The new 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray hybrid will be priced from $275,000 plus on-roads when first deliveries begin later this month in Australia.
Billed as the fastest accelerating factory-built Corvette ever, the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray blends the Stingray's already powerful 369kW/637Nm LT2 6.2-litre V8 with a single electric motor to produce a combined 488kW and 806Nm of torque.
With that level of power, Chevrolet claims its wild electrified 'Vette can launch from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in just 2.5 seconds – that's the same time it takes for a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport to hit the same performance benchmark.
Helping deploy every last kilowatt efficiently, the Corvette E-Ray comes with a quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.
Reigning in all its might, the Corvette E-Rays offered in Australia all come with carbon-ceramic brakes as standard and the high-performance ZER Performance Pack that adds Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, ZER Performance suspension, Magnetic Ride Control adaptive dampers and a bigger downforce-boosting rear spoiler for greater stability on track.
A performance exhaust is also standard as well as handy front suspension lift system with memory.
Sharing its wide body with the Corvette Z06, the E-Ray gets colour-coded accents, E-Ray badging and model-specific alloy wheels that are 20-inch at the front and larger 21s at the rear.
As well as epic performance, thanks to its small 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery, in its Stealth Mode the Corvette hybrid can go EV only for up to 6km at speeds of up to 72km/h in EV mode – that's impressive when you remember the E-Ray doesn't need to be plugged in and self-charges its battery by clawing back energy under braking.
Further driving modes include Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, MyMode and Z-Mode.
Within, the flagship Corvette E-Ray comes with dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, a 14-speaker Bose sound system, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, 8.0-inch infotainment system that incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, full track telemetry and a front camera to avoid any nasty kerb strikes.
Standard safety kit is also high for a supercar with rear cross traffic alert, blind spot detection, lane-keep assist and auto high-beam assist all present.
Other welcome additions include heated and ventilated eight-way powered driver and passenger seats, a carbon-fibre steering wheel wrapped in leather and a suede headliner.
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray is available in 14 exterior colours — including Black, Red Mist, Carbon Flash, Amplify Orange, Hypersonic Grey, Accelerate Yellow, Sea Wolf Green, Cacti Green, Silver Flare, Rapid Blue, Ceramic Matrix Grey, Riptide Blue Metallic, Torch Red and Arctic White — while seven interior colour schemes, and two seating options, are also offered.
"This is the best of Corvette today, paired with the brand’s exciting, electrified tomorrow and it’s the kind of performance vehicle that needs to be driven to be believed. And that day is coming, and coming fast, for the people of Australia and New Zealand," says Jess Bala, General Motors MD for Australia and New Zealand.
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray hybrid is available to order from GMSV dealers across Australia now.
If the electrified E-Ray isn't quick enough, GMSV might have a solution following the arrival of the ballistic Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Powered by a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8, the US brand says the most extreme 'Vette ever produces a monumental 783kW and 1123Nm of torque.
Chevrolet hasn't quoted acceleration but says it will have a top speed of more than 346km/h and come with a sub-10-seconds quarter-mile (402m) time.
How much does the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray cost?
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray: $275,000
* Prices exclude on-road costs