The Corvette E-Ray will offer enhanced performance over the regular model thanks to its advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain. Previous reports indicated the electric portion of the E-Ray’s new hybrid powertrain would consist of a single electric motor mounted at the front of the vehicle, but Chevy has now decided to double up on the number of front-mounted motors in the vehicle.
According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Corvette E-Ray will feature two independently controlled front electric motors producing 50-plus horsepower each. The future Corvette variant will utilize the same 6.2L LT2 V8 engine as the base model, which produces 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the optional performance exhaust. Between the two electric motors and naturally aspirated V8 engine, the E-Ray should have a combined system output of over 600 horsepower.
This power increase, coupled with the torque vectoring capabilities of the independently controlled electric motors, will give the E-Ray significantly improved performance over the regular Corvette Stingray. The vehicle will gain a little bit of weight, however, mainly due to the presence of a small 1.94 kWh lithium-ion battery mounted in the middle of the chassis. The mounting position for the two front electric motors will also rob the vehicle of some “frunk” space, though the front storage area will still have a limited amount of room for smaller items.
As we reported previously, the Corvette E-Ray will indirectly replace the Corvette Grand Sport in the C8 Corvette’s model lineup. The E-Ray is also expected to receive the same widebody treatment as the upcoming Corvette Z06, mimicking the C7 Corvette Grand Sport, which shared its wider track and flared out fenders with the C7 Corvette Z06.
It’s not clear when the Corvette E-Ray might debut, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for all the latest Corvette E-Ray news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
These can’t be revealed soon enough
Isn’t the Corvette a “mid-engine” design? Then the two electric motors up front will make it a four-wheel driven hybrid.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) hybrid. Four-wheel drive is either engaged or not, traditionally. The system in the E-Ray will only be in use under heavy acceleration at low speeds and cornering. When at a stable speed it will be inactive.
It also will engage in loss of traction situations (such as wet weather and snow), similar to Haldex AWD and FCA AWD.
So it should help new Corvette drivers not total their $79,995 ride. Price without Super Cruise.
It won’t be a plug-in with a 1.94kwh battery. It’s way to small to make it a plug-in. The battery would be fully charged in about 15 or 20 minutes at L2. If a E mode was offered to move the car with only the electric motors then the range would be only a few miles. Seems more of a TEST CASE to see how AWD system will work on the vette. Probably increase fuel averages.
C9 corvette will probably be all electric.
Regarding C9 being electric : You think Texas had a problem with its power grid ,wait until all of these electric cars start recharging on the US grid (average age 62 years). Time to buy stock in wood burning stoves and candles? Oh yeah…one more thing, good luck on the recycling problems.
Luker, All valid points. GM announced last week they want to be all electric to include CARs and TRUCKs by 2035 and complete Zero emissions by 2040. The corvette development team was move into the electronification group/business unit. This was an announcement last year if I recall correctly.
Looking at the past generations of corvettes. GM will probably run the C8 into 2030 with the C9 introduction around 2031-2033. 10 years between generations seems average.
The C8 chassis is a prefect platform for electrification. One motor at each wheel and have the motors power each wheel for a given situation. The car will be fast through the corners for sure.
btw, I currently own two corvettes and i’ve own a total of eight over the past 20 years. I also own a Chevy Bolt.
ROBERT. Not sure what this reply has to do with the power grid.
Also not sure what cars owned has to do with post either
Then neverminded. disregard.
Texas clearly has issues and now they’re faced with constant lawsuits, insurance claims, excessive damage, and a failed electrical grid. Just saying that everywhere else no one had a problem just cause it snowed a bit. Just buy solar panels and buy enough so you have excess power and you can sell it to the power company and make a little money while your at it and help solve the power crisis. It worked great for me in Minnesota. But regardless our electrical grid is ancient to modern standards and needs to be updated probably before 2025 when EVs and Solar Panels become more prevalent which isn’t the biggest priority but it needs to be so we don’t have a nationwide power crisis like what’s happening in California and Texas with climate change issues and a growing population in Texas and other states near California and New York. So agree to disagree.
Are you an American, or are you an American’t?
Yes, I see the E-ray as an engineering Test case for the C9 development. Obviously it will be a working car and sold but a lot of knowledge will be gained with the E-Ray. That knowledge will directly shape the C8 Zora and more so the C9. I imagine when you see the briefings for the C9 by the development team in 10 or so years you will hear things like. “we took what we learned on the E-Ray an Zora AWD platform and further refined it for the C9”
The C9 will be electric. The C8 is EV capable. Both will essentially use the same frame. GM laid off Holden engineering because they don’t ever expect to change the frame again.
I suspect Zora will be a L2 plug-in and the E-Ray will either be regular hybrid or have a 120V AC in the frunk for topping off.
I still think E-Ray will have some potential to plug in because if the battery gets too low from sport driving you would lose AWD.
For reference the NSX has a pair of 36 hp motors on the front and a 1KWh battery. This is looking to better that set up and its not even the top level Vette.
With 2 batteries, will that use up the frunk space?
The motors and plumbing to make it happen will.
Time to buy stock in wood burning stoves and candles?
Start ordering your parts now, they can’t build what they have. Are they in production this week ???? Who knows
I’m hoping GM will resurrect the wonderful HT4100. Probably the finest engine ever made. It should be optional on every Corvette.
Will i be able to purchase an e-ray without the electric motors?😉
Electric Vette. Sounds like a band name. I wonder if Star Bucks will have fast chargers for them. I’d be happy if they’d reproduce the 59s (just the body) and let me add the frame suspension and drive train. I know there’s a Chinese “knockoff” …but that would be so wrong. Just say n for me and many friends . Plus there’d be need to worry about the lifters.