To go with its mega hybrid performance the E-Ray adds a cool hundred grand to the cost-of-entry over the Stingray at $275,000, although it’s in primo 3LZ trim adding things like the ’track-ready’ ZER pack, monster carbon-ceramic brakes, a carbon-fibre and leather-detailed heated steering wheel, and even bigger rims.
Practicality is a relative term when you’re talking about a two-seat sports car, but there’s plenty of space and breathing room for two, and storage is okay. Think door pockets with room for bottles (laid down), two cupholders (under a flip-up lid), a console box with USB-A and -C as well as an aux plug and an SD card slot plus a good size glove box and a wireless charger between the seats. There’s a frunk in the nose and an appreciably larger rear boot for a combined volume total of 357 litres.
The Corvette E-Ray is powered by Chevy’s 6.2-litre ‘LT2’ V8 producing 369kW (close to 500hp) and 637Nm as well as a nose-mounted electric motor sending an extra 119kW/165Nm to the front wheels for all-wheel drive and a combined power output of 480kW/806Nm. Transmission is an eight-speed dual-clutch auto.
The E-Ray features a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery, self-replenished from coasting and braking, allowing an EV-only (and neighbour-friendly) ‘Stealth Mode’ for four to six km at a maximum of 72km/h. There’s also a ‘Shuttle Mode’ which also engages just the front axle on electric power to a speed of 24km/h. Its official combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel consumption figure is 11.5L/100km.
Explore the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Range
As well as AEB and active cruise, the Stingray now features forward collision alert, lane-keeping assistance, follow distance indicator and intelligent auto high beam, joining rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and tyre pressure monitoring. The airbag count is four, front and side for driver and passenger.
GMSV’s three-year/100,000km warranty for the Corvette is lame in 2024. Even Porsche and McLaren, which also lag the field, are at three years with unlimited kilometres, while the likes of Audi and Jag are at five years with unlimited kays. Service is recommended every 12 months/12,000km, the average annual price coming in at around $1100 over the first few years.
