Everything is going to hell on the planet of iconic sportswomen. Take the Chevrolet signed Corvette (Chevy for connoisseurs). Released in 1953, this “muscle car” continued to evolve until an eighth version, the C8, whose engine (V8 LT2 or V8 LT6) was placed in the rear central position, imitating the European competition.
But today, the trend is towards electrification and sports cars are no exception, even if manufacturers (Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini) are resisting. This is no longer the case for the General Motors group, which has promised electric vehicles for all via its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands.
After the Chevrolet Volt (2010), a plug-in hybrid, and the Bolt (2016), a 100% electric city car, GM has accelerated electrification. Thus were presented the GMC Hummer, the Cadillac Lyriq, the Chevrolet Silverado, Blazer SS and Equinox, all powered by electrons.
Another highly symbolic arrival, the Corvette E-Ray, a teaser of which was posted on the official Corvette Instagram account. We see a car, whose line is similar to the mythical Z06 version, driving at high speed on the snow – without slipping –, with the sound of the roar of its engine in the background. This same Corvette is found in town in stealth mode (Stealth), the only audible sound of which is the characteristic hiss of an electric motor.
It is indeed a new Corvette welcoming a hybrid engine coupled to an all-wheel drive. A double first for this “muscle car”, but which questions.
Many specialists are asking questions about the architecture of this powertrain, whose centerpiece is the 6.2-litre LT2 V8. Will it come, via regeneration, to power the electric block placed on the front axle or the alternator? Is a second electric motor provided on the rear axle? What trunk storage in the front? Finally, how much will this Corvette E-Ray weigh, knowing that the thermal version displays 1588 kg on the scale? The answers will be known on January 17, 2023 in New York, on the occasion of the 70th birthday of the “beautiful American”.
Genovation GXE, the first 100% electric Corvette
Long before the Corvette E-Ray, in 2016 there was the Genovation GXE, a 100% electric Corvette C7 manufactured by Genovation, a North American company specializing in electrification. In September 2019, a Genovation GXE (800 hp, 950 Nm), based on the Corvette C7, even became the fastest electric sports car in the world with a speed of 338.28 km/h.
We just hope that the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will be more affordable than the $750,000 (about €634,250) requested for a Genovation GXE, and that it will grant a greater autonomy than the 280 km of the GXE.