Seventy years after the Corvette debuted at the 1953 Motorama in New York City, Chevrolet returned to the city to introduce the first-ever electrified Corvette—the 2024 E-Ray with all-wheel-drive via front-axle electrification leaving the rear drive via a conventional 6.2-L Small Block V8 internal combustion engine. The E-Ray is said by the brand to be the only sports car pairing two separate propulsion systems to provide naturally aspirated V8 power with an electrified front-axle eAWD addition.

“E-Ray, as the first electrified, all-wheel-drive Corvette, takes it a step further and expands the promise of what Corvette can deliver,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors President.

The E-Ray, available in removable-roof coupe and hardtop convertible models, uses electrification to enhance the driving experience with improved straight-line performance and all-weather grand touring capabilities.

“E-Ray’s unprecedented blend of confidence, luxury performance, sophistication, and style provides a new reason for more people to experience Corvette,” said Scott Bell, Vice President of Chevrolet.

The car’s V8 puts out 495 hp (369 kW) at 6450 rpm and 470 lb·ft (637 N·m) at 5150 rpm through an MLH eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to the rear axle. The permanent magnet electric motor over the front axle adds 160 hp (120 kW) and 125 lb·ft (165 N·m) to the front wheels through a single-speed gearset, the compact design preserving space in the front storage compartment. The 1.9-kW·h lithium-ion battery pack located between the seats is charged via regenerative energy from driving, coasting, and braking—with no plug-in charging.

The two power sources produce a combined 655 hp (481 kW), making it the quickest-production Corvette in history. The E-Ray clocks in at about 2.5 s for a 0-60 mph sprint, based on initial vehicle movement, and through the quarter-mile in about 10.5 s at 130 mph (209 km/h).

“Corvettes must provide an exhilarating driving experience on backroads and tracks, and E-Ray nails it,” said Tadge Juechter, Executive Chief Engineer, Corvette. “The electrification technology enhances the feeling of control in all conditions, adding an unexpected degree of composure.”

The E-Ray’s intelligent eAWD system is constantly learning the road surface, adapting to meet traction conditions and driver needs. During aggressive driving and in low traction environments, the system applies additional output to the front wheels, helping to enhance vehicle stability.

Custom-designed Performance Traction Management modes are optimized for the eAWD propulsion system. The amount of electric assist is tailored with six driver-selectable modes: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode, and Z-Mode. Drivers can also select the Charge+ feature, which maximizes the battery’s state of charge.

An E-Ray performance app for the infotainment system provides the driver with technical insights into how the propulsion system operates. There are three primary display layouts. Gauges displays dynamic power output from the electric motor and V8 engine. Dyno provides graphs of power/torque across selectable time intervals. Data shows electrical system performance and efficiency.

When selected at start-up, Stealth Mode gives all-electric driving for a limited time before the engine turns on for normal driving. It is designed for quietly exiting a neighborhood, with a maximum speed of 45 mph. The ICE automatically engages when the vehicle’s speed exceeds the limit, additional torque is requested by the driver, or the battery pack is depleted.

“There’s never been a Corvette like E-Ray and its sophisticated design reflects that,” said Phil Zak, Executive Design Director, Global Chevrolet. “It starts with the body color trim, which draws your full attention to the exotic proportions of the E-Ray. The interiors allow customers to reflect their individual personalities with their choice of color executions that provide a refined or dynamic sport look and feel.”

E-Ray design highlights include four aluminum wheel finishes, fourteen exterior color choices, an E-Ray-exclusive body-length stripe package in Electric Blue, and standard carbon flash badging. Options include black exhaust tips and bright badging, carbon fiber ground effects, and carbon fiber wheels. The E-Ray also introduces a new Artemis Dipped interior, which features deep green tones on nearly every interior surface available on 2024 Corvettes.

At 3.6 in wider overall than the Stingray, the E-Ray shares its wide-body proportions with the high-performance Z06, accommodating wider wheels/tires to help manage the powertrain’s greater torque delivery. Overall, the E-Ray has a length of 184.6 in (4699 mm), width of 79.7 in (2025 mm), and height of 48.6 in (1235 mm) on a wheelbase of 107.2 in (2722 mm). The dry weight is 3774 lb (1712 kg) for the coupe and 3856 lb (1749 kg) for the convertible. Cargo volume is 12.5 ft3 (355 L).

A new lightweight lithium-ion 12-V battery that supports the LT2 V8 engine’s stop/start functionality. Standard are the Brembo carbon ceramic brake system, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with three distinct suspension settings, and staggered 20- and 21-in lightweight alloy wheels have a twisted five-spoke star design exclusive to the E-Ray are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires are available with an optional performance package for

maximum lateral acceleration of 1.1 g on a 300-ft skid pad.

An enhanced roster of driver assistance technologies shared with all 2024 Corvette models includes lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and automatic emergency braking.

The E-Ray goes on sale in 2023 starting at $104,295 for the coupe and $111,295 for the convertible. Production is at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky.