AMERICAN MUSCLE GETS ELECTRIC BOOST

For the seventieth anniversary of the Corvette, the American legend gets an electric boost

Seventy years ago, the Corvette was presented to the world at Motorama in New York City. To commemorate this occasion, the legendary American badge introduces the first-ever electrified version of the vehicle, known as the 2024 E-Ray. Developed to provide Corvette owners with a car that can be driven in any season, the E-Ray is available in both removable roof coupé and hardtop convertible models.

Utilizing electrification to enhance the driving experience, the E-Ray boasts intense straight-line performance and grand touring capabilities that can only be achieved with all-wheel-drive. Additionally, it is the only sports car that pairs two separate propulsion systems, resulting in a unique combination of naturally aspirated V-8 power with electrified responsiveness.

With a 0-100 kmph time of 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds, the E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette in history. It has a 6.2L LT2 Small Block V-8 engine that produces 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, and is complemented by an electric motor that provides an additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque through the front wheels, the E-Ray boasts a total of 655 horsepower.

“In 1953, the enthusiastic reaction to the Chevrolet Corvette concept kicked off seven decades of passion, performance and American ingenuity,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors president. “E-Ray, as the first electrified, all-wheel-drive Corvette, takes it a step further and expands the promise of what Corvette can deliver.”

The E-Ray boasts an intelligent all-wheel drive system - eAWD - that is constantly learns and adapts to the road surface and the needs of the driver. The system applies additional power to the front wheels during spirited driving and low traction environments for enhanced vehicle stability.

The E-Ray has a lightweight lithium-ion 12-volt battery that supports the LT2 V-8 engine’s stop-start functionality. This compact electric motor sits over the front axle, freeing up space in the front storage compartment, and offers exceptional acceleration and passing manoeuvrers.

Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a standard Active Fuel Management system that utilizes the electric motor to extend 4-cylinder operation in various driving scenarios. The amount of electric assist is adjustable within each of the six driver-selectable modes, including Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode, and Z-Mode.

The Charge+ feature allows drivers to optimize the battery’s state of charge. The E-Ray Performance App, available on the infotainment system, provides drivers with technical insights into the propulsion system’s operation and features three primary display layouts: Gauges, Dyno, and Data.

The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is equipped with two driverinitiated electric modes that allow for electric propulsion under certain conditions. One of these modes, known as Stealth Mode, allows for all-electric driving at start-up for a limited time, with a maximum speed of 45 mph. This mode is intended for quiet driving in residential areas, and the engine will automatically engage if the vehicle exceeds this speed limit, if additional torque is requested by the driver, or if the E-Ray’s battery pack is depleted.

Additionally, the E-Ray’s eAWD control system applies torque to the front axle as needed, and the Charge+ feature can be utilized to maximize the battery’s state of charge for extended track driving. The custom-designed Performance Traction Management (PTM) modes are also optimized in conjunction with the eAWD propulsion system for enhanced track performance.

The E-Ray’s battery system does not require plug-in charging, as it is charged through regenerative energy from coasting and braking, as well as normal driving. The E-Ray features a stealth mode, which is an electric drive mode for the street and can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour.

It comes equipped with a standard Brembo Carbon Ceramic brake system for optimal braking performance. It has a Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with three distinct suspension settings, staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires, and a low, wide stance with crafted body styling that is 3.6 inches wider overall than the Stingray.

The E-Ray also offers a visceral sound experience that embodies the car’s domineering presence, thanks to the electric front motor which works in harmony with the LT2 engine to create an invigorating sound. It has an enhanced roster of driver assistance technologies, including Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking, which are shared with all 2024 Corvette models.

The E-Ray boasts a refined athletic styling and performancedriven design that is consistent with what Corvette customers have come to expect. Its purposeful, wide-body proportions are similar to those of the Z06, and it features exclusive twisted five-spoke star-design alloy wheels that manage its greater torque delivery. The vehicle offers a variety of exterior colour options, including new Riptide Blue, Seawolf Gray, and Cacti.

It also features an exclusive Electric Blue body-length stripe package, standard carbon flash badging, and optional carbon fibre ground effects and wheels. The interior of the E-Ray, dubbed the Artemis Dipped, boasts deep green tones and offers multiple options for customization. The vehicle also includes updates to its infotainment system and instrument cluster for a more integrated appearance.