The Corvette is an American icon that has withstood the test of time. That’s no easy accomplishment, but Chevrolet found a winning formula and stuck to it for decades.
That changed when the company introduced the C8, which was notable for featuring an all-new mid-engine design typical of exotic super cars. The advancements continue with the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, which is not only the first hybrid variant but also the first with all-wheel drive.
Needless to say, it’s a Corvette like no other. However, the changes enable the E-Ray to transcend traditional sports cars and deliver a driving experience that rivals some of the best in the world. That’s even more remarkable when you consider that pricing starts at $104,900.
Fast Facts
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Aggressive And Wide
The C8 is a few years old at this point, but the car still looks fantastic. Its aggressive appearance is further amplified by a wide body, which is shared with the Z06. This makes it 3.6 inches (91 mm) wider than the Stingray as it measures 79.7 inches (2,024 mm) across.
Besides the bodacious body, the E-Ray has staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels that have a twisted design, which is unique to the hybrid. They’re wrapped in wide Michelin Pilot Sport or Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that provide plenty of grip.
The E-Ray is available as a hardtop convertible or a coupe with a removable roof panel. Our tester was the latter and the roof can easily be removed as well as stored in the trunk.
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Customization is a Corvette specialty and customers will find no shortage of options. As an example, our well-equipped tester wore a $2,995 carbon fiber ground effects package, a $2,495 carbon fiber roof panel, $995 carbon flash forged aluminum wheels, $395 black exhaust tips, and $195 carbon flash mirror caps.
None of those items are necessary, but we wouldn’t skip the $2,595 front lift system. At the push of a button, it raises the front end approximately 1.6 inches (40 mm) to prevent damage from speed bumps and steep driveways. That button got a lot of use during our test drive as it’s far better to be safe than sorry.
A Beautiful Cabin With A Few Quirks
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While the interior is familiar, it’s still impressive all these years later. That’s particularly true in the range-topping 3LZ, which has leather and suede microfiber upholstery throughout. Designers even went the extra mile and added eye-catching stitching to the roof and door panels.
Not to be outdone, there are stylish and supportive GT2 sport seats with carbon fiber trim. They’re wrapped in perforated leather and feature heating and ventilation as well as eight-way power adjustment.
The good news doesn’t end there as the carbon fiber steering wheel is perfectly sized and a delight to hold. Buyers will also find a head-up display, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment system with Google built-in. The latter feels a tad small, but it’s responsive and perfectly placed. It’s also worth noting that entry and egress is a relative breeze compared to some other mid-engine sports cars.
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While there’s a lot to like, there are some quirks including a wireless smartphone charger that is located behind your shoulder on the rear bulkhead. The ramp-like row of buttons is also controversial, but some people will undoubtedly appreciate the physical switchgear. Furthermore, the cup holder looks and feels more Cavalier than Corvette.
That being said, the Corvette is dang impressive for the price. It successfully blends style and comfort with an impressive amount of equipment.
Engine Meet Motor
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What makes the Corvette E-Ray so special is its high-tech powertrain. The rear-wheels are powered by a familiar 6.2-liter V8, which produces 495 hp (369 kW / 502 PS) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque. It’s the same engine as the standard Stingray and it sports cylinder deactivation technology as well as a start/stop system that is supported by a lightweight 12-volt lithium-ion battery.
Read: GM Caught Benchmarking Corvette Prototypes To Ferrari SF90 Stradale
That’s where the E-Ray departs from tradition as the engine is accompanied by a front-mounted electric motor that produces 160 hp (119 kW / 162 PS) and 125 lb-ft (169 Nm) of torque. It gives the car all-wheel drive as well as an extra boost of performance.
The engine and motor work together to give the car a combined output of 655 hp (488 kW / 664 PS). That’s just shy of the 670 hp (500 kW / 679 PS) Z06, but the extra traction means the E-Ray is the quickest Corvette in history as it rockets from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 2.5 seconds.
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The performance is amazing and everything seems perfectly in sync. The magic happens behind the scenes, but you can get a glimpse of the inner workings by looking at the E-Ray gauge display on the infotainment system. It shows a live readout of both engine and motor output.
The display is fascinating to watch while driving as the car perfectly distributes power between the front and rear wheels. As an example, if you’re driving along and want to speed up, the E-Ray might send 50 hp (37 kW / 51 PS) to the rear wheels while 10 hp (7 kW / 10 PS) goes to the front. It’s almost psychic in this regard as the Corvette knows exactly how much power to generate and where to send it.
This gives the car a new level of control, precision, and responsiveness. The E-Ray feels absolutely surefooted as there’s tons of traction and grip. This provides drivers with plenty of confidence as the suspension, low center of gravity, and all-wheel drive system come together to deliver a car that can devour corners with ease.
That being said, the all-wheel drive system does seem to take away part of the fun. However, we stuck to public roads and didn’t explore the car’s limits.
A Front-Wheel Drive Corvette EV
The powertrain enables some interesting new capabilities including a Stealth Mode. It utilizes the car’s 1.9 kWh lithium-ion battery to enable the E-ray to run on electricity alone. In order to do this, you put your foot on the brake, twist the mode selector to choose Stealth, and then hit the start button.
The Corvette quietly comes to life and shows a unique cluster display to indicate it’s operating on electricity alone. From there, you shift into drive and take off.
While Stealth Mode was designed to enable owners to quietly leave their home without waking the neighbors, the Corvette can travel 3-4 miles (4.8-6.4 km) on electricity alone. However, that’s easier said than done as the engine will kick on if you travel faster than 45 mph (72 km/h) or try to accelerate with any sense of urgency.
It’s also worth noting that unlike the McLaren Artura, there’s nothing to plug-in. Instead, the battery is charged during normal driving as well as via regenerative brakes. While this limits the car’s capabilities, it’s as simple as get in and go.
A Joy To Drive
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Remember when the simple act of driving put a smile on your face and destinations weren’t important? You will in the E-Ray as it begs you to drive and have fun.
Besides having plenty of power, the car has an excellent eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and a brilliant steering system. The model also boasts Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension.
We mention all of these together as the Corvette’s various modes have a pronounced impact on how the 3,774 lb (1,712 kg) coupe drives. Tour Mode is ideal for leisurely drives or rough roads as it takes some of the edge off the sporty attitude. Sport Mode means business, while Track Mode amplifies things even further. There’s also a My Mode, which enables owners to fine-tune their preferred settings for the suspension, steering, brakes, and engine sound.
Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Speaking of the latter, the 6.2-liter V8 sounds great and begs you to lower the windows to hear it better. However, that likely won’t be the only noise you’ll hear as we did notice a few squeaks on less than ideal roads.
Some rough roads impacted the ride quality but, overall, the Corvette is surprisingly comfortable. On good to decent pavement, the suspension did an admirable job handling imperfections. However, as surfaces degraded, so did the ride as a few impacts as well as a construction zone made their presence known. Of course, that’s pretty much par the course for sports cars.
Another somewhat surprising plus is visibility, which is largely good. While the rear pillars do create some sizable blind spots and it can be tough judging where the nose is, the model has a digital rearview mirror as well as a multitude of camera views to help out.
Embrace The Future Of Performance
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Much like the C8 itself, the Corvette E-Ray is bound to be controversial. Besides having all-wheel drive, the model is electrified and there’s a certain vocal contingent that sees that as a sign of weakness.
This couldn’t be further from the truth as electrification unlocks more power and new possibilities for the Corvette. Just look at the numbers and it’s hard to argue with a 655 hp (488 kW / 664 PS) mid-engine sports car that costs $104,900. Especially one that can rocket from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 2.5 seconds and run the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds at 130 mph (209 km/h).
To put those numbers into perspective, the aforementioned Artura has 690 hp (515 kW / 700 PS) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque, but requires three seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h). That’s a bit of an apples and oranges comparison, but shows just how impressive the E-Ray is for the price.
Powertrain aside, the car is comfortable, stylish, and well equipped. It’s also great to drive and has plenty of cachet. In that sense, it’s a Corvette like no other, but also unmistakably one.
