2023 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray revealed as 655bhp hybrid supercar
The Corvette is going hybrid for the first time, but it’s paired to a large displacement V8
As first customer Z06s begin to hit the road, Chevrolet has revealed its brand new electrified variant to go with it: the all-wheel drive Corvette E-Ray. Set to go on sale later this year in the US, it will be priced in the US from $104,295 for the coupe, rising to $111,295 for the convertible. Details on UK availability are yet to be disclosed.
Despite being Corvette’s first step into the world of electrification, the E-Ray retains its naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre LT2 V8 as the base Stingray, keeping its signature soundtrack in play. Its individual power figures are identical, at 495bhp and 470lb ft of torque, all being sent to the rear axle through an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. Augmenting this is a compact electric motor mounted on the front axle, providing an additional 160bhp and 125lb ft of torque, leading to a combined power figure of 655bhp, marginally lower than the 670bhp of the track-focused Z06.
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Thanks to its four-driven wheels, straight-line performance is the strongest of any road-going Corvette, with the 0-60mph sprint happening in 2.5sec and the quarter-mile in just 10.5sec and 130mph, putting it ahead of the lighter Z06. Its dry weight is rated at 1712kg for the coupe, representing a 151kg increase over the pure-combustion Z06 due to the additional electrical componentry and 1.9kWh battery pack.
Designed to be an everyday supercar, Chevrolet says the E-Ray’s all-wheel drive system continuously adapts to the road surface and alters power distribution depending on the use case. The hybrid system also allows for silent, electric-only running up to 45mph providing the system has enough charge, although the compact battery pack means pure-EV range will be limited to short distances.
The E-Ray features the same wider bodywork as was initially seen on the Z06, which overall is 91.4mm wider than a standard Stingray. It also features the Z06’s front bumper, although the rear end is bespoke. Buyers have plenty of choice when it comes to specification too, with four wheel finishes and fourteen exterior colours available, including three new colours for the 2024 model year. Exclusive to the E-Ray is a new decal package, plus carbonfibre wheels and exterior trim is also available.
Behind its wider, staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels are standard Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, with the additional wheel width allowing for chunky 275 and 345-section tyres front and rear. The E-Ray will be fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport all-season rubber as standard, but this can be swapped for more performance-biased Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber as part of the optional Performance package.
The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will go on sale later this year with prices starting from $104,295, making it just the next step of the C8 generation that’s already seen extensive transformation over the models that came before. With the current generation Corvette in full factory right-hand drive production, the likelihood of it arriving in the UK is likely, although it’s still too early for Corvette to confirm this for certain.
