GrandSport 2017

Its interesting, Ive seen lots of talk about the eRay lately and its slot in the lineup and no one seems to be sure where it should fit in.

Its also interesting to me that everyone is assuming the eRay will "need" a V8 engine. Ive been trying to understand why this is the universal thought right now.

So I'm asking for opinions on these basic questions...
Would it need to have a V8 to sell?
Would it need a V8 to accelerate like a Tesla Model S?
Would it need a V8 for a decent range?
Would it need a V8 to sound good?
Does it need to "sound good" at all?
Does it need to be able to just run on the battery?
Does it need to be able to be plugged in?
Does the engine need to be able to fully charge the battery?
Does it need to perform better than the Stingray?
Does it need to weigh less than 3900 pounds?
Does it need to cost less than $80,000?
Does it need to be a widebody?
Does it need to be a "performance" version at all?

Kodiak Bear

What I expect is that GM designed a performance hybrid from the get go. The easiest and most economical way to do that is to simply add the e components to the present C8, push rod V8 and all. That also minimizes the development risk as well cost of development and manufacture and maintenance. Not to mention that the batteries do not limit the range at all. Further if the e system fails in any way you still have a drivable car. Evidence are the pics showing a NSX performance hybrid accompanying the camo C8 test cars. https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2021...rmance-hybrid/
As a performance hybrid, the widebody comes along with the deal. As does the best weight management GM can deliver.

What I hope is that the price is below the Z06 by a nice margin.

PurpleLion

It needs a V8 because the easiest and lightest hybrid solution is to use a V8 in the rear and use electric in the front. Any other configuration would involve additional problems and more weight.

Zaro Tundov

They could use an updated LGX DOHC 3.6 L V6 in the E-Ray with a dry sump, lighter internals, and an 8000 rpm redline. Combined with a couple front motors it would probably slightly exceed the performance of the Stingray and be an exceptional sports car.

It would be a commercial flop, of course. There are already myriad six cylinder sports cars to choose from and if the hybrid Corvette isn’t much better than a Stingray then why pay more for the extra complexity and weight?

Conversely a V8 Corvette performance hybrid is an amazingly cool marriage of the traditional small block with modern hybrid technology. Even better it’s a study in excess with both high torque motors and a stump pulling small block. Figure on around 600 lb-ft of torque, immense AWD traction, and lightning throttle response. At legal street speeds it will dominate the ZO6 and best even most EVs from 0 - 60.

Oh and it will get great gas mileage and have all the grand touring attributes of the Stingray with the edge of a Z51 when desired.

The ZO6 will beat it on a track and in driving excitement but for the way most owners use their Corvettes the E-Ray will be the one to get.

msm859

Right now keeping the basic engine the same would be the least expensive option - better than a v-6. If you have perused these threads enough there is percentage of people on here who already think adding electric is heresy. I think a PHEV is a good baby step. But what that means is it should sound the same, still have a V-8 AND she a marked improvement in acceleration. It needs to be a PHEV so that it can also get great mpg. Again I know for some talking about mpg is blasphemy but that is the direction the world is going. GM could EASILY get the E-Ray to under 2.5 0-60 and over 50 MPGe. And they could easily do it with a hard costs of under $10k above the base Stingray (maybe not with the wide body). And yes it needs to be a "performance" version - that is the only way you are going to persuade some of the benefits of adding electric propulsion.

-ZEEOHSIX-

For me, it would need to have a few boxes checked.

LT2
Widebody from the Z06
Hybrid electric-powered front wheels (AWD)
Upgraded suspension to handle the AWD and the added weight

Price isn't all that relevant to me when it comes to this vehicle. That will really depend on how GM markets the vehicle and how they plan to slot it in the hierarchy. If it's north of 600bhp, I suspect that it will have a competitive base price close to the C8Z, similar to the Grand Sport of previous generations. If for some wild reason they make the E-Ray more powerful or even similarly powered to the Z06, I suspect it may cost just as much if not more; they are after all appealing to a very different crowd with that car. An AWD hybrid Corvette with the torque of the LT2 AND electric motors will haul some *** in a straight line and likely feel absolutely amazing on the streets.

PurpleLion

Adding the electric motors and batteries will of course add weight. However the additional weight will be in the front which will help weight distribution.

This car will require cylinder deactivation so we need hydraulic valves as in the LT2.

Also, the front wheels and tires will need to be bigger than the base C8. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using the wheels and tires of the Z06 which require the wide body.

CDNZR

Wide body and more hp then Stingray. eRay, GS what ever it is. Not picky.
GTR was always a porker but it holds its own pretty well even with all that mass?

MY04CE

Opinion: Given that the 'E-Ray' is the next stepping stone, following the 2023 Z06, to the new ZR-1, which will probably have 800+ hp, the E-Ray will use:

1. the LT2 engine to save cost -- even though a turbo v-6 would make more sense, but too expensive
2. the Z06 wide body for front wheel clearance
3. a single electric motor driving both front wheels -- fronk is still there, but very limited in total space
4. 0-60 time of 2.56 -- quicker than the Z06 at 2.6
5. top speed of 175 -- additional weight over Z06 and Stingray
6. come standard with Z06 size all-season tires
7. MPGe of 45+
8. MSRP of $75,000

Thoughts or other opinions?

Only1cannoli

needs dual electric motors (think Tesla hi-perf) wider front (tires) and improved suspension to handle another 250+ ft lbs of torque. 0-60 will be more important than top speed. Won’t be a track car.

MarioC8

I agree with much of this except for the price. MSRP price of stingray will probably get close to $70k in 2023 model year. I think it’ll be $85k for the eRay and $95k for the Z06.

JABCAT

Based on comments from the Corvette Team of the Z06 having unique front & rear fascia for the first time in its history, I don’t think the next variant will share those.

I might be wrong but haven’t all the suspected ERay camo’d mules been narrow body cars?

It has to have a V8 for nothing else than Corvette’s 70 year (by the time this version is released) history of having a V8.

C21ban

My prediction on 0-60 is 2.2.

lspalding

I agree with you. I think this version will be very popular.

GrandSport 2017

So let put it this way.
How many HP does the pony motor need to be vs. the electric portion of power delivery?
Now don't think of this as voting for what you WANT it to be but what you think GM will produce to slot this car in its best marketing position.
Remember this car is NOT going to be marketed to previous corvette buyers and its unlikely to be above the Z06 HP wise.

250hp gas +150hp/front electric +150hp/rear electric 500hp total
250hp gas +250hp/f electric 500hp total
300hp gas +125hp/f +125hp/r electric 550hp total
350hp gas +250hp/f electric 600hp total
400hp gas +100hp/f +100hp/r electric 600hp total
495hp gas +150hp/f electric 650hp total

-ZEEOHSIX-

Lets be honest with ourselves about the driving experience that the E-Ray may provide. If it really does have the LT2, from the drivers perspective, it'll most likely feel like it's just got a roaring V8 in the back while its in full send and feel absolutely fantastic but I bet it'll understeer into oblivion until folks figure it out so, no craziness around the twisties.

Only1cannoli

predicting 495 + 150+ = 650+ and a 0-60 time of 2.6 secs, maybe better.

OnPoint

I expect I'll have little to no interest in it.

St!ngray

It also needs to be announce this year, together with the other GM EV's.

msm859

Except the math does not work that way. Peak hp with the ICE will be at a different rpm then peak hp with the electric motors. So it it not simply add them up. I suspect the hp of the ICE will be the same 490-495 hp. Hopefully the electric motor(s) will be at least 150 hp. But that would probably give you something closer to 600 hp total.