EXOTICS
WATCH | E-Ray hybrid is the quickest Corvette in its history
The sports car uses an electric motor to improve straight-line acceleration as well as traction in slippery conditions
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General Motors this week revealed a new hybrid Corvette sports car that uses an electric motor and battery to improve straight-line acceleration as well as traction in slippery conditions.
The Corvette E-Ray — a play on the Stingray name used for petrol-powered versions of the the iconic American sportster – was revealed on the 70th anniversary of the debut of the original Corvette. GM executives have previously said a petrol-electric hybrid version of the carmaker’s supercar was coming.
The Corvette E-Ray will use a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 120kW electric motor to drive the front wheels. Meanwhile a 369kW 6.2l V8 petrol engine will drive the rear wheels as in other Corvettes.
With both powertrains combined you’re looking at a total system output of 481kW. GM claims the new hybrid system will allow the E-Ray to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds, making it the quickest production Corvette ever built. Expect the standing quarter mile to be dispatched in 10.5 seconds at 209km/h.
The all-wheel drive E-Ray — another first for the marque — will also be able to operate in a battery-only “stealth mode” for short distances at speeds of up to 70km/h. It’s scheduled to go into production later in 2023 at a starting price of $104,205 (roughly R1,782,913).