January 23, 2023

Auto News

Chevy's new Corvette is quick and electric

U.S. automaker Chevrolet said it was marking the 70th anniversary of the debut of its Corvette line with the introduction of its first electrified version of the classic sports car.

Chevy introduced the concept model of its Corvette in 1953. Marking the anniversary, the company introduced the 2024 E-Ray, a 6.2 liter, V8 model that's electrified.

"Corvette has been a halo for Chevrolet since 1953," said Scott Bell, the vice president of Chevrolet. "E-Ray's unprecedented blend of confidence, luxury performance, sophistication and style provides a new reason for more people to experience Corvette."

The Corvette is already quick, but the all-wheel drive E-Ray is Chevy's quickest ever. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds and get through a quarter mile in 10.5 seconds.
Its small-block V8 engine boasts 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque at the rear axle. That's complemented by a 160 horsepower, 125 lb-ft torque electric motor that drives the front wheels for a combined 655 horsepower vehicle.

By comparison, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT gets 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque from its V8, which Ford says are the highest figures ever for a standard V8 in the Mustang's history.

Chevy said the E-Ray is the only sports model out that runs on two separate propulsion systems. Furthermore, there's no need to plug it in because the battery is charged by coasting and braking.

"The electrification technology enhances the feeling of control in all conditions, adding an unexpected degree of composure," added Tadge Juechter, the executive chief engineer for Corvette.

But it all comes at a cost. On sale this year, the Corvette E-Ray has a suggested retail price of $104,295 for the base model. That's about twice as much as the base model for Tesla's Model 3.

First Look

First Look! 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray

The new Chevy Corvette E-Ray hybrid coupe and convertible is the first electrified, first AWD, and - in EV mode - first front-drive Vette ever.

Click here to watch the video

Featured Classic Car

Chevrolet Corvette (1953-1962)

The first generation Corvette is the most significant American car ever created. Its stunningly original design and impressive performance, not to mention its potent fuel-injected engines, proved once and for all that America could compete in the sports car arena.

Introduced late in the 1953 model year, and produced through 1962, it is commonly referred to as the "solid-axle" generation, as the independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Sting Ray. The engine was a 235 cu in inline six that was similar to the 235 engine that powered all other Chevrolet car models. The outer body was made out of then-revolutionary glass fiber reinforced plastic material.

In 1953, when GM executives were looking to name the new Chevrolet sports car, assistant director for the Public Relations department Myron Scott suggested Corvette after the small maneuverable warship - and the name was approved.


Thanks for reading,

The Editor

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