As it turns out, the manual for the standard C8 Corvette includes a picture of a fuse assembly with the #7 socket labeled as a pedestrian-warning sound generator. The same picture refers to the #12 fuse as a ‘li-ion battery controller’.
This could very well mean that we would be seeing the much-anticipated Corvette Hybrid later in the year or in early 2021, although the timeframe remains uncertain.
In January this year, car spotters discovered a C8 Corvette with wires sticking out of its hood cover, allegedly for the fast unplugging of the electric system in case something went wrong.
Five years ago, Chevrolet successfully applied for the trademark ‘Corvette E-Ray’ – this is likely what the new car will be called. It will probably house a lithium-ion battery inside its center tunnel and have a single electric motor on the front axle rated at 116 hp (86 kW) and 150 Nm (110 lb-ft). The familiar naturally aspirated V8 6.2 will continue to drive the rear axle. Such a setup would have around 600 hp (447 kW).
Then again, the hybrid powertrain may actually be intended for the range-topping Corvette Zora ZR, named so after Zachary ‘Zora; Arcus-Duntov, the creator of the original Corvette. Given that the Zora ZR packs a superior twin-turbo V8, its output would likely be in the 750 hp (560 kW) area.
The Corvette Z06 racecar will then occupy a position between the two, since it traded its supercharged engine for a naturally aspirated one in its latest generation. Its engine would be based on the V8 5.5 unit of the C8.R and rated at 679 hp (506 kW). Having said that, none of this is official yet.
The Chevrolet Corvette C8 is only available in one spec so far, which is V8 6.2 non-turbo rated at 497 hp (371 kW) and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque. Opting for the Z51 Package kicks these numbers slightly up to 502 hp (375 kW) and 637 Nm (470 lb-ft). An eight-speed automatic transmission sends the momentum to the rear wheels.