First hybrid Corvette gets electric boost to deliver near-500kW power punch and sub-3.0sec 0-100km/h pace
If you thought Ferrari and Honda had a monopoly on exotic mid-engined hybrid supercars, think again.
Seven decades after the first Corvette broke cover in 1953, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray combines an old-school pushrod 6.2-litre LT2 V8 with an advanced electric motor electric and eAWD system to deliver blistering acceleration – and it’ll be produced from the factory in right-hand drive for markets including Australia.
“Yes, it will be coming to Australia and New Zealand,” a GMSV spokesperson told carsales today, confirming the E-Ray will join the regular Corvette already on sale and the upcoming high-performance Corvette Z06.
“It is with great excitement we can confirm that the next-gen Corvette, the E-Ray, will make its way Down Under. Stay tuned for more details,” added the GMSV spokesperson.
The Chevy Corvette 1LZ hybrid goes on sale late 2023 in the US in both coupe and convertible body styles, priced at $US104,295 and $111,295 respectively.
Local arrival timing and pricing for Australia and New Zealand have not been confirmed, but the groundbreaking American supercar’s vital statistics most certainly have.
Chevrolet claims the AWD Corvette E-Ray will hit 97km/h (0-60mph) in just 2.5 seconds, which would make it one of the fastest supercars on the market and more than a match for the mid-engine Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid, which dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds.
The new Corvette E-Ray is also likely to be considerably more affordable than the $604,000 Ferrari 296 GTB.
Tadge Juechter, the chief engineer of the Chevrolet Corvette, confirmed the E-Ray is the quickest Corvette ever made and stops the quarter-mile clock at a very handy 10.5 seconds.
The Corvette engineering boss also reckons the E-Ray will deliver top-notch ride and handling in most conditions: “Corvettes must provide an exhilarating driving experience on backroads and tracks, and E-Ray nails it.
“The electrification technology enhances the feeling of control in all conditions, adding an unexpected degree of composure,” he said.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray powertrain details
Chevrolet has detailed the new model’s powertrain, revealing it is powered by the same mid-engine LT2 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 (369kW/637Nm) as the Corvette Stingray that’s combined with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
But the V8 is augmented by a 120kW/165Nm permanent magnet electric motor powered by a small 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery to deliver a grand total of 481kW of power, or 655hp.
The e-motor drives the front wheels (but leaves room for frunk space) and the battery is recharged via regenerative braking and engine power in the plugless hybrid powertrain,
A widely-publicised stealth mode allows the Corvette E-Ray to drive near-silently in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 72km/h (45mph).
Standard features include Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with three damper settings and staggered 20/21-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.
The electrified Corvette is wider than regular models by an impressive 91mm (3.6 inches) because it shares DNA with the Z06, which gives it more attitude and combines with new styling cues such as unique twisted five-spoke star alloy wheels and carbon flash badging.
“There’s never been a Corvette like E-Ray and its sophisticated design reflects that,” explained Phil Zak, the global design director at Chevrolet.
There are 14 exterior paint colours including Riptide Blue, Seawolf Gray and Cacti, which are new for 2024 Corvettes, along with a body-length stripe package in Electric Blue which is exclusive to E-Ray models.
The interior can be had with a new ‘Artemis Dipped’ colour scheme comprising deep green tones across almost all cabin surfaces. There are seven interior colour options together with three seat choices and carbon-fibre trim packages.
GM president and former GM Holden chief Mark Reuss said the eighth-generation Corvette ventures into uncharted territory with the E-Ray and “expands the promise of what Corvette can deliver… as the first electrified, all-wheel-drive Corvette.”
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Keyword: 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray confirmed for Australia