Camo-Free Hybrid Corvette E-Ray Pretends It’s A Z06: Photos
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Having brought you several sightings of 2024 Corvette C8 E-Ray prototypes along with the well-publicized configurator leak, GM Authority spies have just captured what is the most detailed look to date at the upcoming hybrid Corvette.
GM engineers sought to hide the new Vette in plain sight by giving it Corvette C8 Z06 badges, but left a visible “smoking gun” that strips away the attempted disguise. We’ll get to that in a second.
The camo covering most of the exterior the last time we spied the model is gone on this Corvette E-Ray prototype, fully unmasking the upcoming C8 variant’s design. The model seen here is the hardtop Convertible model finished in the sleek Hypersonic Gray paint.
On full display is the wide body treatment from the C8 Z06, with body-color accents that recently became available as an option on that model, and that we showed you in an exclusive real world photo gallery. These body-color accents can be seen at the front end, side air intake trim, and rear vents just below the taillights.
This hybrid Corvette E-Ray prototype is riding on a set of black “Spyder” design wheels that are currently available on the C8 Z06. From what we understand at this point in time, these wheels will not be available on the E-Ray, which will offer a unique, trim-specific five-spoke wheel design. As such, it’s likely that engineers are simply using the Spyder style wheel as a placeholder for testing purposes. Regardless, the wheels are hiding a set of yellow calipers at the front and rear.
The telltale quad exhaust tips are positioned outboard, giving a superficial resemblance to the tailpipes of the international-market C8 Z06. However, close inspection reveals their shape is very different. As GM Authority was the first to report earlier this month, the hybrid Corvette C8 E-Ray will feature the same squared-off, bell-shaped quadruple exhaust tips as the Corvette C8 Stingray, which are clearly different from the outboard exhaust tips used on the international-market C8 Z06.
We expect the hybrid Corvette E-Ray to be powered by the familiar 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine driving the rear wheels, in much the same fashion as the current C8 Stingray. However, the E-Ray will also mate to a hybrid electric drivetrain, with two electric drive units powering the front wheels, therefore making the E-Ray both the first hybrid Corvette and the first Corvette with all-wheel drive (AWD). The combined ICE and electric drive is expected to deliver approximately 600 horsepower, splitting the balance between the 490-495 horsepower made by the Stingray and the 670 horses produced by the 5.5L V8 LT6 in the Z06.
As GM Authority was the first to report, the E-Ray will be available in both Coupe and Convertible body styles and also be offered in both left-hand-drive (LHD) and right-hand-drive (RHD) forms.
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is scheduled for its official debut in less than a week on January 17th. Until then, don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for the latest mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette E-Ray news, Chevy news, and non-stop GM news coverage.
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I am expecting to read about the EPA rating for MPG , since hybrids get twice the ratings for non-hybrid gas engined models.
As someone that is STILL waiting on a C8 Z06, I wonder if you’ll be able to get your hands on a 2024 E-Ray prior to 2027.
The Eray will be better and more available than the Z06…everyone with a Z06 deposit, better hurry to move your deposit over to the Eray before it’s too late!
The way I understand it the ERay is not about better mileage, it’s about better performance. For some reason people make such a big deal out of 0 to 60 numbers. Didn’t realize the race is over at 60
If I could afford a Vette this would be the one and in this super cool color. Go Vette!
I profess to not having much knowledge of the workings of a electric vehicle but, why does the E-Ray need exhaust pipes?
You just scored point 1 for why calling this E-Ray is a poor choice.
You might want to read this: “We expect the hybrid Corvette E-Ray to be powered by the familiar 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine driving the rear wheels, in much the same fashion as the current C8 Stingray.” It was in the article.
Did you read the article???
Lets do the math here, alright? The “Base” C8 (with the Z-51 option) can rocket to 60 mph in under 3 seconds, quick in any circle, so add more horsepower and an all wheel drive with electric drive and I can see this particular C8 possibly outperforming or at least staying (in a straight line) the new Mighty Z06 C8. All the while doing this with a (hopefully) lower MSRP and more available configuration. While the Z06/Z07 will surely be the “Track Monster”, this E-Ray (not excited about the name truthfully) could easily perform as well as the base Z06 and maybe even out perform many other sport car rivals out there! To me, if I had my druthers, I’d opt for this new rendition of the C8 and enjoy daily driving all over Southern California while getting almost the same gut feeling as the Z06 without the amazing exhaust note of course, but with a lot better gas mileage (not that it really matters, but it’s sort of fun to get over 20 mpg instead of 10 mpg) and maybe this new “E-Ray” (hey how about using the well accepted Grand Sport moniker?) just might be the best overall C8 to own, humm?
I thought the Z06 had the exhaust coming out the center??
Only the international Z06 gets outboard exhaust.
GM should up the production of C8’s to satisfy the demand
People are still waiting months or paying tons of money above MSRP to the dealers that are still gouging the people
When the C8 came out there were some sixty thousand people in different dealers list all over the country and GM produced 22 thousand cars a lot of people didn’t get their car til 2021and the ones that had their order for 21 had to get their cars in 22
GM introduced the Z06 and people are going nuts with the new car (never mind the price) and dealers are marking up as much as a hundred thousand dollars
HEY CARLOS, LACK OF PARTS AND PLANT SHUTDOWNS
WHERE WERE YOU THE LAST 2 YEARS ?
Carlos, I feel ur pain but u make it sound like it’s GM’s fault. I put a deposit on a ZO6 in April of 2019 because the car was coming out in 2021. Since then there was a UAW strike, Covid, a tornado/fire, chip shortage, and supplier shortages.
They’re doing the best they can. They’re in the business of making and selling cars. I’m sure they would love to building enough to meet the demands.
For such supply shortages its funny, i have a few connections in GM and when I built my 2022 Denali 2500 HD Duramax I made 2 calls and miraculously I received EVERY feature available and functional. Truck was started on 5/2 and completed on 5/12. Was delivered on 7/13. I didn’t pay a market price adjustment nor anything above MSRP. You cant let covid, “chip shortages” ” or “Supplier shortages” interfere with the actual. The Government is benefiting in every direction from these forced falsely claimed semi conductor and chip shortages. I have a client that’s mentioned the company she works with has over 2 million semi conductors boxed and ready for shipment that have a government stop shipments on them. GOV fines are insane and these manufacturers are raising chip prices like a black market deal to absorb gov fines for supplying the deep pockets. THIS is merely government control tactics. They will try and win at ANY cost. Better yet. Take a trip to OH and look at the sea of corvette sitting in the ship yard or ask gm to open the 200+ car hauler trailers and count how many z06s are sitting. It’s just a game that can’t be fought.
What country government is stopping shipment of 2M semiconductors? China supplier? or USA?
Totaly agree with Rick
I don’t think this is an E-Ray at all. The Z06 pictured has the stealth package. GM quietly changed the exhaust diameters for 2023 base c8’s. What makes you think they won’t alter or tweak the Z06 exhaust for the international market as well?