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Corvette E-Ray Prototype Running Same Wheels As In GM’s Teaser Video

The new Corvette E-Ray is well on its way, with General Motors teasing the forthcoming hybrid in a brief video showing off the sport car’s all-wheel drive system. Notably, the Corvette E-ray featured in the new teaser video features a five-spoke wheel design previously spotted on a Corvette E-Ray prototype model.

Let’s start with the prototype. Back in December, GM Authority brought you spy photos that show a C8 Corvette E-Ray prototype completely undisguised, giving us a look at things like a wide body treatment, carbon fiber aero bits, and an outboard exhaust treatment, as well as a few other bits and pieces. Critically, the undisguised prototype also shows off a five-spoke wheel design that looks quite a bit like the carbon fiber five-spoke wheels offered with the Z07 Performance Package of the C8 Corvette Z06.

Fast forward to earlier this week, and GM is showing off the new Corvette E-Ray in a 26-second teaser video that features the hybrid accelerating hard on a snowy, icy surface. Naturally, the wheels are spinning with heavy throttle application, but that doesn’t stop us from seeing that the vehicle in the teaser video is running the same five-spoke wheels as the prototype spotted late last year.

Critically, the Corvette E-Ray will not only be the first hybrid Corvette put into production, but it will also be the first all-wheel drive Corvette put into production. Making the go will be a hybridized version of the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine, offered in non-hybrid guise with the C8 Corvette Stingray. With the hybrid equipment attached, including an electric motor mounted up front to drive the front axle, output is expected to climb to around 600 horsepower.

Essentially, the new Corvette E-Ray will serve as an indirect replacement for the Grand Sport in the Corvette lineup. Look for the E-Ray to debut later in 2022 and launch for the 2024 model year.

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

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Comments

  1. I like those wheels, would probably buy a set if they were polished aluminum, or chrome IF they go on the market. Ya I’m old school. 😁

    Reply
    1. If you’re interested in aftermarket…search MRR wheels…they make this wheel (or something very close) in various finishes. I don’t have all the details, just saw it on corvetteforum.

      Reply
      1. Thanx, I’ll check them out. I got the standard painted pewter wheels on my C8 but found a set OEM wheels the same as mine only Chromed. Looks 99% better than painted, still would like something a little easier to clean than the split spoke. Brake dust is bad but the Brembo’s work great.

        Reply
  2. Funny you say that as I had the same thoughts looking at the wheels! 😁 Tomg

    Reply
  3. I hope the production starts and runs well with high numbers since this hybrid will be a favorite model because of the gasoline price hike. I drive a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid and my gas tank gets filled once after one or two months.

    And hybrid drive saves on maintenance, too. The oil gets changed once a year, and after seven years I still have the original factory-installed brake pads.

    Reply
    1. Until ALL of the ‘bugs’ are resolved, lithium batteries have a tendency catch fire and/or combust spontaneously, batteries have issues in cold winter climates and the cost of replacing a battery is extremely pricey. While Hybrids aren’t a Tesla, I don’t have to deal with any of these potential problems with my ZR-1 ragtop. Meanwhile, enjoy your Ford Fusion.

      Reply
    2. You do realize a C8 E-Ray is not a fuel economy car, right? It will have an electric motor to the front wheels, similiar to what Ferrari does to some of their vehicles like the SF90. This has nothing to do with saving fuel! Tell you buddy Senile Joe to open uo drilli again and gas would not be $5/ gallon + for 91/93°

      Reply
      1. Likely E-Ray will have some form of Eco mode that allows front wheels to turn in low-speed situations. It may be possible to commute to work on little gas with this car.

        E-Ray began as a plug-in, so it’s possible with Ultium batteries that E-Ray may have an impressive EV-only range. Though I suspect that is a project more for an E-Ray Refresh down the line.

        That said, anyone buying an E-Ray, probably doesn’t care about the gas price much. But it will likely have Z06 brakes and those will last a long time.

        Reply
  4. As if there are Vette owners interested in running ANY model on snow and ice. Ridiculous.

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    1. There is a range of corvette owners. From one extreme of daily driving in anything to never driven and stored in a garage. Corvettes are a whole lot less expensive than other supercars. Heck most high end trucks are now the same price and sometimes even more expensive than a vette. I’m in the middle. I don’t daily drive mine, but will drive in the rain(gasp). I don’t drive in the cold because I have summer tires and don’t like to ice skate with my car. If I lived up north I’d switch to A/S tires and would use it in the snow.

      Reply
    2. Actually, my every daily driver is a C6 Vette with all season tires. I don’t drive it in deep snow because of ground clearance issues, but once the streets are plowed I can go out and about it does pretty well.

      Reply
    3. Yes, 100000%. There are a multitude of reasons I want this. Launch will be 40x’s better, will smoke other c8s in the 1/4 mile. MPG could also go up 40%-50%… and if it’s a plug in I can run to the store with zero fuel… it doesn’t have a damn thing to do with snow.

      Reply
  5. I think GMA runs more stories on wheels than anything else. must have a wheel fetish.

    Reply
    1. Funny but appears to be True! 😁

      Reply
      1. Do you blame them? After all, wheels are such an important element of almost any (all?) vehicle.

        I’ve learned from experience that bad wheels can make a well styled car look horrible. Conversely, a great set of wheels can make an ugly car look decent if not better. Looks to me like GMA gets it.

        Reply
  6. All the reason more for me to buy a Z06 and a CT5-V Blackwing before Chevy goes full EV with the Vette!

    Reply

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