The Corvette E-Ray, General Motors' first electrified Corvette, has arrived in Europe, blending a V8 engine with electric power for enhanced performance. WIRED tested the hybrid sports car on Britain's challenging road surfaces, praising its traction and dynamics. Priced above £150,000, it competes with European supercars like the Ferrari 296 GTB.
General Motors is expanding the Corvette's presence in Europe amid renewed interest in the brand. The eighth-generation Corvette shifted its 6.2-liter V8 engine to the mid-position, a move echoing early concepts by Zora Arkus-Duntov from the 1960s. The E-Ray builds on this by introducing hybrid technology, pairing the V8's 475 bhp with a 160-bhp electric motor on the front axle for a total of 645 bhp—matching the Z06 model.
Unlike plug-in hybrids such as the Ferrari 296 GTB or McLaren Artura, the E-Ray focuses on performance rather than efficiency. It uses a 1.9-kWh lithium-ion battery in the central tunnel, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and software to integrate components. Standard features include wide-body styling from the Z06, carbon-ceramic brakes, and tires measuring 275/30ZR-20 at the front and 345/25ZR-21 at the rear, with all-season Michelin Pilot Sports optional.
In stealth mode, the car runs silently on electric power for a few miles, a novelty for a front-drive Corvette. Switching to the 6.2-liter LT2 engine in Tour mode delivers refined handling, while Sport mode accelerates it to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds with 574 lb-ft of torque. The double-wishbone suspension and magnetic dampers provide excellent body control on uneven UK roads, making it suitable for all seasons.
WIRED notes the design as a 'riot of competing angles,' dramatic but not elegant, though the interior offers good ergonomics and a comfortable driving position. Despite its American roots, the E-Ray matches European rivals in dynamics and traction, proving versatile beyond brutal winters.