2024 Corvette E-Ray: hybrid all-wheel drive supercar with "stealth mode"
2023-01-18
The Corvette E-Ray will add to the lineup this summer and it will be the most powerful C8 model thanks to a pair of electric motors. Chevrolet Corvette E Ray — it is the first hybrid-electric Corvette and the first all-wheel drive Corvette in over 70 years of the brand's history. This will be the third variant of the C8 Corvette after the Stingray and the Z06.
Even more different from the 670-horsepower Z06, the Corvette E-Ray will position itself in the market as a Grand Tourer. The hybrid powertrain will allow the E-Ray to run almost silently at low speeds and ride smoothly on the highway. This Corvette will get a ZER package, which will be similar to the Z51 package on the Stingray. Despite the extra weight of the battery and electric motors, the E-Ray coupe weighs 1,712kg and the convertible – 1749 kg.
The electric motor comes to the rescue of the 6.2-litre LT2 V8 engine. While the V8 powers the rear wheels, the electric motors deliver an additional 160 hp and 169 Nm to the front wheels with a 1.9 kWh battery, which is located between the seats in the "spine"; car. With the added power, the car puts out 655 hp and 806 Nm of torque. For comparison, the C8 Corvette Z06 officially has slightly more power, 670 hp, but much less torque of 623 Nm.
With instant torque and the benefits of AWD, the Corvette E-Ray hits 60 mph in two and a half seconds. A direct competitor to the new Corvette E-Ray – Porsche 911 4S (443 hp, over $130,000), which is an all-wheel drive sports car, but not a hybrid. The Acura NSX could have been another direct competitor, but the hybrid supercar was discontinued in 2022. This makes the E-Ray a unique product in the supercar segment until Porsche introduces the 911 Hybrid in 2024.
The Corvette E-Ray starts at $104,295 for the 1LZ coupe and the convertible starts at $111,295. For comparison, the Corvette Z06 starts at $109,295.
