yet to be released in Australia is the fire-breathing C8 Corvette Z06 that makes 500kW/623Nm thanks to a 5.5-litre double overhead cam, flat-plane crank V8. This engine is able to rev to an astounding 8600rpm, only 400rpm shy of the redline found in the former Ferrari 458.
The Corvette Z06 has been confirmed for Australia however it is unknown when this supercar-slayer will be coming down under.
It is also unknown when the electrified versions of the Corvette will come down under, however it will likely be on the cards for local distributor GMSV who have found the Corvette to be a car of interest in our country.
Chevrolet Corvette 2022: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- 2LT coupe: $144,990
- 2LT convertible: $159,990
- 3LT coupe: $160,500
- 3LT convertible: $175,500
- 3LT Carbon Edition coupe: $189,990
