In celebration of Corvette’s 70th birthday, the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is here
Announced exactly 70 years after the debut of the very first Corvette in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray has arrived and comes in a hybrid powertrain. ‘Vette purists may turn their neck in spite of the technological advancement, but they’ll surely be missing out on the E-Ray’s all-wheel drive and fuel efficiency.
The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray features a 495 horsepower 6.2-liter pushrod V-8 engine, rooted from the Corvette Stingray, as its core power source. Dubbed the LT2, the hybrid Corvette engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and supplemented by a front-mounted electric motor with 160 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque.
The drive unit is compact, with a magnesium casing and an oil cooler that’s unique to the E-Ray and positioned behind the front bumper on the driver’s side. The combination of the engine and electric motor results in a total output of 655 horsepower, 595 pound-feet of torque, and all-wheel-drive capabilities. That makes the hybrid Corvette one of the most powerful Corvettes in production, sprinting from zero-to-sixty in 2.5 seconds.
This also makes the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray the first ever all-wheel drive variant in the model’s history. Its electric motor delivers power to all four wheels while its intelligent eAWD system continuously learns about the road surface and adapts to driving demands and traction with ease while providing added stability.
Also featured in the E-Ray is regenerative braking, where the electric motor’s battery becomes charged when braking and driving. A button in the center console activates the Charge+ function, which increases the amount of energy for the battery.
A performance app that lets you keep tabs on the hybrid powertrain is accessible through the vehicle’s infotainment system. This mechanism can also be used to select the hybrid Corvette’s new Stealth drive mode. Drivers may operate the car for a brief period of time solely utilizing electric power in this mode. Surely a quiet, welcomed convenience.
As far as aesthetics, the E-Ray sports unique badging and a similar exteriors to its C8 brethren from 2019 and has a wide body that resembles the Z06. There are 14 color options available, including Riptide Blue, Seawolf Gray, and Cacti. An optional and model exclusive Electric Blue stripe package is also available. It rides on staggered alloy wheels featuring a distinctive five-spoke star design, with 20 inches front-side and 21 inches rear.
The price? It goes without saying that it’ll cost a pretty penny. The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray coupe starts at $104,295 while the convertible E-Ray is an extra $7,000, priced at $111,295. Chevy has confirmed a 2023 launch year.
