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For the Corvette’s 70th birthday, Chevrolet’s engineers have given it the gift of electrified power, debuting the new 2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray. The E-Ray is both the first hybrid and the first all-wheel-drive model in the nameplate’s history. Boasting 655 horsepower and a 2.5-second 0-60 sprint, it’s also the quickest production ‘Vette ever.
The E-Ray starts with the same 6.2-liter LT2 V8 as the standard Corvette Stingray. From its perch amidships, it sends 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via an eight-speed, dual-clutch transaxle. Chevy’s engineers then add a 160-horsepower electric motor to the front axle, bringing with it an additional 125 pound-feet of torque. The motor draws current from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack tucked into the transmission tunnel between the seats — where the propshaft would have been before the ‘Vette went mid-engined for this generation.
With just 1.9-kilowatt-hours of capacity (slightly more than a Prius’ 1.2-kWh pack) there’s no need for a plug; the E-Ray’s self-contained hybrid system is able to charge solely via regenerative braking during deceleration or coasting. The E-Ray’s 12-volt battery — which supports the V8, start-stop and accessory power systems — has also been upgraded to a lightweight lithium-ion unit.
