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C8 Corvette E-Ray Spied Testing At GM Milford Proving Ground

A camouflaged prototype for the upcoming C8 Corvette E-Ray hybrid has been photographed testing at the GM Milford Proving Ground in Michigan by sharp-eyed GM Authority spy photographers.

As we reported previously, the C8 Corvette E-Ray will serve as an indirect replacement to the Grand Sport in the Corvette’s lineup. As such, it will receive the same widebody exterior styling treatment as the C8 Corvette Z06. Where it will differ, though, is with regard to the powertrain. Whereas the C8 Corvette Z06 will be powered by a naturally aspirated 5.5L flat-plane crank V8 (aka the LT6), the E-Ray is expected to receive the same 6.2L LT2 V8 engine as the regular Stingray, which will be paired with a single electric motor mounted in the front cargo area and a tiny 1.94 kWh lithium-ion battery mounted in the middle of the chassis.

This electric motor and battery will be good for roughly 115 horsepower and 111 lb-ft of torque, which will compound with the 6.2L LT2 V8’s output for a total system output of around 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.

This particular Corvette E-Ray prototype was spotted driving on the North-South straightaway at Milford. It’s believed to be wearing the basic Stage 1 aerodynamic setup, lacking the large rear wing and other downforce-producing elements that have been seen on C8 Corvette Z06 test cars. The C8 Corvette Z06 is expected to be offered with three different aerodynamics packages that offer varying levels of downforce. The stage 1 kit is the least aggressive and will have the lowest amount of drag, making it better suited to straight-line performance.

GM Authority was the first to report on the Corvette E-Ray name after General Motors filed two applications to register “Corvette E-Ray” and “E-Ray” as trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office back as 2015. The E-Ray will be the first hybrid C8 Corvette model variant to arrive, but it won’t be the last, with the ultra-performance ZR1 and Zora variants also expected to utilize similar gasoline-hybrid powertrains.

It’s currently not clear when GM plans to debut the C8 Corvette E-Ray, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority to keep up with Corvette E-Ray news as well as regular Corvette news, mid-engine Corvette news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. Another day another camouflaged Corvette. I’m over the camo, lets see the real Z06 and E-Ray already lol.

    Reply
  2. Another day, another error by GMA. You write: “This electric motor and battery will be good for roughly 115 horsepower and 111 lb-ft of torque, which will compound with the 6.2L LT2 V8’s output for a total system output of around 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.”

    You can’t just add the peak HP of the electric motor to the peak HP of the ICE to get total peak HP. The electric motor makes maximum power (and torque) at very low rpm, where the ICE is weakest, and much less power at higher rpm, where the ICE peaks. The electric motor will make a massive improvement in acceleration from a standing start, but will not add 115HP to the 495 the ICE makes at peak. Total system output will NOT be 600HP and 600 lb/feet.

    Reply
    1. Stop talking like you know. You don’t know. Nobody does outside team corvette.

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      1. Other than pointing out the calculations used are incorrect bob was not claiming to know anything.

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    2. The HP added may be correct but it may not represent the coming performance numbers is the better way to describe it.

      Power is power but when it is distributed in different areas it can change the end results.

      Working the electric to launch the car in AWD then letting the ICE finish the job is what is going on.

      We had a AWD 32 Ford with 600 hp from a Chevy 0-60 was 3 seconds but the quarter mile was slower due to the AWD taking 150 hp to drive it.

      The Electric AWD front drive will not lose any parasitic HP loss.

      It is more about efficiency than anything. More grip less parasitic loss.

      The Ford picked up 1.5 seconds with the front drive not running.

      Reply
  3. Bob Jr. here, noticed a frumpy sweater in the corvette mule, must be Bara testing it out…

    Reply
  4. So now the Corvette is a prius. Mary’s got to go.

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  5. Ummm, what’s the point of the hybrid??? They have the battery technology, why not just make it an EV??? It will be that eventually, why screw around with the hybrid??? As noted by “GM is better”, now Chevy has a Corvette Prius/VOLT. A technological step backward I’d say!

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  6. Yawn…still got hit with the ugly stick. I hoped it might grow on me, but it hasn’t

    Reply
  7. Why are the side vents Cover up ? Wouldn’t the engine overheat? Is there a engine back there? E-RAY BEV Corvette C8 ME ? E-RAY Could be a option package for there Z06 Model.

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  8. With the elimination of the front storage area the E-Ray will be pretty limited for travel. Probably better off going for a Z06. Took delivery of my C8 about 3 weeks ago and and storage is tight no matter how Chevy spins it. 2 golf bags, no way! My one just fits in and it’s not as large as many. My 50th Ann. Edition is in better in terms of usable space. Still love the new C8 though.

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    1. I don’t golf so no problem. Only issue I have with the article is the size of the battery – WAY TOO small. I doubt a battery that size could even power a 100 hp motor – for more than a couple of miles. Why bother. Needs to be over 10kWh

      Reply
    2. It still has the frunk. The electric motor goes just behind the front axle, far away from the cargo area.

      Reply
  9. Ordered a C8 on 1/21/20 and still waiting! I will either die before I get it or they will be make them able to fly!

    Reply
  10. My only gripe with the C8 is the lack of an Active Rear wing. I personally am not a fan of the so called Pep Boys tacked on looking rear wings. Having said all that, I still want a C8 Convertible in a couple years but an Active Rear Wing would silence all the critics.

    Reply
  11. Just a quick question, how can you tell from the picture whether this is an E-ray or a Z06 prototype? The brake setup has always been the tale tell sign of differing models in the past but GM has done their best to conceal that now.

    Thanks

    Reply
  12. That isn’t the e-ray, it has bigger exhaust tips and is a Z06 widebody. Wheels and tires give it away too. The e-ray will have lt2 and smaller exhaust tips.

    Reply

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