2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible First Look Review: The Do-It-All Corvette
There is a lot for drop-top fans to like about the Chevrolet Corvette lineup. The standard Stingray and Z06 have already spawned roofless variants, and now it's the turn of the hybrid E-Ray to do the same - a model that's been touted as being perfectly track-capable but more approachable than the Z06.
With the hardtop convertible and the added electric components, this is the single heaviest Corvette in the C8 generation thus far, so it's just as well that it has a combined 655 horsepower from its electric motor and 6.2-liter LT2 V8. The E-Ray Convertible has an intelligent eAWD system that allows it to make full use of the 655 horses, and like other Corvettes, it will have more performance than other sports cars at the same price point. Perhaps its main rival is none other than the Z06 Convertible, so let's take an early look at what the E-Ray has to offer.
When Is The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible Coming Out?
A release date for the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible isn't far off, as the company has confirmed it will go on sale in 2023. Whether this is early or late in the year remains to be seen. The E-Ray Convertible will be coming out alongside its E-Ray Coupe sibling in the USA, and both will be built at the GM Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible Price And Competition
There is the usual premium for the drop-top model relative to the coupe. At $109,900 excluding the destination charge of $1,395, the base price for the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible 1LZ is $7,000 more than the coupe's MSRP. The mid-range 2LZ (Bose sound system, performance data recorder, heated/ventilated seats and more are added) goes for $115,400 and the 3LZ (GT2 seats with Nappa leather, carbon fiber steering wheel and paddles, and sueded microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim) is $120,850.
Rivals will include the sublime Porsche 911 Cabriolet, but it's completely outgunned by the E-Ray hybrid's powertrain. The base Carrera Cabriolet costs $118,900 but only has 379 hp. You'll need at least the 911 Turbo Cabriolet to get close to the E-Ray's performance, and that will cost $195,700. Also substantially pricier is the Audi R8 Spyder, which begins at $171,000.
New Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible Exterior And Colors
There isn't a huge difference in the exterior styling of the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible and its coupe sibling, especially as the latter comes with a removable roof panel. That said, the coupe has its engine on full display, whereas the drop-top has a panel for the convertible top covering most of the V8 and a different rear window. The E-Ray Convertible's classic supercar proportions are striking; it's wide and low, and shares its widebody proportions with the Z06 to accommodate its wide wheels. There are also a range of exterior accessories and options to customize it.
There is a choice of aluminum and carbon fiber wheels, the latter including one version with a red stripe. These wheels measure 20 inches in front and 21 inches at the back, and they're shod in Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires.
With the optional performance package, you get Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires. Brembo carbon ceramic brakes are standard, and you can have them in colors like red, orange, and yellow.
Exterior options include a visible carbon fiber spoiler, chrome or carbon flash badging, and visible carbon fiber ground effects.
There are a number of vivid colors for the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible's exterior. These include Accelerate Yellow, Torch Red, Amplify Orange Tint, and Rapid Blue. New colors for the 2024 model year are Riptude Blue, Seawolf Gray, and Cacti. Exclusive to the E-Ray is a body-length stripe package in Electric Blue, which works well with one of the lighter paint colors.
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible Dimensions
The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible's dimensions don't differ from the coupe's, as Chevy supplies the same specs for both. That means a length of 184.6 inches, a width of 79.7 inches, a height of 48.6 inches, and a 107.2-inch wheelbase. The main difference relative to the less powerful Stingray is the E-Ray's 3.6-inch greater width.
With a dry weight of 3,856 pounds, the E-Ray Convertible is 82 lbs heavier than the coupe.
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible Engine And Performance
Along with its coupe sibling, this is the first-ever electrified Corvette with all-wheel drive. Most of the power comes from the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible's V8 engine. Displacing 6.2 liters, the small block LT2 develops 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, all of which goes to the rear wheels. Unlike other Corvettes, the front wheels are also powered, but by the permanent magnetic drive electric motor exclusively. This makes 160 hp and 125 lb-ft on its own, and the system develops a heady 655 hp combined.
Despite being a bit heavier than the coupe, Chevy has quoted the same 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds for all Corvette E-Rays, along with a quarter-mile time of just 10.5 seconds. That makes it the quickest production Corvette ever, and the blistering acceleration is no doubt helped by both the AWD traction and the fast shifts of the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The power supplied to the front wheels by the electric motor enhances stability, and Chevy promises amazing acceleration when powering out of corners. All of this firepower contrasts with the new Stealth Mode, which enables all-electric driving up to 45 mph, making it perfect for quietly returning home or leaving without upsetting neighbors. There are another six driver-selectable modes, these being Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode, and Z-Mode.
An available ZER Performance Package adds not only special Michelin Sport tires but also chassis tuning and other performance improvements.
All in all, it sounds like the Corvette E-Ray Convertible will have a wider spread of talents than gas-only Corvettes, and we can't wait to get behind the wheel and experience it for ourselves.
Gas Mileage
Since the electric motor is mostly there to bolster performance, we don't expect the gas mileage to be markedly different to the Stingray Convertible. That particular Corvette returns 16/24/19 mpg city/highway/combined. If the EPA figures for the E-Ray match this, drivers can expect a range of approximately 351 miles when the 18.5-gallon gas tank is full.
The E-Ray Convertible isn't a plug-in hybrid so the 1.9-kWh lithium-ion battery - located between the seats - is charged during normal driving or by regenerative energy when coasting or braking. This also negates the need to find a fast charger close to home. A Charge+ function can be activated to maximize the battery's state of charge.
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible Interior And Cargo
For the most part, the C8-generation Corvette's cabin has impressed with solid materials, a distinctly driver-focused layout, and plenty of customization potential. That hasn't changed in the interior of the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible, which introduces an Artemis Dipped color scheme with deep green tones. This is a great look, but there are more flamboyant interior colors like Adrenaline Red, Two-Tone Blue, and Sky Cool Gray.
As standard, the seats in the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible are finished in leather, but suede and performance textile upholstery options are also available. There are GT1, GT2, and Competition seat designs, with the Competition items developed specifically for track driving. To further brighten up the cabin, the black seat belts can be had in yellow, blue, red, or orange. There are both Stealth and Carbon Fiber trim packages for the interior.
There are a few changes in the E-Ray as opposed to non-hybrid Corvettes, including new Charge+ and stop-start buttons on the console. Drivers can also choose from three display layouts - Gauges, Dyno, or Data - with information pertaining to the electrified propulsion system. More technical insights can be accessed via the E-Ray Performance App on the infotainment system.
To keep the driver and passenger safer, the E-Ray has a more advanced array of driver-assistance features like lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and automatic emergency braking. A head-up display is standard, and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system is available.
Cargo space inside the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible measures an acceptable 12.5 cubic feet, and because of the compact electric motor over the front axle, space in the front storage compartment is still quite practical.