Topic: 2024 Corvette E-Ray Hybrid

[warp]

https://driving.ca/reviews/preview/2024-chevrolet-corvette-vette-e-ray-hybrid-electric-fastest-ever-first-all-wheel-drive-awd

The E-Ray is the first hybrid Corvette, and the first to offer all-wheel-drive—better yet, it’s the fastest ‘Vette ever
The hybrid system is compact, adding just 118 kg to the curb weight and enabling 6 km of electric-only driving
The coupe version starts at $128,798 in Canada, with convertible pricing to be announced later

The E-Ray boasts a number of significant firsts. It’s the first Corvette with an electric motor and a hybrid system, capable of delivering six kilometres of electric-only driving. It also spins out a second first — all-wheel-drive. Now while the ability to run on electricity alone improves fuel economy, and the all-wheel-drive system brings foul-weather drivability, make no mistake, the hybrid parts are there for one reason and one reason only — performance.

It will be the first Corvette that you can drive year round because of factory fitted all season tires and AWD , albeit limited to 4 inches (10 cm) of snow because of ground clearance. And does 0-60 mph in 2.5 sec according to the factory, faster than the ZO6, but unlike the Z06 which is a track focused, the E-Ray is supposed to be a daily driver.

Neatly engineered into the front end is a high-output electric motor that sits beneath the front trunk. It gets its juice from a 1.9-kilowatt-hour battery. The system, which adds just 118 kilograms to the E-Ray’s curb weight, is also somewhat different in that the battery was specifically designed to give up its power and accept a charge very quickly. In this regard, it is more capacitor-like than a conventional battery. This makes the electric response instantaneous.


More importantly, the motor adds 160 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque, and drives the front P275/30R20 tires. The plus is the electric motor’s gearing brings a torque multiplication factor of eight, so when acceleration is demanded, the E-Ray picks up its huge rear haunches and blasts forth in a serious hurry. The fact the gas and electric power sources combine to produce a net output of 655 hp sure helps things along!

[JohnnyMac]

I struggle to find reasons why someone would buy this over the Z06.  Are you really going to drive one of these in the winter time?  Fuel economy is basically the same as the regular Stingray, and it's only performance number that bests the Z06 is the 0-60 and only by 0.1 seconds.  It's the same time in the quarter mile and has less grip (with the same tires) than the Z06, plus it's 300lbs heavier.  The Z06 is only a couple thousand more and has an amazing sounding V8.

[Guy]

Maybe not in winter but on a wet road/track could-it be faster than the Z06?

[JohnnyMac]

Maybe not in winter but on a wet road/track could-it be faster than the Z06?

Wet road, yes, track, that's more tricky.  It could be.  But I'm guessing the difference is likely not a lot regardless. 

I think this E-Ray needed to be one of these things to be relevant, noticeably less expensive than the Z06 (say $20K less), have noticeably better fuel economy (let's say similar to the difference between regular cars and their hybrid sisters, so like 20% better maybe), offer usable electric range (likely would have meant PHEV and 30+ kms of range), or significantly better performance numbers (currently it appears it's only performance advantage is 0.1 seconds to 60mph, but need track tests to see).  As it stands, all things considered equal (meaning you can actually source one), I'd just buy the Z06, enjoy the much nicer sound, the lighter weight and higher grip on dry pavement, and just have an all around more special Vette.

[OliverD]

I wouldn't underestimate the appeal of AWD alone. It's also likely that the average Z06 price is going to be way, way north of the E-Ray's. The Z06 may start at $130k, but you can option them to around $200k. I'd expect the E-Ray's option list to be a bit more limited.

[JohnnyMac]

I wouldn't underestimate the appeal of AWD alone. It's also likely that the average Z06 price is going to be way, way north of the E-Ray's. The Z06 may start at $130k, but you can option them to around $200k. I'd expect the E-Ray's option list to be a bit more limited.

Could be, hard to say.  One thing that is a plus on the E-Ray (until you have to replace them) is the standard carbon ceramic brakes, which could be part of the reason why the starting price is so close to the Z06 (which doesn't have those standard).  As far as dealer mark up, I'd say it's likely going to be similar, that being said if you actually shop around you can get a Vette at MSRP + a smaller admin fee as we can here in Fredericton.

[F10]

The car looks amazing... Oh, I like old corvettes. Can't accept the fact that cars like the Corvette in the future will be hybrid instead of big petrol engines((( Also 4WD...Corvette should be rear wheel drive))) for the design.I had a C4 and I think the headlights should open!Maybe I'm very old fashioned but I wouldn't buy a new Corvette for myself, although the car can be beautiful.

[Layne]