Chevy’s First Hybrid Corvette, The E-Ray Debuts and its Not Your Typical Hybrid Sports Car
The legendary Chevrolet Corvette is finally making the leap from fossil fuel to electric. Well not exactly fully electric but halfway there. The company’s first hybrid corvette made its much-anticipated debut 70 years to date after its debut in 1953.
Image: Chevrolet
The hybrid model named E-Ray mates an electric motor with the standard V8 we have come to know on Corvette models. The combination has made the E-Ray the fastest production Vette in history. It can achieve 0-60 mph in a mind blowing 2.5 seconds and cover a quarter-mile in an impressive 10.5 seconds. No other Corvette in history comes close to these times.
Unlike European automakers like Ferrari and McLaren which equipped high-performance hybrids with twin-turbo V6s, Chevy has decided to keep the legendary V8 that has been the signature engine on Corvettes since its debut in 1953.
The engine produces 495 horses with 470 ft-lbs of torque. The electric motor housed at the front of the vehicle is powered by a 1.9 kWh battery pack and produces an additional 160 hp and 125 ft-lbs of torque. Total horsepower output is a whopping 655 hp and 595 ft-lbs of torque. These specs make the E-Ray one of the highest performance Corvettes ever made.
Image: Chevrolet
The E-Ray also deviates from previous Corvette models in drivetrain. It’s the first Corvette in GM’s history to have an all-wheel drivetrain. This gives the E-Ray better handling and performance in all weather conditions. Chevy eAWD system constantly monitors the road making tiny adjustments based on traction and driving conditions.
Image: Chevrolet
Unlike hybrid cars that have to be plugged in to recharge. The E-Ray electric motor batteries are recharged by regenerative energy generated by braking, coasting and normal driving. That means you can E-Ray anywhere without worrying about the availability of charging stations.
Image: Chevrolet
The exterior design of the E-Ray is stylish and aggressive, and owners are offered 14 different color options to choose from. The stylish frame rides on four alloy wheels, 20 inches in the front and 21 inches in the rear, each wheel decked out with a beautiful five-spoke rim design.
Image: Chevrolet
The interior is no less captivating with the same cockpit-like appearance as other Corvettes. Starting price for the hybrid E-Ray coupe starts at $104,295 with the convertible model starting at $111,295. It’s expected to hit the market later in 2023.
