Long ago, automakers figured out how to leverage hybrid technology for added performance, taking something originally designed for efficiency and mpg and turning it into mph. The Chevy Corvette E-Ray is one of the latest examples of this, arriving with both an internal combustion V8 and an electric motor to make the go. Now, one group of automotive reviewers is comparing the C8 E-Ray to another hybrid sports car, specifically the second-generation Acura NSX.
The video was posted to the savagegeese YouTube channel and is a little over an hour long. The video kicks off with some background on the second-generation NSX and its development, finally getting into the Corvette around the 14-minute mark. As the video highlights, development of the C8 Corvette E-Ray began in 2015, and the car was intended to be a versatile, year-round GT car. The E-Ray is built with the aggressive body lines of the C8 Corvette Z06, which is wider than the standard C8 Stingray, allowing for extra cooling and improved aerodynamics.
The C8 E-Ray powertrain includes the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2, the same V8 that powers the C8 Stingray, offering up the traditional V8 sounds and performance. An electric motor is added to the front axle, providing an additional 160 horsepower to complement the V8 while enhancing grip by sending power to all four wheels, with the electric motor driving the front wheels and the V8 driving the rear wheels.
Of course, the video comparison extends to the racetrack, where the E-Ray excels with its superior balance, brake feel, and integration of hybrid power. The car is easy to drive, offering a smooth and engaging driving experience. The hybrid system helps with cornering by maintaining rear-wheel-drive characteristics on entry and providing all-wheel-drive traction on exit. It has a consistent and well-calibrated brake-by-wire system, improving upon older models like the NSX.
Breaking it down, the E-Ray outperforms the second-generation Acura NSX in every performance metric, posting a lap time that’s five seconds faster at the Autobahn Country Club. Check out the full comparison video right here:
As a reminder, all C8 Corvette variants ride on the GM Y2 platform, with production taking place at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
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