Today marks 70 years since Chevrolet debuted the Corvette at the Motorama auto show in New York City and changed the sports car world forever. Now Chevrolet is making a huge change to the Corvette formula, announcing the all-wheel drive and hybrid-electric 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.
The first hybrid 'Vette is also the fastest Corvette that Chevrolet has ever built. Its front-mounted motor helps the car hit 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and run the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds.
The 6.2L V8 we know and love from the standard car still sits mid-ship in the 2024 Corvette E-Ray. Just like in other Corvette models, it makes 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque and sends that power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
It's up front where the powertrain is different. A 1.9-kWh battery pack sends electricity to a motor that drives the front wheels with 160 hp and 125 lb-ft. The total output is 655 hp, almost as much as the 2023 Corvette Z06. Chevy doesn't give a combined torque output (that's common with hybrids), but it's a safe bet the combo makes more torque than the Z06's 5.5L V8 at almost anywhere in the power band.
The Corvette E-Ray gets what Chevrolet calls an intelligent all-wheel drive system. Chevy says the system is "constantly learning the road surface" and adapting to meet driver demands and available traction. The amount of front assist varies based on traction and drive mode.
Carbon ceramic brakes from Brembo come standard on the Corvette E-Ray, along with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0. 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport tires with Pilot Sport 4S offered as part of an available performance package. Chevy is giving the E-Ray a widebody package, too, making the car 3.6 inches wider than a standard Corvette Stingray.
Thanks to the electric motor, there is a new Stealth Mode for EV driving. The car can drive on electric power for short distances at speeds up to 72 km/h. The idea is to let you quietly exit your neighbourhood before the V8 comes to life and wakes everyone up. You can also engage Charge+ mode to make sure there's enough battery available when you get home. Or for your next drag race.
The E-Ray gets appearance changes including standard carbon flash badging, an E-Ray exclusive stripe package, and its own five-spoke wheel design. The E-Ray also introduces the deep green Artemis Dipped interior though that cabin will be offered on all 2024 Corvettes.
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray goes on sale this year. Pricing in Canada will start from $128,798 plus destination.
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