Electrifying America’s Sports Car
70 years after the introduction of the 1953 original, Chevrolet has revealed the latest, and fastest Corvette ever. Capable of blasting from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, the 2024 Corvette E-Ray is the fastest-accelerating Corvette ever – and it’s also a hybrid.
The first-ever electrified Corvette is also the first production version of America’s sports car to have all-wheel drive – which also makes it the most versatile Corvette in history. The Corvette E-Ray is an awesome sports car that Corvette owners can drive anywhere, no matter what the season, and its electrified powertrain enhances both its performance as well as its long-distance touring ability. Available as both a removable-roof coupe and as a hard-top convertible, the E-Ray is the perfect Corvette for everyday use, its performance only eclipsed by the hardcore Z06 on the racetrack.
Huge Power and Electric All-Wheel Drive
The E-Ray combines a powerful 495-hp 6.2-liter LT2 small-block, naturally-aspirated V8 with a 1.9-kWh battery pack and an electric motor that drives the front wheels. Total combined output is 655 hp; more importantly, the combination of the large-displacement V8 and electric power provide a huge amount of low-end torque for instant responsiveness. The V8’s natural aspiration also gives the Corvette E-Ray a unique character and distinctive sound.
What makes the E-Ray so special, besides the performance and efficiency advantages provided by its hybrid propulsion, is its intelligent eAWD system. eAWD constantly learns the road surface, seamlessly adapting to meet real-time traction conditions as well as the driver’s needs. In low-traction environments, the Corvette E-Ray’s eAWD system pushes more power to the front wheels, helping to enhance stability. When powering out of corners, the electric front motor provides extra traction and further enhances the Corvette’s stunning acceleration.
The Corvette E-Ray Has Multiple Drive Modes
A number selectable drive modes are tailored for different driving conditions, which vary the amount of electric assist: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode and Z-Mode. There is also a full-electric Stealth mode that allows all-electric driving up to 45 mph, and a Charge+ mode, which maximizes the battery’s state of charge on for racetrack use. For more relaxed situations, the E-Ray’s active fuel management system enhances fuel economy by switching the powerful V-8 to four-cylinder mode, and maximizing its use of the electric motor.
The Corvette E-Ray is not a plug-in hybrid. Its battery is charged via regenerative energy from coasting and braking, as well as during normal driving. Other interesting driving features include a standard Brembo carbon-ceramic brake system for light weight and optimized braking performance; standard adjustable “magnetic ride control” shocks; staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels, and an enhanced roster of driver assistance features. Standard features on the E-Ray include lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and automatic emergency braking.
Aggressive, Purposeful Design
E-Ray’s appearance builds on the aggressive, angular eighth-generation Corvette and adds a number of unique elements. It shares its wide-body proportions with the extreme, track-focused Corvette Z06 in order to accommodate its wider, twisted five-spoke wheels. The wheels, unique to the E-Ray, are joined by E-Ray specific body-color trim, an available body-length stripe in electric blue, carbon-colored badging, and more. Optional features include carbon-fiber ground effects, lightweight carbon-fiber wheels, and different stripe packages.
Inside, the E-Ray incorporates new controls for its hybrid drivetrain including Charge+ and Stop/Start buttons on the center console, and hybrid-specific updates to the infotainment system and instrument cluster to provide its driver with additional information. There is also a special “Artemis Dipped” interior, which has deep green tones on nearly every interior surface – an indication, perhaps, of the E-Ray’s green credentials. Seven other interior color choices are available if you don’t like green – as well as two carbon-fiber trim packages, three seat choices, and a number of individual options.
On Sale Later This Year
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray goes on sale soon, and has a starting MSRP of $104,295 for the 1LZ coupe version, and $111,295 for the 1LZ convertible version. Like all of the other versions of America’s sports car, the hybrid Corvettes will be built in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
