Corvette E-Ray confirmed for Australia

As part of a broader announcement detailing expansion of their range for 2024 and beyond, General Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV) has confirmed that the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will be coming to Australia.

“GMSV has made a real impression in the local market and, thanks to this success, we’ve been able to make a strong business case for additional models,” said Greg Rowe, Director of GMSV.

“The popularity of GMSV and the vehicles we sell through our network has grown substantially in a few short years and this success was what inspired us to investigate the possibility of adding an all-new model to the line-up.”

The first all-wheel drive Corvette, as well as the first-ever hybrid to wear the famous nameplate, the E-Ray will be built in right-hand drive in the USA, unlike the Chevy Silverado pickups offered by GMSV, which come here in LHD form and are converted. GMSV say that more than 8,000 of these full-sized pickups have been re-engineered locally since late 2020.

The E-Ray retains the current Corvette Stingray’s LT2 naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 that produces 369kW at 6450rpm and 637Nm at 5150rpm, and drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

To this, the E-Ray adds an electric motor on the front axle - not to improve fuel economy, but to provide additional traction and improved handling. Fed by a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery, output from the electric motor is listed at 119kW and 165Nm.

Combined output is claimed at 488kW, with 0-100km/h possible in around 2.5 seconds, making the E-Ray the fastest accelerating production Corvette ever. Additionally, Chevrolet is anticipating that the E-Ray can complete the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds.

“The electrified architecture makes this the most technologically advanced Corvette ever,” Rowe said, adding that production of the new model in RHD is expected to commence in mid-2024, which should mean local release before the end of this year.

Pricing has yet to be revealed, but with the MY24 Corvette Stingray 2LT coupe listed at $190,000 (+ ORCs), the Corvette E-Ray is expected to start around the $250,000 mark. If so, that’ll still be cheaper than the MY24 Corvette Z06, which starts at $336,000 and is also expected to arrive in Australia this year.

Further details on the Corvette E-Ray will be announced closer to Australian release.