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Corvette Goes Electric.
Sort of.

GM decided to break new ground with the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, the first Corvette with electric propulsion.

Electric and hybrid cars had become popular in recent years, but the new Corvette E-Ray is not electrified with the goal of better fuel efficiency or to seek the advantages of an alternate propulsion system.

Although the new Corvette can technically be called a hybrid, the goal was electrification as a way to gain a performance advantage.

The electric propulsion is provided by an electric motor driving the front wheels only. There is no provision for externally charging the 1.9 kWh battery pack which is located between the seats. Charging is via regenerative energy harvested during coasting and braking, as well as during normal driving.

The main powerplant is the same as found in the Stingray model: The 6.2L LT2 Small Block V-8, putting 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque to the rear axle. With the additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque found in the front wheel electric motor, the E-Ray Corvette is rated at 655 hp / 481 kW.

Above: The E-Ray emblem located just below and behind the wishbone. Blue, which is seen as implying electrical functionality, is seen throughout the 2024 Corvette E-Ray.

Below: The E-Ray / Stingray emblem on the rear of the engine compartment access. Note that it is similar but still differentiated from the standard Stingray emblem on the right.

Corvette E-Ray center speaker features an E-Ray logo.

A close look at the above table reveals an interesting Z06 and E-Ray comparison. The E-Ray is actually faster than the Z06! This is despite the fact that the Z06 has a higher horsepower rating and it weighs less.

The performance advantage for the E-Ray can be attributed to the AWD feature since it is distributing the power over four wheels instead of two.

Note the pricing which is similar between the two models. One might think that GM is shooting themselves in the foot by forcing the two models to compete with each other. That's probably not the case since the Z06 has been a complete sales success with final prices often in excess of MSRP. We anticipate the same thing happening to the E-Ray.

The two models also give Corvette buyers an interesting alternative. While the E-Ray might be marginally faster - keep in mind that the quoted figures are listed as approximate by GM - the Z06 features an 8,600 RPM redline and an amazing exhaust note from the flat plane crankshaft engine.

Decisions, Decisions!

GM, having fun with the All Wheel Drive capabilities on the 2024 Corvette E-Ray at The Rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

The Acura NSX, available from 2017 to 2022, also used AWD with electric motors up front and a standard internal combustion engine driving the rear wheels. Both vehicles featured a Stealth Mode, where the ICE engine was off and the car proceeded on battery power driving the front wheel motors. With no exhaust noise, you wouldn't be bothering your neighbors. In the case of the Corvette E-Ray, speed is limited to 45 MPH. The engine automatically engages if the vehicle’s speed exceeds the limit, additional torque is requested by the driver, or the E-Ray’s battery pack is depleted.

The Corvette E-Ray and the Z06 share the same body, including (right) the famous wishbone behind the passenger doors. An exception can be found at the rear, where the E-Ray has exhaust tips exiting at the far corners (above) but the Z06 has a center exhaust.

New colors for 2024 include Riptide Blue, Seawolf Gray and Cacti.

Speed Phenom gives a nice You Tube overview of the Corvette E-Ray.

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