Corvette E-Ray Hybrid Will Reportedly Out-Accelerate the C8 Z06

Those that want the quickest version of the C8 prior to the ZR1 might be best served by the electrified Corvette E-Ray.

We’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of a host of C8 Corvette variants for some time now, including the Z06, E-Ray, ZR1, and maybe even the Zora. Over the last year or two, however, we’ve received nothing but crickets from GM and a whole bunch of rumors from all over the internet. However, things have been heating up in recent weeks, and we recently received confirmation that the Corvette E-Ray hybrid is in fact in development. Now, we’re learning that it might just be the drag racer’s Corvette of choice as well.

It’s fairly well-known that electric motors are capable of delivering all of their torque as soon as you mash the go pedal, which is why electric cars are so darn quick off the line. So we would expect a hybrid Corvette – especially one equipped with the major traction advantage afforded by all-wheel-drive – would be one heck of a fast accelerating car. But according to a recently printed MotorTrend report, it will be even quicker than the forthcoming C8 Z06.

This might not come as a shocker to some, especially when we look at the rumored powertrains for both of these future Corvette variants. The Corvette E-Ray will reportedly come equipped with the C8’s LT2 V8, which produces up to 495 horsepower, along with two 37+ kW electric motors – one on each axle – that provide at least an additional 50 horsepower each. Total output will reportedly crest the 600 horsepower mark.

By comparison, the C8 Z06 will reportedly debut GM’s new LT6 flat-plane crank V8 that produces 600 naturally-aspirated horsepower. On paper then, it might seem like the Z06 would have a slight advantage given the fact that it will likely weigh less than the E-Ray. But that advantage is mitigated, and likely overcome completely by the rest of the hybrid’s drivetrain.

That is, of course, the addition of all-wheel-drive and torque vectoring at the front wheels. Those tidbits, combined with the instant torque provided by the electric motors, will reportedly make the Corvette E-Ray accelerate from 0-60 quicker than the Z06. After that, well, it’s hard to say. Perhaps the E-Ray will fall off at the top end a bit like most electric cars do, while the high-revving Z06 edges it out in the quarter-mile.

We’re talking about two models that haven’t even been confirmed to exist by their manufacturer, so we’ll just have to take all of this with a giant grain of salt. But for those that don’t mind the idea of an electrified Corvette and want the quickest version possible, the E-Ray might just be the way to go.

Photos: Chevrolet, Corvette Forum

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