The Corvette C8 has broken new ground as the first-ever production mid-engine sports car to wear the iconic crossed flags badge. However, there’s something even more innovative headed down the pipe – the Corvette E-Ray, which upends tradition as a hybrid, all-wheel drive variant of the popular eighth-generation performance machine. Now, GM Authority has exclusive video of Chevy Corvette E-Ray prototypes putting in some hot laps at the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany.
Hosted by GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, the video goes over several clips that show the Corvette E-Ray out for testing at the infamous German race track. Luft kicks it off by dispelling a few misconceptions about the new Corvette E-Ray, namely the rumor that the E-Ray will be purely electric. This is false, as this particular variant will actually mate the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine from the C8 Stingray with a new electric drivetrain, making it a gasoline-electric hybrid.
Right about now, you might be asking how we know that the vehicle being tested here is a hybrid. Great question! See that yellow sticker on the top corner of the rear glass? That’s a tell-tale sign that the model sports an electrified drivetrain. Required by the Nurburgring, the sticker tells first responders that they’re dealing with high voltage systems in the case of an accident or some other type of emergency. Given that there is clearly an exhaust note present on these prototypes, there’s only one option remaining here: gasoline battery-electric hybrid.
With that, we get to the footage, where we see a pair of Corvette E-Ray Coupe prototypes rolling around the local roads leading to the Nurburgring, the exhaust note clearly sounding like that of the C8 Stingray.
The next clips puts the new Corvette E-Ray on the track, where we see it carving corners and squealing the tires as the driver gets the hammer down. With the same widebody treatment as the C8 Z06, plus all-wheel grip, the Corvette E-Ray slingshots through the turns, and sounds great while doing so.
Other notable exterior features of the Corvette E-Ray will include outboard exhaust treatment (much like international-market C8 Z06 models) and aluminum “spider” wheels with a black finish (carried over from the Z06).
It was originally believed that the Corvette E-Ray will serve as an indirect replacement for the Grand Sport in the Corvette C8 model lineup, however, this may have changed recently, as GM has filed to trademark Grand Sport – indicating that a C8 Grand Sport could end up being part of the lineup after all. Either way, Corvette E-Ray output is expected to be around 600 horsepower, with both a two-door Coupe and hardtop Convertible body styles offered.
Look for the Corvette E-Ray to make its formal introduction in 2023 as a 2024 model year vehicle.
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Comments
The reason they call it the silent Corvette like all hybrids you will be able to chose to drive it with the front wheels only so no engine sound will be heard.
Boy I’m sure that will make for quite the desirable driving experience that will be used by many e ray owners. Personally, I’ve always dreamt of a front wheel drive corvette… said no one, ever.
Let’s be honest, hybridization in sports cars like this is all about enhancing performance, not about improving fuel economy. I would be shocked if even one owner actually enabled the front drive mode in real life.
Agreed Bob. Even if the e ray offers a mode that allows it to be driven only by the fwd electric motor, I’m not sure that anyone is going to actually use it. What would be the point?
Aside from all that, I’m really looking forward to this car.
i am looking forward to AWD.
the instant torque from brushless AC motors is amazing.
innovation , prop planes to jet engines. horses to autos. electricity instead of kerosene.
there have always been haters of new. but you cannot deny improvements and innovations in technology and performance. KERS used in F1 racing.
I love my new C8 and all it has to offer.
the science fiction of my youth was optimistic.
Using electric in front will make this thing explode off the line while the pushrod catches up to propel top end.
Love the car, hate the name E-Ray.
Wow, I assume most agree, but they’ve turned off upvoting… Just like the Mock E (Non Mustang) GM doesn’t want our opinions.
Wow, I guess someones watching. Reviews are back!!!
I’m glad that GM is making a variety of Corvettes. It is a very popular car, and making this will further that obviously. What I like to see is the ZR1 if it will offer a twin turbo 5.5. After they offer this than they can come out with an all electric Corvette, if they do..
They could expand the C8 with a longer life span because it still feels so new being out for 3 years.
Z51 > GrandSport > E-Ray (hybrid motors) > Z06 > ZR1
Then after all that maybe they will offer an all electric Corvette to compete with Tesla.. just throwing that out there.
However I would be interested in seeing what they could do to the E-Ray. Would they be able to add an after market supercharger to it? So you will have a third assist.. just wondering..
It has been clear for a while it is the non turbo version of the coming Zora.
The Hybrid front drive just eliminates the mechanical connection for AWD and it plants the EV seed in the cart so it can transition.
The Zora will add Twin Turbo engine and more performance items.
I strongly doubt you would see anything but a version of the LT6 in the Zora or the ZR1 for that matter. You wouldn’t put a pushrod in there. Perhaps the E-ray gets it so as to not rival the Z06 and keep costs down.
AC motors are the new superchargers
Superchargers don’t have to be plugged in but they do have there issues too. The E Ray is going to be a very interesting car. I could live with a Hybrid but not sure about an EV. First I will have to see how the ZO6 works out.
So far, still boring horsepower numbers. How long is it going to take to catch up to Dodge and Ford?
with the zo6 being 100k i wonder how much this will be?
Great shots of the Hybrid Corvettes in Germany.
I don’t see an “E-Ray Corvette C8” here, but the upcoming GrandSport now with LT2, hybrid and unfortunately AWD on a Corvette!
The ZR1 (858HP) will have the LT6 with 2 turbos and the Zora (1001HP) will add a performance hybrid.
The first EV Corvette – will certainly be called E-Ray and as a special feature it will have its own platform and have identical technology to the next EV Ferrari.
This Corvette will probably also have an EV-compatible design – i.e. flat and with very small air intakes and air outlets that are completely sufficient for EVs. The batteries will be installed as in Ferrari and this also applies to the e-motors, but as you could read from the Mahle company, multi-speed gearboxes will really come again for the drive, since 3 or 4 e-motors are pointless!
EVs also have to save electricity and there will be a fleet consumption target like the ICEs.
For the first time, the EVs will also be heavily taxed because of the high unladen weights.
And here the Corvette E-Ray like the EV Ferrari stay safely under 3300 pounds in weight.
Conclusion:
Supercars are and always will be ecological!
😴😴
I remember about a year ago, when they were testing with the current NSX, some E-Rays sounded as if they had a high-strung turbo V6, like say a variation of the LF4. I wonder if that option thrown in there during their earlier prototype/testing phase.
Time for a C9. The styling of the C8 is hideous and without form and function. Just because the styling is different, doesn’t make it good and it will grow old on you very quickly.
What is the point of showing us videos of new C8s if your not going to give us the times. We don’t even know what ZO6 turned at the Ring. To some that is more important than the price.
Th big question is,can I get one before the C8 is phased out. My friend received a number quite early on for a Z06, and has been informed that his wait will be 2 to 3 years. Who knows, maybe his number will roll over to the C9 model. (humor intended)