Chevrolet announced earlier this year a radical change in its new 2024 Corvette E-Ray, with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a hybrid powertrain. This will become the first production Corvette of its kind, 70 years after the first Corvette. It will be an electric motor driving the front wheels and a V8 turning the rear with a total horsepower of 655.
The Corvette E-Ray will have a relocated engine, from the front to a mid-mounted position, with claims that the E-Ray is “its quickest Corvette ever” delivering zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than the Corvette Z06 despite being 400 pounds heavier than the base Stingray coupe. The top speed has been reported to be 180 mph, and the electric motor will stop contributing at 150 mph. It has been reported to get somewhere between 15 to 19 combined miles per gallon (mpg).
The E-Ray will be fitted with standard 275/30ZR-20 front and 345/25ZR-21 rear Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 ZP tires or with the option of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for more summer dry grip. The coupe will have a removable roof just like the previous Corvette coupe models.
Stealthy
The electric-only, or “stealth mode” can be driven up to 45 miles per hour (mph), and it is reported that it can be used for up to five miles.
Delivering horsepower
The E-Ray has a 6.2-liter V8 with 495 horsepower with an electric motor driving the front wheels that allow the E-Ray to reach the maximum of 655 horsepower. The front wheels are powered by a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery weighing roughly 100 pounds. The battery receives electricity through braking, coasting, or using the Charge+ function.
So what’s it cost?
The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) are $102,900 for the Corvette E-Ray 1LZ, $108,400 for the Corvette E-Ray 2LZ, and $113,850 for the Corvette E-Ray 3LZ, not including the delivery fee. The E-Ray comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty with the hybrid components and batteries for eight years or 100,000 miles.
GM ownership requirements
GM has also announced new 2024 Corvette E-Ray ownership requirements, so you might want to read the requirements before purchasing your new E-ray. In part, if the vehicle is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred within six months of taking delivery, E-Ray buyers will lose the privileges of placing vehicle reservations with a dealer for future high-demand models.
