To transform today’s mid-engine Corvette into an E-Ray requires forward thinking technology, similar to what has been seen in the Acura NSX and some Ferraris.
Now, Team Chevrolet has embraced this technology for the Corvette E-Ray and brings AWD & Hybrid Power to the mix. The front motor is powered by a 1.9-kWh battery pack consisting of four modules and 20 pouch cells mounted in the central tunnel.
Drivers can access 1.1 kWh of that total to assist with acceleration in the car’s default Normal mode, which is the mode most drivers will use most of the time. Overall, the hybrid / all-wheel-drive system adds roughly 135 kg to the car, bringing the weight to 1715 kg for the coupe and 1765 kg for the convertible. Chevy offers two electric driving modes, which must be selected through the instrument cluster upon starting the car.
The Shuttle mode allows for continuous electric power but is limited to 15 mph, making it suitable for moving the car within a driveway. The Stealth mode is more practical, allowing the car to drive solely on electric power for 3-5 miles, as long as the driver doesn’t exceed 45 mph, use more than 30% throttle, or start with more than 0.15 g of forward acceleration.
Even after using up the electric power, the battery can still provide hybrid power, as Chevy includes a 0.8-kWh buffer that is always available. However, sport driving or drifting the E-Ray requires activating the Track mode and disabling the traction control and stability control systems, which can be done by pressing and holding the traction control button for five seconds.
Breaking New Ground with AWD
The first-ever all-wheel-drive Corvette is also the fastest, although it may not be the most powerful. The motor can operate independently, utilizing its 160 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque to power the car. Most of the time, it complements the Corvette Stingray’s 6.2-liter V8 engine, which produces 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, the same figures provided with the Stingray’s Z51 Performance Package. Together, the engine and motor deliver a combined output of 655 hp, just 15 hp less than the Z06. However, when it comes to torque, the engine and motor combination produces even more, although Chevrolet does not disclose the exact combined torque figure. The additional power and traction provided by the front motor make the E-Ray the quickest Corvette to date.
The mid-engine layout of the C8 Corvette already gives it more traction compared to the front-engine C7 model, but adding power to the front tires optimizes acceleration during launches. As a result, the E-Ray can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, according to Chevrolet, which is a tenth of a second faster than the monstrous Corvette Z06 and four-tenths quicker than the Stingray. It also completes a quarter-mile run in 10.5 seconds, again, a tenth of a second quicker than the Z06.
Exterior Modifications But Same Recipie
Visually, the E-Ray bears a resemblance to the Z06 with a few minor modifications. It inherits the Z06’s wider body, ground effects package, and spoiler. Carbon-ceramic brakes and magnetic dampers, both standard on the Z06, also come standard on the E-Ray. To distinguish the E-Ray from the Z06, look for the E-Ray logo, a set of five spoke twist wheels that enhance the Corvette’s appearance, body colored trim instead of black, and optional Electric Blue full-length stripes.
Chevrolet has tuned the suspension of the E-Ray to be stiffer than the Stingray’s with the Z51 Performance Package, yet softer than the sharp edged Z06. This change is well-received as it enhances the car’s daily drivability compared to the track-focused Z06. Furthermore, it likely provides better handling on bumpy tracks.
The E-Ray comes equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport all season tires as standard, providing enough performance to handle 1 g of lateral acceleration.
Overall the engineers at Chevrolet have converted an already good car into something special. The Corvette E-Ray brings AWD & Hybrid Power and shows what can be done with some forward thinking.