Corvette E-Ray

When the Corvette Sting Ray was re-introduced in 2019, it was considered a bargain. So too. the Corvette E-Ray. Entry into the segment will land you in the high $70,000 range, which in the grand scheme of things isn’t that big a deal. But we here at Napleton News like bargains so naturally, when we heard the Corvette E-Ray was on the way, we jolted into position to be the next scribes in the driver’s seat. Here’s what we thought!

What so shocking about a Corvette E-Ray?

Well, it’s Hybrid-Electric for starters! That means it takes the Corvette’s standard 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque 6.2-liter V8 and gives it an electrical jolt (get it?!) from an motor on the front axle. With electric energy coming from a lithium-ion battery, the gas engine and electric motor combine to deliver 655 hp. The gearbox is a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid motor propels the car until you hit around 45 miles per hour. After that, you are using the 6.2-liter for propulsion.

The battery is recharged using regenerative braking and coasting. Binders are carbon ceramic with electric regeneration. That way, charging is a non-issue, and range anxiety magically disappears. In other words, there’s no need to sidle up to a charger!

From a suspension standpoint, the E-Ray rides on GM’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control, which firms or softens ride quality on the fly as read by sensors.

What’s up with the E-Ray’s looks?

Looking every bit like the supercar it is, the new Corvette E-Ray Convertible 3LZ appeared in what we would characterize as understated. What do we mean? It’s not as extreme as say a Pagani or Lamborghini. But there is still a bit of swagger to the look. Start with a body kit lifted from the Corvette Z06 parts bin. Add aggressive body-colored scoops behind the doors, and subtle E-Ray badging on the sides while huge fenders cover beefy Michelin all-season tires front and rear.

An add-on for this tester: Carbon Fiber wheels for a wallet-emptying $11,000.

If there is a downside to this car, it’s in the targa roof. The roof itself works easily enough but when stowed, the buttresses can block rearward vision.

Looking inside the E-Ray.

A white set of seats greets driver and passenger in the new Corvette E-Ray. Truth be told, we’re not fans of the arrangement because of how they show dirt, or in some cases a shade of indigo after much surface-to-surface contact with a set of blue jeans. The next thing we see is a sueded and squared steering wheel. Well, it also had carbon fiber inserts but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

A Bose Performance Series 14 speaker audio system supplies the entertainment when you bore of the dulcet tones emanating from the 6.2-liter V8.

The one thing that we didn’t expect to see in the E-Ray was the digital rear camera mirror. Whatchoo talking about, Willis? It’s one of those newfangled rearview mirrors that’s a combo mirror and video screen. It takes a bit of getting used to because your vision has to adjust focus on a different plane. If it becomes too much, you can always flip the little switch on the bottom to revert to a conventional mirror.

Storage space is at a premium here with the Corvette E-Ray. Pack lightly for a weekend using nothing larger than a rollaboard suitcase and a duffle bag for the boot.

Behind the wheel of the E-Ray.

Getting into the E-Ray could try your patience, wreck your back, bump your head or all of the above. We did most of the above (except wreck our back). What you need to remember is to think as you get in. That way you avoid most of the pitfalls before they occur. Once in the first thing you notice is the squared circle of the steering wheel. Sure, it looks funky, but its design is first rate. Everything falls under your hand where it should.

Push the starter button for a roar that will awaken the dead, or at least your neighbors. But it’s just for a moment before things calm down and the engine is almost quiet while running at idle. After backing using the digital mirror, we push the “D” button to head out. Switch to stealth mode for silent running through the neighborhood early on a Saturday morning.

Acceleration is stellar. So is handling. It’s so well engineered that all you need to do is think where you want the car to go and it just does. You can’t argue about that. Having an all-wheel drive system adds more confidence when whipping wheel around a highway cloverleaf exit. At that point the car feels as though it is pulling you through the turn rather than pushing you into it.

The bottom line:

You don’t buy the E-Ray to save fuel or by extension save the world. Instead, you buy it to go fast. With the combined horsepower rating of 655, it is just shy of the King of the Road Z06.