It wasn’t that long ago that hybrids were the laughingstock of the car community. The early production hybrid cars were bleak commuter cars with no character, driven by people whose dietary staple consisted of granola and kale. But ten years ago, when the first round of hybrid hypercars was launched, we got a taste of what hybrid technology could really bring to performance cars. It blended the visceral experience of the internal combustion engine with the added benefits of electrification.
With electrification knocking on our door, the automotive industry has been scrambling to launch new models and adapt existing ones to stay competitive. Even sacred performance-car brands like Porsche and Ferrari aren’t immune to this trend. The latest motoring icon to receive an electrification makeover is the Chevrolet Corvette. Recently we were able to get a sneak peek of the all-new 2024 Corvette E-Ray at The Petersen Museum.
A Radical New Corvette Formula
The Chevrolet Corvette has been around for seventy years, yet for nearly all of its life, the winning formula rarely changed. That was until the C8 was launched back in 2019. The eighth-generation Corvette saw the most radical change yet, it became the first mid-engined Corvette ever produced.
GM made that change to push the performance envelope forward, and we’ve recently seen how they plan on doing that with the help of electrification. We can hear the hardcore Corvette fans crying sacrilege, but keep in mind the same was said just a few years ago when the time-honored Corvette formula was changed. Since then, the C8 Corvette has become one of the most universally praised generations of all time.
Impressive Performance
The new E-Ray has the same rowdy 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 as the Stingray, which powers the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the engineers have squeezed a 160 horsepower electric motor up front, producing a combined 655 horsepower and a whopping 595 pound-feet of torque. The impressive performance combined with instant electric torque launches the E-Ray from a standstill to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, making this model, the quickest to ever don the Corvette badge.
Four-Season Fun
The new E-Ray is not only the first hybrid Corvette but also the first all-wheel drive one too. No longer will Corvettes be a seasonal pleasure that spends winters in the garage, this new drivetrain has the added benefit of four-season capability. This will help the Hybrid "Vette model compete with Audi and Porsche, which have long offered four-wheel drive on their sports cars.
While the V-8 powers the rear wheels, the front wheels are driven exclusively by the electric motor. The E-Ray has its own dedicated front axle designed to accommodate the 1.9 kWh battery pack. One thing about the E-Ray that not many seem to be talking about is the added weight. Squeezing in an electric drive unit and the auxiliary components that go along with it, comes with the drawback of a heavier car over a Z06. The E-Ray Coupe tips the scales at 3,774 pounds, compared to the 3,434 pounds Z06 while the E-Ray convertible weighs 3,856 pounds. This results in another first, the E-Ray will be the heaviest Corvette ever produced as well.
The First Look
Seen here on display is a beautiful Silver Flare Metallic Corvette E-Ray Convertible with blue heritage stripes and a two-tone blue interior. Chevrolet dramatically increased the amount of customization on offer for the C8, in order to compete with the European competition, and this spec certainly showcases that. Of course, all of this technology and customization will cost you, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray starts at $102,900 before options. You can design your own E-Ray on Chevy's website here.
It's not too often you see a six-figure Corvette, in fact, the track-focused Z06 is only a few thousand more than the E-Ray. So what's the difference? Well, the Z06 is a lightweight track monster that's street-legal, whereas the E-Ray is a high-performance sports car that can be daily driven and used in any climate. Both cars perform to a high level, but they fit completely different use cases.
The E-Ray exhibit recently closed, so if you haven’t already visited The Petersen Museum and seen the new model in the flesh we have you covered with some exclusive images of the stunning new E-Ray, and an in-depth deep dive on the E-Ray below, courtesy of Petersen's YouTube channel.