The current C8 Corvette lineup is impressive, no doubt about it, but the C8 Stingray and C8 Z06 are just the tip of the iceberg compared to what’s coming next. That includes the up-and-coming Corvette E-Ray, which was recently caught testing on the infamous Nurburgring racetrack in Germany, per this latest batch of spy photos.
As is tradition, the challenging, highly technical Nurburgring racetrack is the perfect place to develop the go-fast chops of a modern sports car the like Corvette E-Ray. Both the C8 Stingray and the C8 Z06 have seen development time at the ‘Ring, so it makes sense to see the Corvette E-Ray pounding out some laps there as well.
In fact, this isn’t the first time a Corvette E-Ray has been spotted at the Nurburgring, with prototype models caught prowling around nearby public roads just last year during an on-track test session for the C8 Z06.
This time around, our spy photographers report that at least four or five Corvette E-Ray prototypes were seen testing on the racetrack, while several camo-free Z06 models were seen on the surrounding roads. Apparently, the Corvette team was hard at work on the cars early in the morning before hitting the track around 8 a.m. local time. Each car completed a couple laps before heading back to the nearby technical center. After breaking in the afternoon, all of the Corvette E-Ray prototypes went back on track, clipping off several laps before the track closed for the day at 5:30 p.m. local time.
For those readers who may be unaware, the Corvette E-Ray is an as-of-yet unreleased high-performance hybrid model set to indirectly replace the Grand Sport in the Corvette C8 model lineup. The big news is the electrified powertrain, which will mate the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine from the C8 Stingray with an electric drive unit mounted up front, providing impressive all-wheel drive grip. The exterior will rock a widebody stance with meaty 345-section rear rubber. Both a two-door coupe and hardtop convertible are expected. Look for the Corvette E-Ray to debut for the 2024 model year.
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Comments
If “electrification” and the end of ICE cars means slapping a hybrid AWD system on top of a 6.2L V8…. I’m okay with that LOL
The C8 Corvette is not a car, it is art.
This is just an in-between model. GM will make an electric Stingray or “Electric Ray” (which is a real animal in the sea) by 2040 .
By 2040, will there still be anyone alive that cares about Corvette?
Because people currently in there 30s and 40s won’t be around in 2040? I plan to still be here. Last article I could find said about 40% of buyers were in the their 40s and 25% of buyers were in their 30s. The days of only old gray haired guys buying Corvettes is over.
The E-Ray may debut in 2024 but I’m pretty sure you won’t see any on the road until 2025. We are still waiting for the Z06 although orders can start July 28, who knows when production will actually start and when will see the first Z06 in the hands of the rich now that they increased the price by almost $30grand from previous gen.
I don’t think that is the case at all. The Z06 has been delayed due to powertrain issues. This e-ray is simply adding an electric unit up front to the existing C8 powertrain…
“This e-ray is simply adding an electric unit up front to the existing C8 powertrain…”
Maybe not so simply.
The E-Ray will be another great car in the line-up. I think it is a good time to introduce a hybrid.
I wish they make more to differentiate the versions. The C8 is a beast but is 3 years old on the market, it doesn’t look right to reveal a 2024 model with 2019 looks.
The Chevy Corvette never ages.
Evolution!! Remember the ’53 6 cylinder, 0-60 in 11 seconds with a 2 speed powerglide and side curtains? I was 11 years old and my friends older brother bought one. We just stared at it and couldn’t touch or ride in it. I eventually got a ’58 when I was 21 and thought I had made it. The kids today look upon the old Corvettes as as we saw 20’s, 30’s and 40’s cars. I have my 4th Corvette now, a C5 and may buy a C7 soon and maybe a C8 if I last that long and the stock market becomes friendly again. We are so fortunate to experience such advances in almost everything.
I have been & am skeptical of the accuracy of the C8 models line-up that has been consistently reported over the last year…I think this hybrid being called the eRay might slot above or equal to (not below) the Z06…rather than replace the Grand Sport slot…e.g. adding electric motor(s) to the 5.5L, not the 6.2L. I also think it seems unlikely that the halo model (ZR1 or Zora, not both) would include a twin-turbo 5.5L…based on their current infatuation with EVs, I can only see GM doing a hybrid and maybe a full-electric from here on the C8. Hopefully I’m wrong and more ICE variants are coming.
On the other hand, maybe the Z06 pricing was bumped to make room in between the Z06 and Stingray. Chevy is clearly copying Porsche with the huge options list, so maybe they’re also going to do too many models just like Porsche too…which I suspect could ultimately be very poorly executed.
Since writing this comment, I watched video of the cars at the ‘ring right now…sure sounds like a 6.2 in that Z06 body…so I’m prob wrong on all of it…
Test all you want.
Then in a few years when the German automobile companies have cars with synthetic fuels ,GM will be playing catch up and chasing trends which apparently must be corporate policy since they do it so often.
This ^
sure would be nice to see GM/CORVETTE get back in the game. Porsche needs some competition to push them even further ahead. :o)
I agree. The C8 team appears to have some talented engineers within & hopefully it’s not just a ‘one-trick pony.’
Kind of reminds me of the rivalry between SoCal in Norcal back in the day. It was obvious that SoCal rested on their Laurels and got smoked by NorCal stars every time because of lacking innovation.
Those humble VW’s are a tough bunch.
;o)
Go Chevy, Go! Show the world what you can do!
very true Mr. Warrior,
everyone wins when there is true unbridled competition. It would be fun to watch if Porsche ever really flexes their muscles and goes for it.
I heard that the early NorCal team was a force to be reckoned with. Rumor has it, they were only a one-man team- also a giant killer, similar to the pcar brand.