DETROIT (AP) — The fastest Corvette ever made comes out later this year, and it's not powered solely by a howling V8.
The E-Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all-wheel-drive version of Chevrolet's storied sports car with the front wheels running on an electric motor the traditional 6.2-liter V8 powering the back.
Aimed at affluent buyers who want new technology in the top-line Chevrolet sports car, the $104,000 E-Ray jerks your head back as it goes from zero to 60 mph (97 kilometers per hour) in 2.5 seconds. General Motors says it can cover a quarter mile in 10.5 seconds.
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Photos: An up-close look at the 2024 Corvette E-Ray
The 2024 Corvette E Ray is displayed, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The fastest corvette ever made comes out next year, and it's not powered soley by the traditional howling V8. The E Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all wheel drive version of the storied sports car with the front wheels running on a battery. Aimed at affluent buyers who want new technology in the top-line Chevrolet sports car, the $104,000 E Ray jerks your head back as it goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray is test driven, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The fastest corvette ever made comes out next year, and it's not powered soley by the traditional howling V8. The E Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all wheel drive version of the storied sports car with the front wheels running on a battery. Aimed at affluent buyers who want new technology in the top-line Chevrolet sports car, the $104,000 E Ray jerks your head back as it goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray badge is displayed, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The fastest corvette ever made comes out next year, and it's not powered soley by the traditional howling V8. The E Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all wheel drive version of the storied sports car with the front wheels running on a battery. Aimed at affluent buyers who want new technology in the top-line Chevrolet sports car, the $104,000 E Ray jerks your head back as it goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray front logo is displayed, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The fastest corvette ever made comes out next year, and it's not powered soley by the traditional howling V8. The E Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all wheel drive version of the storied sports car with the front wheels running on a battery. Aimed at affluent buyers who want new technology in the top-line Chevrolet sports car, the $104,000 E Ray jerks your head back as it goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray auxiliary power module and battery is displayed, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The fastest corvette ever made comes out next year, and it's not powered soley by the traditional howling V8. The E Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all wheel drive version of the storied sports car with the front wheels running on a battery. Aimed at affluent buyers who want new technology in the top-line Chevrolet sports car, the $104,000 E Ray jerks your head back as it goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray control buttons are seen on a model car, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The fastest corvette ever made comes out next year, and it's not powered soley by the traditional howling V8. The E Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all wheel drive version of the storied sports car with the front wheels running on a battery. Aimed at affluent buyers who want new technology in the top-line Chevrolet sports car, the $104,000 E Ray jerks your head back as it goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray is displayed, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The E-Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all-wheel-drive version of Chevrolet's storied sports car with the front wheels running on an electric motor the traditional 6.2-liter V8 powering the back.. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray is displayed, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The E-Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all-wheel-drive version of Chevrolet's storied sports car with the front wheels running on an electric motor the traditional 6.2-liter V8 powering the back. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2024 Corvette E Ray is displayed, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Milford Mich. The E-Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all-wheel-drive version of Chevrolet's storied sports car with the front wheels running on an electric motor the traditional 6.2-liter V8 powering the back.. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Although those figures are slightly faster than its race track-ready brothers, the Z06 and Z07, it's civil enough for the daily commute even though its rear tires are almost wide enough to compete in the Indianapolis 500.
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Tadge Juechter, the Corvette's executive chief engineer, said people would ask for the best version of the car, only to wind up a "track monster" that they're trying to drive every day. "For the same money you can get all-wheel-drive, and comfort, security, and the livability that comes with a car like this," he said. "We've really divided the family into pure track and to everyday utility."
Tadge Juechter, the chief engineer-Cadillac XLR & Chevrolet Corvette is seen Thursday in Milford Mich.
The E-Ray, which makes its debut exactly 70 years after the first Corvette was introduced in New York back in 1953, is a step toward an all-electric version of the car that will come out at at unspecified date.
Although GM may be over-selling the practicality, the E-Ray does come with all-season tires so it can be driven year-round, and the all-wheel-drive system is configured so it's confident in the snow, up to just 4 inches due to its low ground clearance.
Unlike most hybrids, it's not really made for efficiency, although will get a little better city mileage than a standard Stingray at 16 mpg. But because of higher mass and air drag, it will do worse than the standard Corvette's 24 mpg on the highway. The electric motor adds 160 horsepower to the 495 generated by the V8, for a total of 655. Both systems come on at once for maximum acceleration.
Engineers say its technology sets the stage for the all-electric Corvette. When the latest generation of 'Vette came out four years ago with the engine in the middle, engineers designed it so future there could be hybrid and electric versions in the future.
The car's computers are configured to keep it stable by applying power to individual wheels when it's slippery. GM engineers say most electronic stability controls rely on braking individual wheels. It's a lot of engineering work for a niche product, but GM says knowledge from developing the car will show up in other vehicles. GM sold only 34,510 Corvettes last year.
The 1.9 kilowatt-hour battery is small compared with a full electric vehicle. It's positioned under the console. You can't plug it in to recharge it, but it gets energy restored from regenerative braking and from the V8 motor. It can be driven in "stealth mode" up to 45 mph for a short distance to quietly leave a neighborhood, GM says.
"As fast as you can discharge it, we recharge it, and we always keep it at a pretty optimum state of charge," said Mike Kutcher, lead development engineer for the E-Ray. "We have a pretty high target state of charge so you always get maximum performance."
The E-Ray will hit showrooms sometime during the second half of this year as a 2024 model, GM said.
Rust in peace: Vehicles that are dying in 2023
Acura ILX
Never like the Acura Integra that it replaced, the ILX always seemed like a pretender to the throne. A half-hearted effort on Acura's part dating to 2013, the Acura Integra thankfully takes its slot for 2023.
Acura NSX
The second-generation NSX proved that hybrids didn't have to be boring. Yet as the world's exotic carmakers are planning to release hybrids, Acura is killing theirs despite the contemporary demeanor of the NSX.
Buick Encore
Seemingly, there will be no encore for the Encore, a diminutive subcompact SUV that once accounted for half of Buick's U.S. sales. Now it's outsold nearly 3-to-1 by the larger, cheaper Encore GX.
Chevrolet Spark
Diminutive in both size and price, this was the cheapest car in America. No, it wasn't speedy or sizable, but it was thrifty. A decent small car in a nation in love with large ones.
Chevrolet Trax
Tall and narrow, a new Chevrolet Trax is reportedly arriving for 2024. So maybe it's not dying so much as taking a very long nap.
Ford GT
This $500,000 Ford was an homage to its Le Mans-winning race cars of the 1960s. But as Ford shifts to an electrified lineup, an electric GT could always be a possibility. A gas-powered one? Evidently not.
Honda Insight
With the launch of a new Civic Hybrid, the need for a separate but same-size hybrid seems as if it came from the Department of Redundancy Department. But its visual eloquence will be missed.
Hyundai Accent
Still popular, this handsome little sedan is being replaced by the Venue SUV as Hyundai's cheapest model, although the Venue starts more than $2,300 higher.
Hyundai Ioniq
These Hyundai hybrids are being shown the door as Hyundai offers a number of hybrids across its lineup. But its name is being repurposed for an all-electric sub-brand, starting with the Ioniq 5.
Hyundai Veloster
With more versatile vehicles like the Elantra N and Kona N introduced into the Hyundai lineup, this unique model has seen its popularity plummet in the past two years. Arrivederci.
Infiniti Q60
The Q60 coupe receives the coup de grâce this year as Infiniti continues to suffer from a lack of a clear identity. This is the most fun of all its vehicles to drive, so its loss doesn't help Infiniti's image.
Lamborghini Aventador
Still sexy despite its age, this is the last year for this 12-cylinder supercar, which will replaced by an electrified model within a couple years. While it will be good, it won't be the same.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
This was Mercedes-Benz's least expensive model in 2022, starting at less than $34,000. That honor now falls to the GLA crossover, at less than $37,000.
Nissan Rogue Sport
Filling the spot between the Rogue and the Kicks, the Rogue Sport appears absent from Nissan's 2023 lineup. The question is: Will anyone miss it?
Toyota Avalon
The car that wears the name of the island where King Arthur's body was taken upon his death is now joining the legendary king in eternity.
Volkswagen Passat
This American-built Passat bore little resemblance to its European counterpart, with little character or superb handling. Unsullied and faultlessly ordinary, it never captured the imagination.
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK
The old version of the Grand Cherokee stuck around as a lower cost alternative to its newer sibling. But the new one is so good, who wants the old one?
Ram ProMaster City
This one always looked kind of odd for a Ram, and that's because it's really Fiat Doblo cargo van. Yet its sales seemed solid, so its demise may mean something better is about to arrive.
PennyWise podcast: 8 money-saving factors to consider when buying a new car
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Top 5 vehicles to look out for in 2023
2023 Toyota Prius
The 2023 Toyota Prius has been redesigned with better looks and better fuel economy.
When Toyota removed the wraps off the redesigned Prius, most were taken aback by its stylish looks. Gone are the awkward styling and the underpowered hybrid engine. The new powertrain produces almost 200 horsepower — a gain of over 70 horsepower — which results in significantly quicker acceleration. This power gain doesn't come at the expense of fuel efficiency, either. Toyota says the base Prius will get an impressive 57 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
The interior is more conventional-looking, though we see that as a plus, thanks to a high-mounted touchscreen display and a digital gauge cluster that sits behind the steering wheel instead of perched on the center of the dashboard. Toyota also updated the new Prius' tech with a bigger center touchscreen and more helpful voice command features.
Estimated starting price: $28,000
2023 Dodge Hornet
The 2023 Dodge Hornet is an all-new compact SUV that shares underpinnings with the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Dodge's latest creation isn't something you'd expect from a brand that boasts large and powerful vehicles like the Charger and Durango. The all-new Dodge Hornet is a small SUV powered by a strong turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a 288-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain. It shares a platform with its corporate cousin, the Alfa Romeo Tonale, and will compete with the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos.
As with other Dodge models, the Hornet sports an aggressive front fascia. Inside, the SUV provides a roomy cabin for its size and a modern interior that features a standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch center touchscreen. When you consider its strong engines, standard all-wheel-drive system and tech features, its starting price is quite attractive.
Estimated starting price: $30,000
2024 Ford Mustang
The 2024 Ford Mustang is a muscle car that might be the last V8-powered Mustang from the brand.
The 2024 Ford Mustang marks the seventh generation of the long-running and renowned pony car. This Mustang is more of an evolution than a revolution since it uses the same platform and is powered by updated versions of the 5.0-liter V8 and turbocharged 2.3-liter engines. Ford has added power to the V8, giving it a maximum of 500 horsepower in the new Dark Horse model. The four-cylinder is up to 315 horsepower, which is the most standard power in a Mustang to date.
The new Mustang's exterior has a familiar but more sculptured and modern design. Inside is where the most significant improvements were made. Your eyes will be drawn to the 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster that can be paired with an available 13.2-inch touchscreen. A new neat feature allows the engine to be revved remotely, via the key fob, to show off to your neighbors.
Estimated starting price: $32,000
2023 Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a midsize three-row SUV that has been redesigned for 2023 to be roomier and more versatile.
The three-row Honda Pilot midsize SUV has been hauling families around for 20 years now and benefits from a full redesign for the 2023 model year. Besides a revised exterior and interior, Honda gave its largest SUV more passenger space with additional legroom in both rear rows and an available removable second-row middle seat that allows for up to eight-passenger seating.
A new TrailSport model improves the Pilot's off-road prowess with a 1-inch suspension lift, underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires and a more capable all-wheel-drive system. Finally, the Pilot's improved 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row is one of the largest in its class.
Starting price: $40,445
2023 Toyota Crown
The 2023 Toyota Crown is an all-new large hybrid sedan that offers an SUV-like view of the road.
The Crown is Toyota's all-new large sedan that replaces the discontinued Avalon. Hoping to attract SUV buyers and perhaps carve out a niche, the Crown provides a higher driving position than a traditional sedan and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Buyers have a choice of two hybrid engines, a base unit that produces 236 horsepower and a 340-horsepower Hybrid Max engine that powers the top Platinum trim, which can be ordered with a distinctive two-tone paint job.
The comfortable Crown boasts a well-appointed interior that features a large digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen. The base hybrid engine delivers an estimated 41 mpg in combined driving, which is impressive for a large all-wheel-drive sedan. The more powerful hybrid engine, however, returns a less exceptional 30 mpg combined but should deliver a more entertaining driving experience.
Starting price: $41,045
PennyWise podcast: 8 money-saving factors to consider when buying a new car
