The Corvette E-Ray gains battery power to become the fastest ever

Chevrolet celebrated the Corvette’s 70th birthday in grand style by introducing the first-ever electrified Corvette. It eases the iconic sports car into the electric age by giving it an AWD mix of V8 and electric motor power, making it the fastest Corvette ever, capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in 2, 5 seconds lands . Who says you can’t teach an old seventy new tricks?

The very first Corvette made its debut as a concept car on January 17, 1953 at General Motors’ Autorama event in New York City. Exactly 70 years later, GM breathed new life into the Corvette C8 with an additional drive.

“In 1953, the enthusiastic response to the Chevrolet Corvette concept sparked seven decades of passion, performance and American ingenuity,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “E-Ray takes it a step further as the first electrified Corvette with all-wheel drive and expands the promise of what Corvette can deliver.”

Extra power is always welcome in a Corvette, and this time Chevy is adding it via a second power plant. It still starts with the same 495-horsepower, 6.2-liter LT2 small-block V8 found midships in the 2023 Stingray, but this time it adds a 160-horsepower electric motor to power the front wheels and to complete the powerful eAWD layout. That e-motor also grinds out 125 lb-ft (170 Nm) of torque using power from a 1.9-kWh lithium-ion battery mounted between the seats. The total power available from the V8 and electric motor is 655 hp (481 kW).

Chevy makes it clear that the Corvette E-Ray is the fastest Corvette in history. After sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, about half a second faster than the 2023 Stingray, it completes the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds at 130 mph (209 km/h). The additional power of the electric motor can also be used to generate thrust when overtaking or exiting corners.

“The electrification technology improves the sense of control in all conditions and adds an unexpected level of composure,” promises Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer.

The E-Ray’s small battery pack does not require plug-in charging, relying solely on braking and coasting regeneration. Despite its small size, it provides enough power for an all-electric “stealth” driving mode, operating at speeds of up to 72 km/h. It sounds like this mode will be welcomed with open arms by teenagers sneaking out at night, as the all-electric operation available at launch is specifically designed for quietly leaving the neighborhood. The V8 kicks in automatically as soon as the battery runs out, the driver exceeds 70 km/h or more torque is needed.

In addition to Stealth Mode, the E-Ray manages V8 and electric power through six other selectable modes: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode and Z-Mode. A Charge+ function allows the driver to maximize the battery charge level.

Beyond the E-Power, the E-Ray will be fitted with a host of other high-end appointments, including standard Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and offset 20- and 21-inch Michelin Pilot wheels Sport all-season tires. The car is 3.6 inches (9.1 cm) wider than the Stingray and shares driver-assistance technologies like Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Warning with other 2024 Corvette models.

The 2024 Corvette E-Ray will be available later this year with a starting price of $104,295 for the 1LZ coupe and $111,295 for the convertible. Options include carbon fiber wheels and ground effects, black exhaust tips and bright badges. The new models will be manufactured at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky from US and global components.

Enjoy the first E-Ray action in the video below.

Source: Chevy