The following article was produced in partnership with Corvette.
How do you elevate the electrifying performance of the Chevrolet Corvette? Easy — add electricity! Confirmed for Australia and available to order now, the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is the first Corvette ever to feature electric motor boost, the first all-wheel-drive Corvette, and the quickest one yet. While the hybrid Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray supplements its V8 with an electric motor, it remains 100% supercar and 100% performance.
What’s Under the Hood of the E-Ray?
As a performance car fan, you likely already know the C8 Corvette is a mid-engine supercar, like Ferrari’s best. Now, with the E-Ray, Chevrolet Corvette combines a charismatic petrol engine with smart electric power, much like the latest performance icons from Italy.
At its core, the E-Ray houses a naturally aspirated GM LT2 6.2L small-block V8 engine. Corvette engineers have also added an electric drive unit on the front axle, pushing performance to record levels. The V8 alone delivers 369kW and 637Nm to the rear wheels, while the E-Ray’s electrified powertrain instantly boosts total output to 488kW and 806Nm — that’s over 650hp!
Related Stories
The blend of lag-free, instant power and the eAWD system makes for history-making acceleration: with a 0-100km/h sprint of just 2.9 seconds, the E-Ray is the fastest accelerating Corvette to date.
GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) proudly underscores this with a note on the 2.9sec figure — it’s calculated to 100km/h rather than 97km/h or 60mph and is timed from a complete standstill, rather than using the “one foot rollout” technique, which is common in the USA. When comparing performance claims from Uncle Sam outlets, that difference alone could shave another 0.5sec off the E-Ray’s time.
The E-Ray is built for Australia, packed with features
The hybrid Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and the C8 series are the first Corvettes designed from the ground up to roll off the production line, out of Bowling Green Kentucky, as production right-hand-drive models. Besides having the steering wheel on the right side, the hybrid E-Ray arrives Down Under packed with luxury and convenience.
Each Aussie Corvette comes with a comprehensive package: an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, BOSE audio, wireless phone connectivity and charging, a full-colour heads-up display, performance data recording, and a front-axle lift system — a five-figure option on many European sports cars.
Safety is built-in, not an add-on. Standard equipment includes a suite of driver aids like autonomous emergency braking, HD cameras front and rear, park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and intelligent auto headlamps. Keyless access, start, and soft-close front and rear hatches are the finishing touches many sports car makers overlook.
The E-Ray Ups the Corvette Game
As a flagship in the Corvette lineup, the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray hybrid goes further by adding to the standard Vette’s comprehensive equipment. Unique, 100mm wider bodywork boldly signals the hybrid E-Ray’s high-performance intent. The interior features upgrades such as powered sports seats and a carbon-fibre heated steering wheel.
Top tech billing goes to the E-Ray’s ZER Performance Suspension with Magnetic Selective Ride Control. This cutting-edge suspension tech allows fine-tuned control override and handling characteristics and is comparable to the components that grace million-dollar supercars.
The E-Ray’s staggered 20 and 21-inch wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP Performance tyres — 275/30ZR20 at the front and 345/25ZR21 at the rear. Highly rated, Pilot Sport tyres are OEM fitment on some of the highest-performing cars worldwide.
Among its impressive performance features, the hybrid Corvette E-Ray includes standard Carbon Ceramic Brakes. Originally developed for the racetrack, carbon ceramic brakes are a true performance measure: incredibly strong, fade-free, and often a high-cost option on other supercars.
A Mode for You
Multiple driver modes allow you to tune the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray hybrid to your mood, needs, and location. The E-Ray’s eAWD system adds a level of security in wet conditions or on the track.
The E-Ray stands out for offering an EV-only mode. Known as “Stealth Mode,” it’s ideal for around-town driving or quietly leaving your neighbourhood for those early morning sporty drives. Using energy stored in the E-Ray’s compact, lightweight 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery, Stealth Mode powers the E-Ray for up to 6km at speeds of up to 72km/h.
Performance Beyond the Price Tag
The Corvette story has been over 70 years in the making, and now, for the first time, the C8 lineup — Corvette Stingray, Corvette Z06, and Corvette E-Ray — officially goes on sale in Australia. Was it worth the wait? With performance credentials like these, particularly in the case of the technologically advanced hybrid Corvette E-Ray, the answer is clear.
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 are available to order in both coupe and convertible models from GMSV dealers across Australia now, with prices starting from $182,000.
