A 1.9 kWh lithium-ion battery was installed in the car's already powerful center tunnel, and additional cooling was added to manage battery temperature. There is also new software to harmonize all components.
The hybrid adds 160 hp for a total system output of 645 hp, which is almost identical to the output of the formidable ZO6. On top of that, the more overtly aero-oriented, computer-inspired car also sacrifices its wide body, previously optional carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, and the tires are epically massive: 275/30ZR-20 front, 345/25ZR-21 rear. (Specially designed all-season Michelin Pilot Sports models are available.)
Exuberant design
However, we're not sure the car's looks quite live up to the ambitions being put into practice elsewhere. The trajectory of the Corvette's design since its launch in 1953 is instructive for American automotive design as a whole: the C2 Sting Ray of the '60s and the C4 versions of the '80s are relatively outstanding cultural achievements. The latest car is a disjointed riot of competing angles and facets, undeniably dramatic and a crowd pleaser, judging by the reactions it generates during WIRED's drive. But there is still no oil painting.
Best regards, Corvette
On the inside, he is also unrepentantly expressive. It's easy to get in and out of, the doors open wide, and the seats have a more luxurious feel and are quite soft compared to more minimalistic rivals. The steering wheel is one of those fancy boxy things, its spars oddly drooping. But the driving position is good, with fairly thin A-pillars contributing to forward visibility. The rearview camera mirror helps ease the anxiety of reversing, which is usually a difficult task in a mid-engined car.
Multi-custom instrument dials are positioned straight ahead, there's a clear head-up display, and a tilting touchscreen controls infotainment functions. There's also a floating central tunnel, at the front of which is the switchgear that controls the climate control and various other functions. Fearing a complete ergonomic disaster, we are surprised to discover that in practice it all works well.
Electric stealth
Given that the Corvette's V-8 is totemic, the big trick of the E-Ray hybrid party is its stealth mode, which does what it says: lets the car go off the street under near-silent electric propulsion. It only has a range of a few miles in this mode, but it's still an electric front-wheel drive Corvette in a nutshell. What a novelty.
Best regards, Corvette
