Electric Corvette confirmed by Chevrolet | GRR
Chevrolet has confirmed that an all-electric Corvette is coming in an Instagram post teasing not only that the next iteration of the C8 will be a hybrid, but all all-wheel-drive too.
The post shared on all the Corvette social channels showed a video of a disguised car on an ice lake, very obviously putting power to all four wheels. Slow-mo of the fronts spinning joined some very 911 Turbo/Nissan GT-R style all-wheel drifts. In amongst the sound of scattering snow and ice was a sound very similar to the standard C8’s LT2 6.2-litre pushrod V8. This suggests the hybrid will be a development of the standard car and not the 5.5-litre DOHC LT6-powered C8 Z06.
The accompanying texts reads “In addition to the amazing new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 coming this year, an electrified Corvette will be available as early as next year”. All the conformation we need that we’ll see a hybrid all-wheel-drive Corvette within the next 12 months.
Though not confirmed, we’d be surprised if it wasn’t a plug-in hybrid too. Performance isn’t yet known but the standard C8 Stringray’s LT2 motor produces 497PS (365kW) on its own. With the new Z06 producing 679PS (500kW), we expect the hybrid to sit right in the middle, around the 580-590PS mark. It’s also an inevitability with motors up front and a battery pack, the hybrid will be heavier, too. Names? E-Ray has been knocked around, though that could be saved for the next electrified Corvette…
Also confirmed at the end, a Corvette EV, with the post saying that “a fully electric version [is] to follow” in the footsteps of the hybrid. If the hybrid is 2023, we can expect a fully electrified Corvette to be introduced before the end of 2024. All change for America’s sportscar. More as we have it.