GM Authority spies have just spotted the upcoming Corvette E-Ray testing without any vinyl camouflage for the first time, giving us a relatively clear view of the hybrid sports car.
The photos were captured on German roads surrounding the infamous Nurburgring race track, a favorite among car manufacturers looking to test their latest and greatest performance models. As such, it stands to reason that Chevy was evaluating the Corvette E-Ray prototype on the challenging German race circuit.
Without heavy vinyl coverings, this Corvette E-ray prototype shows a number of externally visible features, starting with the widebody treatment at both the front and rear fenders.
The front fascia appears to be identical to that of the recently-teased C8 Z06, with a large center intake flanked by a set of ducts, followed by even larger intakes just below the headlights.
The body side features reconfigured fenders and intake treatment to work with the widebody configuration. Though the camo does a good job of obfuscating the side air intake, it looks like it will feature the same “wishbone” treatment as the recently-shown Z06.
2023 Corvette C8 Z06 is expected to feature the same widebody treatment as the C8 E-Ray
At the rear resides a subtle spoiler, along with a set of outboard exhaust pipes with quad, squared tips at the sides of the lower fascia, identical to those on the C8 Corvette Stingray. By comparison, the C8 Z06 – which will also have the same widebody treatment as the E-Ray – will feature a center-exit exhaust.
Interestingly, this Corvette E-Ray prototype also has smaller brake rotors than the 2023 Corvette Z06. The split seven-spoke wheels, which we haven’t seen previously since they were covered by wheel covers – feature a black finish and appear to be wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, the same tire compound used on the Z51-equipped Corvette C8 Stingray. Meanwhile, Stingray models without the Z51 package feature Michelin Pilot All Season 4 tires.
While the exterior features are certainly noteworthy, the most important updates will be under the skin. The Corvette E-Ray will boast the same atmospheric 6.2L V8 LT2 engine as the C8 Corvette Stingray, but the gasoline engine will be mated to a new hybrid system.
The hybrid system is expected to mount an electric motor in the front of the vehicle to power the front wheels, complementing the gasoline engine that drives the rear wheels, making the new Corvette E-Ray all-wheel drive. Peak output is expected to land around 600 horsepower.
As you can see, this prototype has no visible charge door. This is in line with what GM Authority sources have told us about the vehicle, namely that it will not be a plug-in hybrid model, but a regular hybrid.
Late in August, we spotted prototypes of the upcoming Corvette E-Ray testing alongside another hybrid all-wheel drive sports car – the Acura NSX. That test session gave us a chance to hear the new E-Ray accelerate, showing off not only the mid-mounted LT2, but also the front tires digging into the pavement thanks to the newfound electric motors.
As GM Authority covered previously, the C8 E-Ray will be available in both Coupe and Convertible body styles. The model seen here is the Coupe, which will feature a removable roof panel like the currently-available C8 Stingray. The Convertible will feature the same hard-top convertible setup as the Stingray ‘vert.
The E-Ray will represent an indirect replacement for the Corvette Grand Sport, which will not be available for the Corvette C8. Besides the Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray, the C8 family is also expected to include the C8 ZR1 and the range-topping C8 Zora.
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Comments
Anything that stands out like a charge port door?
No charge door since it’s not a plug-in…
None, I suspect when the E-Ray got moved to infill the Grand Sport, that they greatly reduced the PHEV aspirations… possibly saving those for the Zora. I do believe E-Ray began its life as a PHEV.
I suspect the E-Ray will be a traditional hybrid, with the possibility for a 120V AC to DC “top off” circuit in the frunk.
This would mostly be for show, but C8 does support front-wheel only operation in AWD. So it is possible they allow a 2-10 mile EV Only mode that would warrant Level 1 charging from the frunk at home. Depends on how many batteries they put in. Even one Ultium pack could get 10 miles a day of EV driving.
I’m still bullish there’s some charging potential, because as batteries get cheaper, they can refresh the E-Ray and tout more EV-only driving. And do it rather easily… just link a second pack in the tunnel (where there’s already slots) to the existing charge circuit. “New refreshed E-Ray now gets 20 miles of all-electric driving…”
Cuious, with a big ass 6.2l v8 onboard, why woukd it need any plug in charging in the first place? Between regenrative braking and the engine, you`d think the ICE is more than capable of keeping any on board batteries fully charged.
It depends on two factors: How much they let the front wheels spin, and how big the battery is.
The more you let the front wheels turn – the more “EV Only” action, either on the highway or in city traffic, the more the battery can drain.
If it’s like Haldex AWD where the non-drive wheels only turn when traction is lost, there won’t be need for plugging in.
Flux capacitor in the trunk or frunk?
So it’s not a plug and play.. I can get behind this kind of ride. No Big Battery under the seat. Just AWD to run with I’ll bet snow tires are a Option.. Love it..
Regardless of if it has a “top off” charge port in the frunk or not, it’s very clear you won’t ever have to charge the E-Ray to drive it. They definitely will be touting the small battery for its weight and cornering.
There absolutely will be snow tires available for the E-Ray.
Those wheels are siiiiiiiiiiick.
I love the C8
What is sick about them? They are black wheels with a 90’s star pattern, nothing special. Hardly even notice them when they are black. Wake me up when they have a nice aluminum design that isn’t black and from this decade…
Nailed it.
If you haven’t yet noticed, the trend is towards black wheels, particularly when it comes to sports/sporty vehicles and off-road vehicles.
So it’s it’s a trend, so was Covid-19. Doesn’t make them attractive.
I would say personally Gun metal grey wheels would be my choice over any other color.
But the Design of those wheels are sick. Might be the best yet from GM
I don’t understand why GM does not offer a wheel design like that on current C8’s. It’s a much improvement over the current wheel design. Some C8 owners are swapping out the current design because their ugly.
The wheels are very nice. Wish I had them on my C8. Interesting concept for the C8 being offered withe a little battery boost. Commend Chevy for for going all in with the C8.
No matter how many times I see it, I still think the Z06 wishbone side vent is butt ugly
Totally agree,
I don’t mind it but overall I feel like GM Design failed with the C8. They should have hired an outside designer but the leadership of Design Studio is so arrogant they think their designs are the best in the world. I also hear they have trouble attracting talent because it’s such a toxic workplace culture.
That’s just a ZO6. The original one’s had side mounted exhausts but they discovered they could tune the exhaust sound better with the exhaust pipes moved to the center. There’s still a few of the original side mounted exhaust ZO6es out testing.
LOL at the downvotes. There is literally video of that exact C8 with the same license plate out west revving out the engine and it is obviously the FPC V8 used in the ZO6.
The hybrids aren’t at the stage of validation that would have them out driving at the ‘Ring with such limited camo, and they surely will not have the same front fascia as the ZO6. That is not an E-Ray on German roads, it’s a ZO6.
I kind of like how it looks with that camo, I’d want one with that as the paint color lol. I’m glad GM is making this a hybrid rather than BEV. I hope the 7th gen Camaro gets the same treatment. Give me ICE for my back wheels, and EV for my front wheels.
Totally was supposed to happen with VSS-R, but that’s all dead now.
Camaro will go four door coupe and be based on Celestiq. We’ll be lucky if we get the same “take the limiters off” that Holden have the final Commodore VF units.
That’s the sweet spot for me: pushrod V8 torque & sound + electric front for launch/cornering + Z06 styling. I can add my own psychotic Rootes blower down the road.
Just a quick update, 2022 Porsche GT4rs track time at Nierenberg will give a goal for the zo6, e ray and the later zr1 and Zora
The E-ray track times for some will be the deciding factor on a new ride ! All is well at GM.