Seventy years ago the Chevrolet Corvette made its debut at New York’s Motorama, firmly establishing itself as America’s sports car. Through eight generations, the Corvette has loomed larger than life and now it will see one of its most significant changes with the introduction of the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, a hybrid variant.
Hybrid Drivetrain
The latest Corvette adaptation combines gas and electric power. Powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine, the E-Ray includes an electric motor tasked with sending power to the front wheels, making this model the first all-wheel-drive Corvette ever. It is a standard hybrid system and which means the electric motor is replenished by the gas engine and through regenerative braking.
Chevrolet says that the E-Ray will be the fastest Corvette ever, with a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds. The V8 develops 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motor contributes an additional 160 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Combined, owners will have 655 horsepower on tap. An 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission routes power to the wheels.
Intelligent Electronic All-Wheel Drive
The Corvette E-Ray features an “intelligent eAWD” system that constantly adjusts to the road conditions to satisfy traction and driver requirements.
“Corvettes must provide an exhilarating driving experience on backroads and tracks, and E-Ray nails it,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette. “The electrification technology enhances the feeling of control in all conditions, adding an unexpected degree of composure.”
Special Corvette E-Ray Features
Other Corvette E-Ray features include the following:
Stealth Mode, which represents an electric drive mode for local driving at speeds up to 45 mph.
A lightweight lithium-ion 12-volt battery that aids the V-8 engine’s stop/start performance.
Included Brembo Carbon Ceramic brake system for excellent braking conduct.
Standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with a trio of distinctive suspension settings.
Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires. Up front, they measure 20 inches. At the rear, they’re 21 inches. Optional are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires with the available performance package.
The E-Ray features a distinct low, wide stance with a crafted body style that measures 3.6 inches wider overall than Stingray.
Primeval sound experience that symbolizes the car’s dominating presence. The electric front motor works in synchronization with the V8 engine to generate an energizing cacophony.
A bundle of heightened driver assistance technologies (shared with all 2024 Corvette models), including Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking.
E-Ray Cost and Availability
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray will not come cheap. It goes on sale later this year with a sticker price of $104,295 for the 1LZ coupe and $111,2954 for the 1LZ convertible model. As with other Corvette models, GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky will build this model.
What we don’t know about the Corvette E-Ray is its efficiency. We expect that its fuel economy numbers will exceed 30 mpg under certain conditions. Also, the E-Ray is destined to become the least polluting Corvette ever thanks largely to its partial electrification.
Looking ahead, we expect additional Corvette models to roll out, including a full-electric model in a few years. These changes may not gladden the hearts of purists, but it does place the Corvette in a unique category as the only hybrid sports car with a V8 engine (the Lexus LC has a V6).
References
(2023, January 1). For its 70th Birthday, Chevrolet Gives the World an Electrified AWD Corvette. Chevrolet Media Site.
Stafford, E. (2023, January 17). 2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray Sets America’s Sports Car on a Radical New Course. Car and Driver.
Valdes-Dapena, P. (2023, January 17). The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is the first-ever hybrid Corvette. CNN Business.
See Also – New Mid-Engine Corvette is the Best One Yet
Photos courtesy of GM Corp.
