As the business commemorates 70 years of the Corvette nameplate, Chevrolet has launched the new Corvette E-Ray. The E-Ray introduces several firsts for the Corvette nameplate, including all-wheel drive and a powerful hybrid powertrain with an electric motor installed on the front axle.
The E-Ray receives various design improvements over the ordinary Corvette Stingray, including new bumpers and a wider body package resembling the high-performance Corvette Z06. The wider body upgrade also includes bigger tyres for improved torque management, and the wheel sizes are increased to 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloys from the regular Stingray’s 19-inch front and 20-inch rear setup. To further differentiate itself, the E-Ray also gets special racing stripes. Other improvements above the base model include Brembo ceramic brakes, an option on the base C8 Corvette, and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive suspension as standard fittings. In order to take into consideration the increased power and the electric motor powering the front axle, the electronic driver aids also receive a number of modifications.
Customers have a variety of options to customise their cars, including a choice of seven interior colours, although the interior remains the same as the regular C8.
When it comes to the powertrain, the E-Ray combines the LT2 6.2-liter V8 from the normal C8 Corvette with an electric motor fitted to the front axle to provide an all-wheel drive configuration. Similar to the C8 Corvette with the Performance Pack, the V8 produces 495 horsepower and 637 Nm, while the electric motor generates 161 bhp and 165 Nm. The Corvette E-combined Ray’s output is 655 horsepower, which is a little less than the Z06’s. Chevrolet claims a sprint time of 2.5 seconds from 0-96 kmph in terms of performance.
The E-Ray can operate in all-electric mode for brief periods of time thanks to the combination of an electric motor and a 1.9 kWh battery. Stealth mode, which kicks in when the battery runs out, the speed is exceeded, or the driver requests a rapid increase in speed, only permits drivers to utilise the electric motor for brief periods of time at speeds of up to 72 kmph.
By the end of the year, the Corvette E-Ray will be available in both coupe and convertible body styles in the US market.
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