Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray here within a year

The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2024.

Right-hand drive production of the E-Ray will begin at the Bowling Green factory in Kentucky mid-year, before the hybrid all-wheel drive supercar becomes the third variant in the local eighth-generation C8 Corvette line-up after the Stingray and Z06.

Based on a shipping time of six to eight weeks – if all goes well – first examples should arrive in Australia by the end of quarter three 2024.

Today’s confirmation of E-Ray production timing came at the same time local General Motors distributor GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) announced Silverado 1500 upgrades and the arrival of the Yukon full-size SUV in Australia in 2025.

The November 15 ‘world-first’ announcement we reported yesterday is separate to today’s news. Right-hand drive Cadillac production for Australia is still expected to be confirmed next week.

The E-Ray’s addition to local Corvette ranks – without timing being announced – was confirmed last January.

Not only is the E-Ray the first Corvette hybrid, it is also the first all-wheel drive version of Chevrolet’s iconic supercar. It has just gone on sale in the USA as a coupe and convertible.

Pricing for the E-Ray coupe starts at the equivalent of about $A167,600 in the US, but you can add many thousands to that price for Australia.

The Z06, for example, starts at the equivalent of $A177,000 in the US, but sells for $336,000 plus on-road costs here.

“The electrified architecture makes this the most technologically advanced Corvette ever and we are pleased to announce that MY24 build of the new model is expected to commence mid-next year,” said GMSV director Greg Rowe.

The E-Ray combines an old-school pushrod 6.2-litre LT2 V8 with an advanced electric motor and eAWD system to deliver a blistering 0-97km/h (0-60mph) sprint time of just 2.7 seconds.

It is claimed to cross the quarter-mile in just 10.5 seconds.

The E-Ray is powered by the same mid-mounted naturally-aspirated V8 (369kW/637Nm) and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as the Corvette Stingray.

But the V8 is augmented by a 120kW/165Nm permanent magnet electric motor powered by a small 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery to deliver a grand total of 481kW of power, or 655hp.

The e-motor drives the front wheels (but leaves room for frunk space) and the battery is recharged via regenerative braking and engine power in the plugless hybrid powertrain.

A widely-publicised stealth mode allows the Corvette E-Ray to drive near-silently in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 72km/h (45mph).

Standard features include Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with three damper settings and staggered-diameter 20/21-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

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