The unrelenting march of electrification continues in the sports car world
25 April 2022 - 18:58
by Staff Writer
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Roaring petrol engine will make way for electric power in the all-American icon.
Picture: NETCARSHOW
The Chevrolet Corvette, the all-American muscle car, will spawn an electric version.
General Motors president Mark Reuss confirmed on Monday that a hybrid derivative of the two-doorsports car will be launched as soon as next year, followed at an undisclosed date by an all-electric version using GM’s Ultium battery technology.
GM hasn’t revealed any performance details but an electric Corvette is likely to be extremely fast given that the much heavier Ultium-based GMC Hummer EV produces 750kW and can hit 0-100km/h in about three seconds.
Corvette, better known for its roaring V8 engines, is the latest sports car brand to go down the battery-powered path as the motor industry moves to more planet-friendly technology. GM last year said it was aiming for all its light vehicles to be electric by 2035.
Most sports car manufacturers have electric models in their line ups, including GM’s longtime competitor Ford with its battery-powered Mustang Mach-E.
It is rumoured the hybrid car could be called a Corvette E-Ray, and will reportedly be powered by a single electric motor on the front axle and the current Corvette Stingray’s 6.2l V8 petrol at the rear.
US president Joe Biden first mentioned an electric Corvette during his campaign trail, saying he’d been told that it was in development, and that it would be capable of 320km/h.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Get ready for an electric Corvette
The unrelenting march of electrification continues in the sports car world
The Chevrolet Corvette, the all-American muscle car, will spawn an electric version.
General Motors president Mark Reuss confirmed on Monday that a hybrid derivative of the two-door sports car will be launched as soon as next year, followed at an undisclosed date by an all-electric version using GM’s Ultium battery technology.
GM hasn’t revealed any performance details but an electric Corvette is likely to be extremely fast given that the much heavier Ultium-based GMC Hummer EV produces 750kW and can hit 0-100km/h in about three seconds.
Corvette, better known for its roaring V8 engines, is the latest sports car brand to go down the battery-powered path as the motor industry moves to more planet-friendly technology. GM last year said it was aiming for all its light vehicles to be electric by 2035.
Most sports car manufacturers have electric models in their line ups, including GM’s longtime competitor Ford with its battery-powered Mustang Mach-E.
It is rumoured the hybrid car could be called a Corvette E-Ray, and will reportedly be powered by a single electric motor on the front axle and the current Corvette Stingray’s 6.2l V8 petrol at the rear.
US president Joe Biden first mentioned an electric Corvette during his campaign trail, saying he’d been told that it was in development, and that it would be capable of 320km/h.
Electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 declared World Car of the Year
Elon Musk hints at new, more offbeat Cybertruck
REVIEW: Audi RS E-tron GT is swift, silent and mind-blowing
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.