Chevrolet unveils Corvette ‘E-Ray’
After teasing an all-wheel drive version of the Corvette almost a year ago, Chevrolet has now made it official, unveiling the Corvette E-Ray on 17 January – 70 years to the day since the very first Corvette made its public debut at the GM Motorama in New York City.
Due for release in the US later this year as a 2024 model, the Corvette E-Ray will be offered in coupe and convertible form, with mechanical and cosmetic features that set it apart from the current eighth-generation Corvette Stingray.
“In 1953, the enthusiastic reaction to the Chevrolet Corvette kicked off seven decades of passion, performance and American ingenuity,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors president. “E-Ray, as the first electrified, all-wheel-drive Corvette, takes it a step further and expands the promise of what Corvette can deliver.”
V8 Preserved
While the ‘E’ in E-Ray refers to ‘electric,’ fans of internal combustion needn’t be worried. The Corvette’s LT2 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 producing 369kW and 637Nm is retained, with electric power only used to drive the front wheels. That electric motor, fuelled by a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery, produces a listed 120kW and 165Nm, with combined power output for the E-Ray listed at 481kW..
No mention is made of changes to the Corvette Stingray’s eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for the E-Ray, but presumably some tweaks have been undertaken to optimise the changes that come with all-wheel drive traction.
Incorporating the front axle’s electric motor is said to have minimal impact on the Corvette’s front boot space, while the battery sits between the seats for optimum weight distribution. Regenerative energy from braking, as well as normal driving, means there’s no need to plug in the E-Ray to recharge its battery. The battery also supports the V8’s stop-start system, while the electric motor can extend operation of the cylinder de-activation system in specific driving conditions to save fuel.
Quickest Corvette Ever
This ‘eAWD’ system in the Corvette E-Ray not only offers improved straight-line performance, but also better roadholding in wet weather and “sure-footed grand touring capabilities,” according to Chevrolet.
In straight-line terms, Chevrolet claim the upcoming E-Ray will be the fastest accelerating production Corvette ever, with a projected 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 2.5 seconds and the ability to cover the quarter mile in just over 10.5 seconds. That compares to a 3.0-second 0-100km/h for the current Corvette Stingray and 2.6 seconds for the Corvette Z06.
“Corvettes must provide an exhilarating driving experience on backroads and tracks, and E-Ray nails it,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette. “The electrification technology enhances the feeling of control in all conditions, adding an unexpected degree of composure.”
The intelligent eAWD system constantly adjusts to meet traction conditions and driver demands via the six available driving modes - Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode and Z-Mode – while customised Performance Traction Management modes are designed to work in harmony with this system.
Although the electric motor is there primarily to enhance traction and work with the V8 to improve performance, it can operate independently, capable of an estimated 5 miles (8km) of electric-only running and speeds of up to 45mph (72.4km/h) before the V8 kicks in. Chevrolet call this ‘Stealth Mode’.
For trackdays and other high-performance driving applications, a ‘Charge+’ feature maximises the battery’s state of charge to ensure constant performance from the front motor. Charge+ also ensures Stealth Mode is ready to be adopted to maximum effect when required.
The electric motor’s performance can be monitored on the E-Ray’s infotainment system via an E-Ray Performance App that displays data like power output, electrical system performance, efficiency and a dyno-like power/torque graph over selectable time periods.
However, while the electric motor and supporting battery improve traction and increase acceleration, they also add weight. The E-Ray is heavier than the equivalent Stingray coupe and convertible by 182kg and 173kg, respectively.
E-Ray Design
While the Corvette E-Ray is mostly unaltered from the existing Corvette coupe and convertible in terms of its design, it does get some styling features of its own.
The E-Ray body, like that of the Corvette Z06, is 3.6 inches (91.4mm) wider than the Stingray and will be offered in a choice of fourteen exterior colours, including new-for-2024 Riptide Blue, Seawolf Grey and Cacti (pale green) that can be matched to four different wheel finishes.
Carbon flash badging is standard, with metal badges, black exhaust tips, carbon fibre ground effect parts, carbon fibre wheels and other carbon fibre finishes optional.
E-Ray exclusives include wheels in a ‘twisted five-spoke star’ design and staggered 20-inch front and 21-inch rear sizes, instead of the 19/20 combination on the Stingray.
Also exclusive to the E-Ray is a full-length exterior stripe in Electric Blue and controls for the Charge+ feature and engine stop/start in the cockpit, while an ‘Artemis Dipped’ deep green treatment of the interior will also be available on other Corvette variants, but only for the 2024 model year.
Other interior choices include seven different trim colours, three seat options and two different carbon fibre trim options.
Premium Model, Premium Price
In their release from 17 January, Chevrolet says the Corvette E-Ray will go on sale in the US later this year as a 2024 model, priced from US$104,295 for the coupe and US$111,295 for the convertible. That pricing places it between the Stingray and Z06.
For now, the Corvette E-Ray will only be offered in the base Z06’s 1LZ trim, which is a separate designation from the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT grades used for the Stingray.
Australian release for the Corvette E-Ray has been confirmed, but local pricing has not been set and deliveries for the factory RHD vehicle aren’t expected until 2024.
The Corvette Stingray currently offered through GMSV dealers is available in 2LT and 3LT trims, and coupe and convertible bodies, with pricing starting at $159,990 (+ ORCs) for the MY23 2LT coupe.
