2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray

Overview

While it competes with thoroughbred sports cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is as American as American football, cowboys, and jazz. The C8-generation Vette debuted in 2020 with a mid-engine layout and the exotic-car proportions that go with it, and now this new E-Ray incorporates a hybrid powertrain that pushes performance further with electrons. An electric motor powers the front wheels while the C8’s standard 6.2-liter pushrod V-8 is on duty out back. Together they develop 655 combined horsepower, which means the all-wheel drive Corvette E-Ray is within 15 horsepower of the range-topping Z06. In addition to that, the E-Ray features a stealth driving mode that lets you sneak in and out of your neighborhood on silent electric power without waking the neighbors. Since its launch, the C8 Corvette has been a staff favorite at the Car and Driver offices and a 10Best winner not only because of its brilliant ride-and-handling and seemingly endless power but also because of how easy it is to live with daily. Sure, there are only two seats, but with cargo space behind the engine and under the front hood it’s practical as well as hellaciously thrilling.

What’s New for 2024?

The E-Ray is a new entry for Chevrolet this year and its hybrid powertrain represents the first time electrification has ever been added to the Corvette lineup. To accompany its burly 655 horsepower hybrid powertrain, the Corvette E-Ray wears the same wide-body kit and front-end treatment as the high-performance Z06 model. It’s also the first all-wheel drive Vette; an electric motor powers the front wheels. The E-Ray will hit Chevy dealers in late 2023 as a 2024 model.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Like the regular Corvette, the Corvette E-Ray is available as either a coupe or a convertible with a folding hardtop. Since the coupe’s targa roof lifts off for open-top motoring anyway, we’d stick with it. The E-Ray is offered in 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ trim levels with similar equipment to the 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT versions of the standard Corvette Stingray, and we’d recommend upgrading to the 2LZ version, which adds features such as a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 14-speaker Bose stereo system, blind-spot monitoring, and more.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Corvette’s first-ever hybrid powertrain consists of a 6.2-liter V-8 borrowed from the Corvette Stingray that makes 495 horsepower and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 160-hp electric motor sits on the front axle and drives those wheels, creating an all-wheel drive setup with a combined 655 horsepower. A small 1.1 kWh battery pack allows the Corvette E-Ray to travel at up 45 mph on electric power for short distances, in what Chevy calls stealth mode. With both the electric motor and the V-8 operating at full chat, the Corvette E-Ray hit 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds at our test track. That’s quicker than the rear-drive 670-hp Corvette Z06 coupe, which reached 60 mph in 2.6 seconds in the same test. Chevrolet is touting the winter weather advantages of all-wheel drive and underscoring that idea by making high-performance all-season tires standard on the E-Ray. Summer rubber is an option, and our test vehicle was so equipped. Cornering grip is nothing short of heroic; although the extra mass from the addition of the electric motor and battery shows up on the scales, it goes virtually unnoticed from behind the wheel on twisty roads. Much like the base Stingray, the E-Ray is just as easy to live with, whether you’re running errands or threading your local esses. This is a sports car with two personalities in one.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

While the EPA hasn’t yet released any fuel economy estimates for the Corvette E-Ray, Chevrolet says it expects the hybrid’s combined fuel economy rating will match the standard Stingray’s 19-mpg figure. On our 200-mile, 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, the Corvette E-Ray delivered 23 mpg. For more information about Corvette fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

While the Corvette E-Ray brings a powertrain first to the nameplate, the interior of the car isn’t any different from the Stingray or Z06 models. It’s strictly a two-seater and can be optioned with materials such as leather, imitation suede, and metal or carbon fiber trim. The roof is removable on the coupe, just like in other Corvettes, and it stores inside the trunk just aft of the engine compartment. The rear trunk can also accommodate two golf bags, while the smaller front trunk offers space for some luggage or cargo when the roof is stowed. The driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel that for some reason doesn’t feel weird. There’s a 12.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display and a large infotainment touchscreen angled toward the driver for ease of use. Special pages on the screen provide readouts for electric-motor and gas-engine power and torque. The interior design takes the driver-focused concept to the max with what we’ve dubbed the Great Wall of HVAC Controls: a tall separator bisecting the cockpit atop which sits a bank of switches for the car’s climate-control system.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Corvette E-Ray uses Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 Plus system, which features an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio streaming, a 4G LTE mobile hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The system is easy to use and quick to respond to commands.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Corvette E-Ray comes with a number of driver-assistance features as standard, but others are optional such as blind-spot monitoring. For more information about the Corvette’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

While its performance is amazing, the Corvette E-Ray’s warranty coverage is strictly average. At least the first maintenance service is covered at no cost.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid components covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit

More Features and Specs