The easiest way to figure out which is which is by looking at the placement of the quad exhaust tips as the E-Ray has them in the corners of the rear bumper whereas the Z06 has a center-mounted setup. Another method to identify the electrified model is by its license plate as the camouflaged prototype carrying the registration number ending in “992” is the E-Ray.

It is believed the first-ever hybrid Corvette will replace the traditional Grand Sport trim for the 2023 model year. According to various reports, it’s going to carry a starting price of less than $100,000, and for your money’s worth, the 6.2-liter V8 will work together with a pair of electric motors. The combustion engine is expected to drive the rear wheels while the e-motors will power the front axle, thus resulting in an AWD layout.

The total output could exceed a healthy 600 horsepower (447 kilowatts) provided by the naturally aspirated LT2 with just under 500 hp and the rest generated by the e-motors. It is believed the Corvette E-Ray will even have a pure electric mode, in which case the top speed is going to be electronically capped at 35 mph (56 km/h).

The hybrid system is said to enable the E-Ray to reach 60 mph from a standstill in less than three seconds, which would be quite remarkable for a sports car that doesn’t cost six figures. Chevy’s engineers are allegedly developing the electrified Corvette with regenerative braking while retaining the eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox of the regular model.

If the E-Ray is indeed coming for the 2023 model year, it means the company with the bowtie emblem will reveal the hybrid ‘Vette at some point in 2022. Expect at least a six-month gap between the Z06 and the E-Ray, so don’t expect the latter to debut sooner than mid-2022.

Source: CarSpyMedia / YouTube

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According to Muscle Cars and Trucks, the Corvette E-Ray will rely on the trusty 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8. The gasoline LT2 engine will soldier on with just under 500 horsepower, but combined with the added oomph coming from one electric motor feeding from a battery pack. In a shock move, we’re hearing one of the most iconic American performance cars will have all-wheel drive.

The report goes on to say the hybrid Corvette will offer a combined output of 650 hp after taking into account the extra muscle delivered by the electric motor. The latter will allegedly drive the front axle to enable the AWD layout and provide the sports car with an electric top speed of up to 35 mph (56 km/h). When in electric mode, the V8 will be shut off, effectively making the Corvette E-Ray a front-wheel-drive car in the same vein as the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

The jury is still out on whether it will be a regular hybrid or a PHEV, but Muscle Cars and Trucks is confident it will keep the dual-clutch, eight-speed automatic transmission of the standard Corvette. Regenerative braking will send energy back to the battery pack for extra efficiency, while acceleration to 60 mph is said to take in the low two-second territory.

Chevrolet is expected to unveil the Corvette E-Ray at some point in 2023 to coincide with the 70^th birthday of the fabled performance machine. Eventually, a Zora hybrid will allegedly follow, packing as much a 1,000 horsepower.

Source: Muscle Cars and Trucks

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