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GM Authority

This Is Not The C8 Corvette Z06

Earlier this week, we featured new spy shots of the upcoming C8 Corvette E-Ray Hybrid, and now, we’re getting another look at the electrified Vette with a fresh round of photos. While we fully expect others to identify this prototype as the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06, what we’re actually looking at is in fact a more completed version of the E-Ray.

One of the most notable things we see in these new photos is a heavy dose of exterior cladding and camouflage, which is in place to hide the fact that the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will have different exterior elements compared to the standard Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray.

This prototype is also definitely all-wheel-drive. Looking at the corners, we find the wheels are covered up in new camouflage, hiding the electric motors underneath.

There’s also exhaust pipes in back, and they too are definitely working. As for the powertrain setup, the C8 Corvette E-Ray Hybrid will be analogous to the current Stingray model, but will also equip hybrid components that include an electric drive unit ahead of the cargo area, as well as four centrally mounted 1.94-kWh batteries. The hybrid components will add an extra 115 horsepower and 111 pound-feet of torque, and will mate to the same all-atmosphere 6.2L LT2 V8 as the standard 2020 Corvette Stingray, boosting output to around 600 ponies total.

Again, we need to reiterate that this is not the new C8 Corvette Z06. Rather, the C8 Corvette Z06 will come equipped with a 5.5L V8 DOHC with a flat-plane-crank. The new ‘eight will be naturally-aspirated, not twin-turbo, and will produce around 650 horsepower.

As for the E-Ray, look for it to launch late in 2020 or early next year, with both a Coupe and Convertible model on offer. We will provide more info on the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 in follow-up posts.

In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Once again Barras’ touch at GM messing with a Good thing. I’m 38 I hate the idea of any hybrid or electric let alone a Corvette version. As a shareholder of GM im disgusted that they think a “woke ” version of the Corvette will sell. I hope it fails miserably.

    Reply
    1. Anyone with your opinion either hasn’t driven a performance oriented electric/hybrid or are just willfully ignorant about them.

      Reply
    2. Sorry…that at 38 the future will take it’s 600 hp and pass you by.

      I am 48, in the prime of my earning years…and will buy one of these. Or a Z06.

      Reply
    3. I read a lot on here but never commented but after reading your comment I feel like I have to. You made a very ignorant comment and the fact that your a shareholder and want them to fail miserably makes absolutely no sense. Next time try an keep comments like these to yourself.

      Reply
    4. @José López hey man i am so sorry that your mind is 50 years in the past so get your old ass back in the c4 corvettes buddy and let the new ones thrive. Cause im pretty sure there is a huge majority of people who disagree!

      Reply
    5. No one is going to force you to buy a hybrid. The regular version will still be available.

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    6. You sound triggered. Shut down your devices, go for a walk, pet a dog, and post again after you’ve had time to think calmly and rationally.

      The NA FPC ZO6 will still be available. This E-Ray, if true, is what enables the more pure form of the Corvette. Those who value the Corvette’s Grand Touring character may even be surprised to discover they prefer the hybrid ‘Vette to the Stingray version.

      Reply
  2. Really excited to see how this model works out

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  3. Car and driver has these pics as a Z06 due to the wider rear fenders and wide tires. Those definitely look like 335’s. Whatever this is it’s exciting times ahead for the vette

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    1. C&D is going off erroneous information. I observed as that story developed by the source of the shots, and the thinking was incorrect.

      All I will say is… the vehicle you seen in the spy shots here is not the C8 Z06.

      GM Authority will have more actual info on the Z06 in the coming days.

      Reply
      1. Can’t wait!

        Reply
  4. Z06 and all wheel electric. Sounds like the rumoured HellRay to me.

    Reply
  5. Chevrolet Corvette Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, knows how to keep a secret and for years had said that the prototype pictures that car magazines had been publishing was ‘not’ the C8 Corvette as it was Juechter that pushed the narrative that the apparent mid-engine car was potentially a production Cadillac Cien and was possibly Cadillac’s new halo model; thus, this all means that Juechter and most within Chevrolet will not say much about new Chevrolet models until the vehicles have been already been introduced which means every printed common is speculation at best.

    Reply
    1. Huh? No engineer working on a project like this goes above and beyond to keep these secrets. These are people simply doing their jobs. If info gets out, it gets out. Simple as that.

      Also, Tadge never pushed the narrative that the C8/mid engine Corvette is a Cadillac. Your understanding of how this works is really off.

      Reply
    2. The trademark remark by Corvette team people is that they deny everything and state we do not discuss anything on future products.

      Now it is not beyond them to put out some hints on mules. One early test car was a new Malibu with the mid engine setup in the back seat. The car had C7 rear wheels, a C7 emblem on the back flanked by Ferrari tail lamps.

      This was an in your face Easter eggs that was missed or dismissed by many.

      The truth is GM got aggressive on leaks. Engineers used to speak freely but today no longer.

      If news gets out it is a big deal as it leads to losing you job or worse jail time.

      Hard to say what all is coming as the door is open on what can be done now with a new platform.

      We may also want to think out of the box and the new models or variations we may see. Old names may fade and new classics may be created.

      Reply
      1. There was never a “Malibu” test mule. There was one based on a Holden pickup, but never a Malibu. GM has been pretty candid on the development process, even showing a bunch of prototypes, including the Holden.

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    3. I’m stoked to read that there’s an 650hp NA flat plane crank V8 engine Corvette in the works! Who (else) does that? Ferrari? Nope. NA V12. Anyone else? I can’t think of anyone else except Ford with the GT350. This will be an instant Corvette classic.

      Reply
  6. I believe Car and Driver – it’s the ZO6.

    Reply
    1. Believe who you want, but it’s not the Z06. More actual info on that model coming (very) soon.

      Reply
      1. So many pretenders. Here’s how the game works: there are those in the know and there are those who guess. Most outlets just guess and C&D is guessing wrong on this one. GMA is the only site that actually gets things right most of the time; not all the time though.

        In this case, GMA is spot on and this is not the Z06.

        Reply
        1. The supposedly wider fenders are part of the charade of the camo. The tires are the same size as the regular stingray. The real question is what’s lies ahead of the front windshield.

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          1. The rear tires are at least 335, nowhere near the current C8. I have a 15 ZO6 and know 335 tires when I see them.

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        2. could be the zr1 testing as well, plus why would they cover it up with so much camo unless there was some major aero under it, all which gm would most likely not do and would use a test mule instead and the vette isnt coming til sometime twards the end of its life cycle which is a LONG LONG way out (2020 is inacurrate to what gm has done in the past since a model like this would come out after the z06 and zr1 as it has such a major performance advantage over both the z06 and zr1 such as 1000hp and its track oriented) so its still a long way til youll see actual pre production testers. Also remeber the rumors of a zora corvette are gone since that was basically the c8 stingray. so I believe with all the stuff ive seen from gm and from past corvette product lines that this isnt the hybrid and nor are the other photos which show MAJOR DIFFERENCES between them. plus gm to test an uncovered prototype and then a camoed prototype, no other OEM does that and its just dum. so unless i have actual legit leaked info, a look under the prototype, or a sound from the exhaust I believe its not the hybrid (which by the way is also a still a rumor and speculation).

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        3. I think we are missing some important observations. There have been photos of what appears to be e-ray mules without a wider stance and tires. Also they were not as heavily disguised as this vehicle. Which leads me to believe it’s more than a hybrid version.

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          1. Reply
  7. This is the ls2 hybrid wide body with covers over the wheels. Hiding production inherent.
    It is not a plug in

    Reply
  8. Lt2 sorry
    20 front
    21 rear
    All seasons
    No torque vectoring

    Reply
  9. Only 10 to 15 mins of awd
    Nothing like nsx

    Reply
  10. Very sad for 8 years of development

    Reply
  11. Not zo6

    Zo6 is unique with flat plane crank. No hybrid option ever.

    Lt7 twin turbo with hybrid may exceed 1000 hp in total. This equals zr1

    Reply
  12. This is the z06. E-Ray has the same widebody and tire sizes. Z06 will come first, by a MY or two. Alex’s intel is usually pretty good, but not this time

    Reply
    1. If you really knew what you were talking about, you would know that there is a key piece missing from this car that disqualifies it from being a Z06.

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      1. Only thing is that there isn’t enough evidence to support it, also you always have to question whether a journalist source is legit or someone with speculative knowledge of GMs strategy. I’m not saying it couldnt be a hybrid, but who knows it could be the zr1 that’s hybrid, or not even a hybrid at all and just another variant. All I’m saying is that I always question and there’s been times where the journalists sources have been incorrect or provided false info, and I’ve been on this site long enough to know there’s been sometimes where the journalist was right, somewhat, or completely wrong. So unless you’re an engineer or spy then I will believe nothing until I have PROOF and a reliable listed source.

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      2. Why would a FWD electric drive require huge rear tires? Makes zero sense.

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      3. I’d look at my track record of posts here if I were you. Also, there are many missing pieces on these ivers, you would not be able to tell the difference between a camouflaged z06 and e-ray. Some have wings, some do not—on each. This is he Bosch crew doing brake testing up north.

        Ask me how I know that, idiot.

        Reply
        1. So your saying it is or it isn’t the Z06.

          Reply
  13. Chewing popcorn…

    Reply
  14. if it’s the E-Ray… whew it’s a step in the right direction… one vehicle that I think they’re seriously focused on… I wish this thinking would permeate the organization as a whole….

    Reply
  15. So, we are adding an all wheel drive (front wheels) hybrid system which is entirely separate from the rest of the power train (rear wheels) that will reduce acceleration loads on the rear wheels yet we increase their size?

    🤔

    Reply
  16. This has to be a Z06 because it wouldn’t make sense for it to be a zr1 or electric Corvette when they haven’t even released the Z06. Plus I’m sure their not going to use the wide body and bigger tires on the electric Corvette before the classic line up came out first…basic, Z06, zr1.

    Reply
  17. I only want to know one thing. When will the Z06 be sold? December of 2020 or 2021? Electric is of no interest to me.

    Reply
    1. Yes most likely in that timeframe considering the z06 from the c6 c7 generations launched a year or two after there base model counterparts.

      Reply
  18. They’re gonna have to come up with a less cringey name than “E-Ray” if they want my money. They should call the hybrid the Zora; he would have gone to hybridization the second it became a thing.

    Reply
  19. These are photos of two different cars. Both a wide-body C8 performance variant (with the white mirror body details) and apparently wider tires,, sans Z-51 spoiler, and then the other vehicle, which GMA asserts is the e-ray. It shows mirrors in full camo AND the Z51 spec rear spoiler.

    Reply
  20. Just a correction: The front electric motor doesn’t go in front of the frunk, it goes behind and below it. This keeps the mass between the axles and the center of gravity low.

    I don’t think we can post photos here but if you check out the C8 reveal cutaway frame photos, you can see the location for the electric motor. It’s right in front of the center tunnel and next to the front axle line. Behind, not in front of, the hydraulic pump for the front lift system.

    Reply

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