General Motors has filed a patent application for a new hybrid propulsion system that could potentially be utilized in the forthcoming C8 Corvette E-Ray and Corvette Zora.
This GM patent filing has been assigned application number US 2021/0009104 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was published on January 14th, 2022. It’s titled “Hybrid Propulsion System” and lists several Michigan-based engineers as the inventors.
According to the patent application, this hybrid propulsion system utilizes an electric motor to turn an input shaft on the vehicle’s transmission. A hybrid powertrain system such as this “may be referred to as a P2 hybrid configuration,” the application indicates, which is reserved for systems in which an electric motor “is arranged to introduce torque into a drivetrain between an internal combustion engine and a transmission.” The patent also says the transmission could be a traditional automatic, a manual, a dual or multi-clutch transmission, or a continuously variable transmission. The drawings in the patent show the setup laid out for a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, although the text says such a system could be modified to work in front- or all-wheel-drive applications, too.
With GM having largely abandoned plug-in hybrid vehicles in favor of EVs, there are really only two future products such a hybrid system could be applied to: the C8 Corvette E-Ray and Corvette Zora. These is the only PHEVs that GM has in the works for the North American market, to our knowledge, so it seems likely this patent is for the hybrid sports car’s electrified powertrain.
In related news, Tremec filed a patent for its hybridized dual-clutch transmission, which seems to be a perfect match to GM’s upcoming hybrid propulsion system.
As we reported previously, the Corvette E-Ray is expected to pair a small electrified motor/transmission unit with the Corvette’s naturally-aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine. The model will indirectly replace the Grand Sport in the Corvette model lineup and should utilize the same widebody exterior styling as the C8 Corvette Z06. This patent serves as evidence the hybrid sports car will utilize a motor-in-transmission style hybrid system, which will likely be fed energy by a small lithium-ion battery that is charged by the Small Block engine.
Meanwhile, the Corvette Zora is expected to be powered by a twin-turbo 5.5L V8 LT7 DOHC engine mated to a hybrid-electric drivetrain, with output reaching a mind-boggling 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel-drive will be responsible for putting all that power to the pavement.
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Comments
I think it’s also time for them to say adopt it to crossovers and SUVs honestly. The current malibu Hybrid could’ve been selling well IF GM and Chevy actually give it some good thoughts to advertise the hell out of it.
They missed the mark not offering a proper hybrid half ton truck and full-size SUV. EV adoption takes too long to just skip hybridization for 10-15 years. Especially when they have the batteries and motors already developed. I’m very very curious if they will course correct when the next gen Silverado comes out for 2025
They will not. Current Silverado will most likely end sale 2028-2030.
lol 2028-2030? GM isn’t the same as DodgeFiatRamStallantis… they do new models of trucks sooner than every decade… last generation was from 14-19… 2022 is the refresh and then 2025 will be the next generation… 2026 at the VERY latest..
The lithium ion battery is not charged by the Small Block engine at all. It is charged by the electric motor converted to become a generator when the brake pedal is applied, which is called regeration. There is no alternator in any hybrid.
yes regenerative braking, commonly used in other hybrid cars, uses the resistance from an electric synchronous motor. Electric motors can be used as a prime mover or a generator depending on the way you change the wiring and direction of rotation. So when going downhill or cruising/braking to a stop, you can use the force moving the car through the electric motor/generator to charge the batteries.
technically you COULD use the gas engine as a prime mover, and directly turn the shaft of the armature in an electric motor/generator, but that would not be practical. So majority of the time, the braking force or downhill gravity force is used instead.
YES GM!!!!!!! GIVE US HYBRID POWERED SPORTS CARS!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope the 7th gen Camaro has a hybrid system as well. I’m all for being environmentally friendly, but BEV’s are really inconvenient for people who don’t own their own house with a built-in BEV charger. Using gas while charging the hybrid batteries with regenerative braking is just so much more practical than BEV’s. You can use the electric battery in city driving to improve gas mileage, and use the gas engine when you need it. Also I would think BEV’s have smaller batteries which reduces weight, in turn improving handling.
1000HP 1000FTLBS from a 5.5L Twin-Turbo Hybrid CORVETTE!!!!!!! THAT’S ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine the 7th gen Camaro ZL1 getting this tech… good god.
Not to be a “Dumas “ but I find it highly unlikely that most owners of C8 Corvette’s don’t have a place to park their cars inside a garage even if they lived in the city. Outside of a few folks that actually go to the performance limits of these fine cars, most Corvette’s are garage queens. As such most Corvettes owners would probably get their rocks off driving a 1,000 Hp electric Vette.
Hey man you could’ve got your point across without using insults.
First of all, my point was I was hoping they give us more hybrid sports cars and that this hybrid tech bleeds over to Camaros (and others like the CT4/5).
Second of all, I know plenty of people who are renting the places they live in, but they drive $60k-$80 (cad) sports cars. Also what about people who own condos? Unless your condo already has BEV chargers, you can’t just install one wherever you like.
He never insulted you one time you’re just being a douche.
please explain to me what I said that makes me a douche?
the fact that I’m excited about hybrid sports cars?
is it not okay to prefer hybrid technology over BEV’s?
please copy and paste one thing I said that was demeaning or insulting towards anyone. If I was wrong I will apologize.
having different preferences or opinions than someone else doesnt make you a douche or a dumbass.
typo^
*hybrids have smaller batteries than BEV’s, reducing weight, improving handling*
GM Authority previously said the new E-ray will have 2 electric motors up front, one powering each front wheel. This would allow AWD with both systems engaged or FWD with only the electric system engaged. Did something dramatically change with the E-ray design or was the original posted information incorrect?
If GM Authority posted it, it was likely incorrect… people think this site is full of GM insiders sneaking out information to the public… in reality they’re just regular authors that make stuff up 90% of the time.. if you throw enough crap against the wall, some will eventually stick..
Couldn’t have said it better. This comes through very often.
I realize GM is just covering all the bases by including all transmission types in their patent application – but I really hope they never use a CVT in the Corvette.
CVT 🤢🤮
i am excited about AWD . have had that in my other sports cars for years. i also drive a hybrid and love the torque from a brushless AC motor. i am on board for this. welcome to the future
We had a choice of a all electric, or a gas engine hybrid that can charge itself.
In the long run, the gas engine hybrid that we never bother to plug in (but could) has been fantastic, for us.
Apartments have chargers now, for an added monthly fee, if yo can get a spot.
There are public charging lots, if you can get a ride home and back.
I do believe some people can work around all electric. And some of use benefit from Hybrid.
And some day, all gasoline will be not a luxury, but a hobby or a sport, like how horses are used still , but
not like they were 100 hundred years ago, unless you are Amish. I love the Amish.
And I am enjoying a fling, with a Redhead 2021 Corvette, and gasoline at $5USD per gallon on a good day.
Because this may be the last chance to do so.
GM is stepping on it’s family’s jewels by going all in electric. The way to go across the board is pursuant to this patent. My call is that the whole industry will eventually go to hybrid for mid and large size vehicles. This pure EV thing for the entire fleet is mind numbing crazy. Mary will have egg all over her face just like Putin now has. Nobody wears egg well.