Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray: Redefining the Supercar with Electrifying Performance

By Ben McKimm - Sponsored

Published: 20 Dec 2024

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Readtime: 6 min

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The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray (from AUD$275,000 plus on-road costs) is an American-made supercar that fuses performance and practicality. It combines the power of a 6.2-litre LT2 V8 engine and a front-axle electric drive unit to send 488kW of power and 806Nm of torque to the ground through an eAWD system and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This helps it complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds (from a complete standstill), making it the quickest Corvette in Australia. Still, during my week with the car, it stood out for more than its outright performance. It’s also practical to live with and, when you want it to be, very civilised.

When you’re talking about the Corvette E-Ray, the most important thing to remember is that this is not an electric vehicle or a traditional hybrid – it’s a fuel-efficient performance vehicle with electrified propulsion.

There’s a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack between the seats to power the electronic drive unit on the front wheels. However, it doesn’t need charging. There’s no mechanical connection to the engine, and the all-electric range is limited. The purpose of this is to turn the E-Ray into the first AWD Corvette, and this means instant response, aggressive cornering, and there’s even a fun E-Ray-exclusive sound that gives you the impression you’re strapped into a Star Wars TIE Fighter when you put your foot down.

I took advantage of ‘Stealth Mode’ whenever I was leaving my garage as this mode lets the E-Ray run in total silence on electric power for between four to six kilometres (up to 72km/h).

Like the Stingray, the E-Ray has a fairly aggressive start-up and a loud exhaust which I love. However, it doesn’t make your neighbours very happy when you’re heading to Cars & Coffee Sydney at 6 am on a Sunday, so this saves the day.

Did I mention that the Corvette E-Ray is bonkers fast in a straight line? During a launch event at Sandown Raceway, I managed a 2.3-second 0-100km/h using the car’s onboard computer, which gives you an idea of the feeling you’re getting behind the wheel. It takes your breath away with how quick it is in a straight line, but also when exiting corners because of the eAWD system. Simply put, it’s fast everywhere.

Of course, when you’re travelling quickly, you want to stop, and the ZER Performance package and carbon ceramic brakes are standard on all E-Rays in Australia and New Zealand. This includes high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres fitted to staggered 20- and 21-inch alloys, ZER Performance Suspension with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and a taller spoiler wicker bill that’s available for track use.

Looking at it, you wouldn’t assume that the Corvette E-Ray is a comfortable car for the daily drive because it’s so aggressive, but the Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 is next-level.

It’s amongst the best suspension systems that I’ve ever experienced, and the ability to go from comfort and compliant to firm and direct using the six driver-selectable drive modes (Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode, ZMode) helps the car strike the perfect balance.

Then, you jump inside the car, and you start to appreciate the cockpit-like interior. I was first drawn to the heated and cooled eight-way powered driver and passenger seats, which are featured as standard and some of the more comfortable choices in this category. You can option your seats in leather or suede to match the heated steering wheel, and, of course, there’s a host of carbon fibre to balance that high-performance meets GT comfortability attitude.

Technology-wise, there’s a full-colour Head-Up Display, a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system, and a large 8.0-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity in the middle of the cabin. I love the animations that are displayed on the touchscreen when changing drive modes. They add a touch of character to the car and I encourage you to make the most of them.

I also enjoyed using the exclusive to E-Ray in-car Performance App, which showcases data and telematics to the driver, and I found it was a cool way to see how the high-tech propulsion system worked. This was especially useful when I first drove the E-Ray at the Australian launch at Sandown.

Of course, safety is paramount, and the E-Ray comes with an enhanced roster of driver-assistance technologies (shared with all Corvette models from MY24), including Forward Collision Warning, Lane-Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning, Auto High Beam Assist, and low-speed autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

I’ve spent time in every one of the Corvettes on sale in Australia, but the E-Ray might be my favourite. It’s amongst the most impressive vehicles I’ve driven this year. It’s bonkers fast in a straight line, it corners like it’s on rails, and the ability to switch it into Stealth Mode when you’re leaving for work in the morning or Cars & Coffee on the weekend is a major advantage. The interior has the right mix of comfort and performance, and it features all of the technology and safety systems that you want.

It’s a well-rounded supercar that can compete with the best in the world and that’s despite it costing substantially less than its competitors at AUD$275,000 plus on-road costs.

You can have your Corvette E-Ray in 10 exterior colours, including Black, Red Mist, Sea Wolf Grey, Rapid Blue, Riptide Blue Metallic, Torch Red, and Arctic White, alongside three new colours for MY25, Competition Yellow Tintcoat, Hysteria Purple Metallic and Sebring Orange Tintcoat. Seven interior colour schemes, six wheel options, and two seating options are also offered, with the GT2 seat fitted as standard while Competition seats are available as an option.

You can check out all the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and all of the Corvette models on sale in Australia at the GM Specialty Vehicles website below, and a full model overview at the end of this article.

Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Coupe Overview

POWERTRAIN: 6.2L LT2 V8 and front-axle electric drive unit, 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery, eAWD, 488kW, 806Nm, 8sp dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters

ZER PERFORMANCE PACKAGE

• ZER Performance Suspension with Magnetic Selective Ride Control™
• Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP Performance tyres – 275/30ZR20 front and 345/25ZR21 rear
• Spoiler wicker

DISTINGUISHED DESIGN AND FEATURES

• Wider body proportions (+9.4cm) than Stingray
• Standard Ground Effects
• Standard Carbon Ceramic Brakes
• Standard body-colour accents
• Staggered 20” and 21” unique E-Ray wheels
• Specific suspension tuning, including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0
• Unique rear spoiler with adjustable wicker bills
• In-vehicle performance app
• Stealth Mode

INTERIOR TRIM

• Eight-way powered driver and passenger seats
• Carbon fibre and leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel
• GT2 seat design (Competition seat optional)