Most hybrid supercars we see take smaller engines and pair them with hybrid motors. Not the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.
This new hybrid version of the Corvette didn’t get wimpy on us and use a V6 or another small engine. Instead, this incredible hybrid supercar pairs the electric engine with the venerable 6.2-liter LT2 V8 engine. This engine has served GM well in many vehicles, and now it handles most of the power offered in the new E-Ray. This is an extremely quick hybrid, giving us what hybrid power should be.
No slouch allowed
The 6.2-liter V8 LT2 engine can deliver 495 horsepower in the Corvette E-Ray. This is the standard power delivery of the Stingray model, which uses this engine to send power to the rear wheels. The E-Ray adds an electric motor on the front axle to increase the total power output to 655 horsepower for this hybrid supercar. The added power means a much faster sprint time for the Corvette. This version can hit 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds and will finish a quarter-mile run in 10.5 seconds.
You don’t need to plug in this car
The movement toward PHEVs for some supercars has been strong, which means you might expect the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray to be one. Why not? Both the Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura are PHEVs. Instead of a plug-in version, you’ll enjoy the standard hybrid set up which allows owners to step in and just drive. This car is a regular hybrid with a 1.9-kWh battery pack that is charged through the regenerative braking system. There is an electric-only Stealth Mode that is great for driving at up to 45 mph when the engine is off. This could be ideal for driving in your neighborhood.
This Corvette is packed with goodies
The E-Ray brings a performance package that makes it a wonderful car to drive. You’ll find Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, specific 20-inch front/21-inch rear wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires, an upgraded body style that’s a little wider than the standard Stingray, and a set of adaptive dampers. Of course, with the hybrid power system on the front axle, this is the first-ever AWD Corvette. That means better grip, control, and driving experience when you’re out on the road or during a tack day that you scheduled for some fun.
A heavier Corvette for you
Sports cars should be lightweight, but that is becoming a moot point when you consider the electrical items add about 300 pounds to this car. The Tesla Model S is extremely quick, and its weight doesn’t seem to both the car at all. This new hybrid Corvette is offered in both body styles, and we expect the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray to be in the 4,000-pound range. This means the E-Ray is not only the first AWD Corvette but also the first to weigh more than two tons making it the heaviest model ever made.
Does the electric motor delete the front trunk of the Corvette?
The small front motor of this high-performance hybrid car loses about one cubic foot of volume compared to its gas-only brethren. That means you still have some cargo room in the front of this car when you want to take a few items with you and head out on a fun and active drive in this amazing performance car.
In addition to more power and performance, the gauge cluster has changed with more features, views, and functions. There’s a screen in the gauges specifically for the Stealth Mode, which worst great for up to five miles of driving while using only electric power.
When should we expect the E-Ray?
The new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will arrive later this year, and it’s coming to us at a starting price of $104,295. This is about $40,000 more than the base price of the Stingray coupe but it’s less than the new Z06. This puts the E-Ray in a unique position as a new car with lots of power and a relatively affordable price (the hybrid Ferrari costs nearly three times as much).
The new E-Ray version of the Corvette is on the way, and it’s ready to be the car that could offer an excellent package of features for some fun. This new Chevy performance car is a serious hybrid model that shows what it means to hit all the right notes for hybrid performance.
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