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For Its 70th Birthday, Chevrolet Offers an Electrified AWD Corvette
17 February 2023
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. Photo Chevrolet
Exactly 70 years after the Corvette debuted at Motorama in New York City, Chevrolet has returned to introduce the first-ever electrified Corvette with all-wheel-drive and a powerful 6.2L LT2 Small Block V-8, the 2024 E-Ray.
“In 1953, the enthusiastic reaction to the Chevrolet Corvette concept created seven decades of passion, American ingenuity and performance,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors president. “E-Ray marks an inflection point: The first electrified, all-wheel-drive Corvette expands on the promise of what Corvette can deliver.”
Developed to be the Corvette owners can arrive almost anywhere, no matter the season, the new E-Ray—available in removable roof coupe and hardtop convertible models—uses electrification to enhance the driving experience with intense straight-line performance, all-weather confidence and sure-footed grand touring capabilities that can only be achieved with eAWD.
E-Ray is also the only sports car pairing two separate propulsion systems to provide naturally aspirated V-8 power with electrified responsiveness powered by eAWD, making it one like none.
“Corvette has been a halo for Chevrolet since 1953,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. “E-Ray’s unprecedented blend of confidence, luxury performance, sophistication and style provides a new reason for more people to experience Corvette.”
The E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette in history, clocking a 2.5-second 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time before breezing through the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds.
“Corvettes must provide an exhilarating driving experience on backroads and tracks, and E-Ray nails it,” said Tadge Juechter, Executive Chief Engineer, Corvette. “The electrification technology enhances the feeling of control in all conditions, adding an unexpected degree of composure.”
A near-immediate feeling of thrust from low-end torque is core to the Corvette driving experience, and the E-Ray packs plenty of it. Power comes from the 6.2L LT2 Small Block V-8, putting 495 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft of torque to the rear axle. It is complemented by an electric motor that channels an additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb. ft. of torque through the front wheels via a 1.9 kWh battery pack which is located between the seats. In total, E-Ray produces a combined 655 horsepower from both the electric motor and Small Block V-8.
Creating its own lane
E-Ray’s intelligent eAWD system is constantly learning the road surface, seamlessly adapting to meet traction conditions and driver needs. During spirited driving and in low traction environments, E-Ray’s eAWD system applies additional power to the front wheels, helping to enhance vehicle stability.There is no need for plug-in charging for the E-Ray’s battery system. The battery is charged mostly via regenerative energy from coasting and braking, as well as during normal driving.
Additional features and technologies of the all-new E-Ray
- Stealth Mode, an electric drive mode for the street, up to 72 km/h (45 mph).
- New lightweight lithium-ion 12-volt battery that supports the LT2 V-8 engine’s stop/start functionality
- Standard Brembo Carbon Ceramic brake system for optimal braking performance
- Standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 features three distinct suspension settings
- Staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires. Michelin *Pilot Sport 4S summer tires are available with an optional performance package
- Low, wide stance with crafted body styling that is 3.6 inches wider overall than Stingray
- Visceral sound experience that embodies the car’s dominating presence. The electric front motor works in harmony with the 6.2L LT2 Small Block V-8 to create an invigorating sound
- Enhanced roster of driver assistance technologies (shared with all 2024 Corvette models), including Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning3, Forward Collision Alert3 and Following Distance Indicator.
Electrified propulsion details
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray’s electrified propulsion system provides exhilarating acceleration to power out of corners, and effortlessly complete passing maneuvers. It can also provide limited all-electric propulsion at the driver’s discretion upon startup.E-Ray’s standard Active Fuel Management system uses the electric motor to extend 4-cylinder operation in various driving scenarios designed to help reduce fuel consumption.
The amount of electric assist is tailored within each of the Corvette E-Ray’s six driver-selectable modes: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode and Z-Mode. Drivers can also select the Charge+ feature which maximizes the battery’s state of charge.
E-Ray Performance App on the infotainment system provides the driver with technical insights into how the propulsion system is operating. There are three primary display layouts:
- Gauges (displays dynamic power output from the electric motor and V8 engine)
- Dyno (provides a graph of power/torque across selectable time intervals)
- Data (showcases electrical system performance and efficiency).
- The Corvette E-Ray’s electric motor over the front axle is compact, preserving space in the front storage compartment.
Stealth Mode and tracking the E-Ray
The Corvette E-Ray’s two driver-initiated electric modes enable the car to travel under electric propulsion in certain conditions. The electric motor also optimizes track performance.Stealth Mode enables all-electric driving when selected at start-up, for a limited distance before the engine turns on for normal driving. It is designed for quietly exiting a neighbourhood, with a maximum speed of 72 km/h (45 mph). The engine automatically engages if the vehicle’s speed exceeds the limit, additional torque is requested by the driver, or the E-Ray’s battery pack is depleted.
When it comes to leveraging the electrified propulsion system for enhanced track performance, E-Ray’s eAWD controls system applies torque to the front axle as needed. The Charge+ feature can be used to maximize the battery state of charge for extended lapping.
The custom-designed Performance Traction Management [PTM] modes are optimized in concert with the eAWD propulsion system.
Distinguished design
E-Ray’s appearance builds on the refined athletic styling and performance-driven design Corvette customers know and love.At a glance, the E-Ray shares its purposeful, wide-body proportions with the Z06, accommodating wide wheels that help manage the car’s greater torque delivery. The lightweight alloy wheels have a twisted five-spoke star design that is exclusive to E-Ray.
“There’s never been a Corvette like E-Ray and its sophisticated design reflects that,” said Phil Zak, Executive Design Director, Global Chevrolet. “It starts with the body colour trim which draws your full attention to the exotic proportions of the E-Ray. The interiors allow customers to reflect their individual personalities with their choice of colour executions that provide a refined or dynamic sport look and feel.”
E-Ray design highlights include:
Four aluminum wheel finishes- Fourteen exterior colour choices—including new for 2024 Riptide Blue, Seawolf Gray and Cacti
- An E-Ray-exclusive body-length stripe package in Electric Blue
- Standard carbon flash badging
- Available black exhaust tips and bright badging
- Available carbon fibre ground effects
- Optional carbon fibre wheels in carbon flash, visible carbon fibre finish or visible carbon fibre with a red stripe.
Additionally, there are new Charge+ and Stop/Start buttons on the console and updates to the infotainment system and instrument cluster provide a more integrated appearance.
Coming later this year
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray goes on sale in 2023, priced starting at $128,7984 (including DFC) for the coupe.Production is to take place at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky. Click here for more information.
