The people working at General Motors are fond of declaring that the company has been “on a path to an all-electric future” as they launch a variety of models powered by batteries. Although it’s got several EVs in the pipeline for next year, the major Chevrolet brand is making a small step toward that goal of “America’s sports car.”
However, 2024’s Corvette E-Ray hybrid brings some of the most significant changes to the two-seater car since the first “C1” ‘Vette was introduced 70 years ago.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Hybrid Changes
It’s a mix of both the “base” Stingray and the more track-oriented Z06 and Z06, 2024’s Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray becomes the first-ever variant that offers all-wheel drive. Its single-motor hybrid engine offers an additional 160 horsepower more than the Stingray and allows drivers to drive in all-electric and almost silent Stealth Mode for up to 4 miles at a time.
The E-Ray “represents what this vehicle is capable of going forward,” said Scott Bell, the global vice president of Chevrolet. It also hints at the future of the Corvette when an electrical Corvette Corvette will be available in 2025. The E-Ray has been the subject of speculation for some time as members of the team who developed the present “C8” model doing little to hide the fact they had been creating the possibility of an “electrified” version. However, what exactly they were planning to release was the subject of debate.
Many had expected the C8 team to develop a plug-in hybrid variant or model that was the Acura NSX, pairing several motors with the Japanese supercar’s turbo V6 which is smaller. The final decision was that Chevy decided to keep the Stingray’s 6.2-liter Small Block V-8 and pair it with one electric motor, which initially, sends torque through the front axle of the sports car.
Engine & Performance
In all, the system is capable of producing a maximum of 655 horsepower, which is more than the 495 ponies the gas-powered Stingray provides. Furthermore, the electric motor can produce as high as 125 pounds-feet of torque in addition to the 470 lb-ft produced by the powerful LT2 V-8.
The drivetrain design “provides an all-weather confidence we’ve never had,” Bell said Bell at a briefing for a variety of automotive publications which included Forbes Wheels. “We call it the Swiss Army knife” because it transforms what’s typically a sports car that is designed for fair weather “into an all-season vehicle.”
The E-Ray uses a different approach to electrification compared to new models such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer crossovers. The latter utilizes GM’s latest Ultium technology, which includes a similar skateboard “architecture,” the E-Ray is built in the same system as the C8 line and has batteries specifically designed for hybrid applications which means they need to recharge and discharge much more frequently and quickly.
“The mission of this car is performance, performance, performance,” stated Brad Franz, the engineer responsible for developing E-Ray. E-Ray system. Its 1.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery is located beneath the cabin. This aids in lowering the E Ray’s center of gravity. Overall the E-Ray weighs just 200 pounds less than what it weighs. Stingray, Franz added, noting that “every kilogram and Gram had to make its way into the vehicle.
Based on a preliminary estimation of 2.5 seconds to 0-60, and a quarter-mile speed that is 10.5 seconds, Chevy is billing E-Ray as “the quickest production Corvette in history.” To give an idea of the speed it’s the Stingray requires 2.9 seconds to reach 60 per Chevrolet and, depending on which numbers you believe the 670 horsepower Z06 will reach that speed with 2.6 seconds. The previous generation “C7” ZR1, at 755 horsepower, took 2.9 seconds.
The E-Ray will come with standard Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes that eliminate speed. They’ll be concealed by distinctive wheels that measure 20 inches in front and 21 inches in the rear. The hybrid will feature Michelin Pilot Sport all-season rubber however the performance package will include Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires. A ride control suspension with magnetics with three different settings is standard for Corvette E-Ray. Corvette E-Ray.
Features
How the electric assist system operates is contingent on which of the driver-selectable options a driver selects from, such as Track, Tour, Sports Weather My Mode, and Z-Mode. There’s also another Charge+ feature that speeds up charging the battery pack with lithium-ion. The Stealth Mode, meanwhile, permits E-Ray to run entirely using electrons for anywhere between 3-4 miles according to Franz. It can reach speeds of 45 mph at which the V8 will automatically start firing up.
Final EPA mileage figures haven’t yet been verified, however, Corvette Marketing Director Harlan Charles expects to see the hybrid surpass the gasoline-only version. The reason for this, Harlan Charles stated because the electric system can extend the reach of the Corvette’s Active Fuel Management system. This allows the LT2 to run more often in the gas-saving 4-cylinder mode. The present Corvette is rated at 19 mpg in the combined mode, whereas the Z06 has a combined fuel consumption of 15 mpg.
Visually it appears that it appears visually appealing. The Corvette hybrid looks like a mix of Stingray and Z06 Charles. Charles. It’s, for instance, 3.6 inches wider than the “base” model. Other specifications include a unique body stripe design and standard carbon flash badging and black exhaust tips that are available as well as a carbon fiber-based ground effect. Wheels made of carbon fiber are offered.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Hybrid Release Date & Price
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will be built on the same lines as the other models of the ‘Vette at a facility that is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The plans suggest that the hybrid will launch later this year. Chevy officials have admitted that the current shortage of parts that include chips made of semiconductors could affect the timeframe.
The entry-level E-Ray package, 1LZ coupe, starts at $104,295 including delivery charges. This is just a fraction of the Z06 model, which has an initial price of $106,395. The E-Ray is also available in convertible trim, priced at a level below the Z06 ragtop. This could mean an increase of about $7,000.