Chevrolet has introduced the part-electric Corvette E-Ray, posting the first photos and specifications. The sales will begin at the end of the year starting from $104,300.
In its latest modification, the sports car utilizes the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine rated at 505 PS (497 hp / 371 kW). An electric motor mounted at the front axle assists the main engine with 162 PS (160 hp / 120 kW) of its own. The resulting output exceeds 660 PS (540 hp / 479 kW), enabling the coupe to zap 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) in 2.5 seconds – one-tenth of a second faster than even the hardcore Z06 modification can do.
Despite being a hybrid, the E-Ray cannot be plugged into the grid to top up its tiny 1.9-kWh battery. The battery recharges itself exclusively during regenerative braking. Curiously, there is an all-electric driving mode capped at 72 km/h (45 mph), during which the hybrid acts as a FWD sports car. It is unknown how much range it has in this mode, but ‘not much at all’ should summarize it.
By default, the new ‘Vette comes equipped with 20-inch wheels at the front, 21-inch ones at the back, adaptive suspension and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.