I always love listening to this Engineer from GM being a nerd myself. I have seen his other video clips in the GM videos. He always gives highly technical explanation (he really knows this car inside and out) while still remaining rooted in the racing enthusiasm. Being an engineer myself, I love those detailed explanations
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp That is your own opinion. If Teslas were that great, interior would not feel like a $30K rental car. Ranked near the bottom in terms of quality and also resale. They are like a dime a dozen here for sale used in my city. Great 0-60 mph car, but it is like a toaster with 4 wheels.
I am a PROUD GM employee and I am absolutely thrilled with the new E-Ray. My sister has an NSX, so I've driven a similar high-performance hybrid vehicle but the E-Ray's performance is absolutely insane by comparison. So proud of my company for developing such a great vehicle that takes advantage of our V8 and new electric technology! Can't wait to own one someday!
Austin, Amazing job with your interview, video, and content man! Aaron always impresses during your interviews too...ha ha ha! I'm loving the E-Ray and it's wide range of things it does well! Looking forward to seeing if I can get on an early list at MSRP! Be well -Shane
When I first heard about the E-Ray I was super excited. Now I’m not so certain. The MSRP is much higher than everyone thought. Most folks expected $85-90K. I currently own a 2022 C8 and would trade up. Now GM may have priced me, and others, out of the market. Still I’m first on the list with my dealer to get their first allocation. Time will tell. Cheers!
Albeit more expensive if you ask me, it's more dependent on what you are wanting. This E-Ray is more of a grand tour alternative to the Z06. Relatively the same acceleration just without the sound of the high-revving V8 and track-oriented driving dynamics. The E-Ray will be more frugal than either the Z06 or the base engine. It's been confirmed that the E-Ray will not come with a gas guzzler tax. I'm not entirely sure about the tires, beings that it's the widest factory all season in the world. So replacing the tires might get expensive beings that most tire manufacturers probably don't even have all seasons that wide. But it does come standard with carbon ceramics which will last longer not only because of the material but because of regenerative braking as well. Hell if you are a track guy and can get used to the regenerative braking. You might not have to go through brakes like crazy. For me, I go to the track every so often. But not enough to justify getting the Z06 with the Z07.
@99 Zulu Carbon Ceramics are awful for track use. The heat causes them to lose lifespan very very quickly. It's meant for people who use these sports cars as pure grocery getters or commuters, with occasional spirited driving
Watched several "youtubers" videos on the ERay. Most are surface level. I knew yours would be the most informative and offer the best insight when comparing it to the z06. Great video, yet again. Best true C8 content of anyone.
E-Ray = Much better street/every day car. Z06 = Slightly better track car, and a more exotic experience because of the engine and exhaust note. BOTH incredible machines.
I think the AWD/ all weather aspect is a big selling point and a game changer for those who live in the Northeast. AWD is one of th big reasons I bought my current BMW M240i x-drive, Before that, I had a Mustang and 350Z and I always had to worry about anything more than a dusting of snow, Now I don't have to to even think about that at all unless we have a real blizzard. It also makes launching super easy in rainy conditions too. On the track, you might notice the added weight, sure, but on the street, I doubt it would make any real difference. I also really like the the body colored accents on this car. Makes it seem like a more flowing design and really looks mazing with the wider Z06 style body. Z06 engine plus the electric AWD power would be next level. Can't wait to see what they do with engine/turbos(?) + electric combos in the ZR1 and Zora. This car for all year use and the Z06 for track and warm summer days would be a great garage to have indeed!
all wheel drive dont mean crap in the winter as long as you have no snow tires on it and an idiot behind the wheel, i have driven rear wheel drive all my life and never had a problem because i used common sense which a lot of persons dont have today, just watch the videos dealing with idiot drivers and it become very obvious i have seen so many four wheel drive vehicles piled up all over the place because most think they are bullet proof and they are notl
It would be nice to see a body structure change on this model. I agree! I think make it look like the car on the transformer movie. It’s more suitable in my opinion.
I think it a great car for the Corvette masses, street and country road drivers. I love it, I want it, I can't afford it. Well done Chevy team. I am waiting to see if there is a Grand Sport and ZR1 are coming in the next years. Hell, soon we will be looking at what a C9 version will be.
The ERay is a world beater, with that new AWD capability. There are now cars 2-3 time MORE expensive that won't stand a chance against this beast on Zee Nuremburg, Laguna Seca, or any other road coarse. BBOO'YAAHHH!!!
Nice review Austin and great walk round. Best utube yet video on the cut-away car. Yes, I like this car, and for people living in snow country regions of the US the all wheel drive should be very tempting. Heck, I have an all wheel drive SUV living here in SoCal and like the added security with all the rain we have been having. It will be interesting to see what it can do on the track, but I am betting at Laguna Seca it will have similar lap times to the Z06.
I think isolating the two drive systems is a great idea, very creative way to go about the design, and that blue is growing on me, thanks for bringing us this informative video!
One thing I'm still hoping becomes an option, is the glass room TOGETHER with the convertable. Over winter, I still want to see the sky (Canada here, and I'm not going to drop that top in winter!).
@@codywillis9882 what's the material in the regular manually removable roof? Plexiglass? I don't care the material as long as the sky shows through clearly 😋. I can't say I looked into weight difference in the roof options that currently exist.
Why not drop the top in the winter? I bought a 1967 Firebird convertible from the original owner, who owned the car in New York. Sometimes the top on this car would be down for five years or more. He simply would lean the passenger seat forward, turn the heater up, dress warm and enjoy the ride. As long as the roads were dry, of course, and in the winter that happens often, even with snow on the ground.
Austin, I was "tracking" with what you said regarding performance on the race track vs. the Swiss Army Knife. Lighter the better. Weight to horsepower. Getting around the track in the least amount of time. Will be interesting if/when you get a chance to drive this new electric version compared to your Z06. Another great informational video!
Austin, great video as always. I personally believe the days of C5, C6 Z06 weights are over. With all the safety requirements, creature comforts, tech and the push for electric, I really don't see the Corvette seeing a sub 3400 car again. It is why cars such as Mclaren and some Porsches carry that high cost. Reducing weight comes at a price out of the reach of most Corvette buyers. The next time you have a GM engineer around, maybe you can ask them the possibility of a lower curb weight car, especially since you track yours.
to be fair, the Z06 was already a pretty hefty car, but I'm glad they squeezed out more performance without major weight issues, just hope higher trim cars have some weight reduction to compensate for the added weight
Great questions to ask! Ask the right questions and get the right answers! Good feed back and thoughts really helps to get a good understanding of the new EV Stingray. Great video!
I know it's subtle but the body color front panel and the rear vent being body color as well really really change the look for me. I don't really like the Z06 but I love this car.
I don't think the weight matters so much. If someone is buying it FOR tracking, I think they've gotten confused. It's marketed to do "all" well, and I'm sure it will. What aftermarket people are going to do with it is going to be a curious thing to watch! Who knows what performance they may force out of this version!
It's a do everything car. Something you can use to drive 4 hours to a weekend track destination, drive it at the track, and then drive home. All with perfect comfort and maximum fun
Speed Phenom Awesome Video I think it's awesome that you got to get a full walk through at the All New C8 ERay and I think it's absolutey incredible and I definitely agree that I can't be as fast as a ZO6 on track because of all of the extra weight
Seen a lot of hate on this car because people think it's an EV, so for those who still have doubts, let me try to answer a few FAQs 1. The E-Ray is a hybrid with the same v8 as the stingray, no downsizing or EV yet 2. The AWD should not affect the top speed nor the ability to oversteer and throw the car around, as the engine still puts 100% power to the rear, not split to the front. 3. t's not a plug in, it's a performance hybrid powered off the engine 4. It's not the tier above the Z06, and it's not competing with the Z06 it's priced slightly below it and has a different purpose (likely grand sport replacement) so don't be disappointed at the slightly less horsepower, there is more to come. 5. Yeah it'll probably be a pain to maintain, at least the battery has a lot of buffer so it shouldn't be a major concern for a few years. Anyway, all of that is in the video itself, but a lot of people seem to see E-Ray and go right for the comments
All-wheel drive in a conventional ICE application would add a couple hundred pounds also. Would need to substitute some carbon fiber pieces on the chassis to counter the weight increase. Expensive. C/D did test the NSX Type S and said, "The Type S handles like it's at least 300 pounds lighter than its 3898-pound curb weight would suggest." So it should be interesting to see driving impressions when folks get to test the E-Ray.
I'm keeping my Z06 "order" (deposit/waiting list at this point), but I will make the E-Ray my daily driver as soon as I can (to replace Stingray). More livable day-to-day, same wide body, almost as much power, more torque, better grip, better gas mileage. Only downside for me is that I like the center exhaust better on the Z06.
Great review I’m more comfortable with a Hybrid then complete EV. I’ve been driving a company assigned 2020 Ford Escape for several years with absolutely zero issues, obviously this is a whole different animal so it’s going to remain a wait and see for me for the next couple years. I have my C8 2023 Anniversary and love it❤
Great video and i think the car is awesome. In spite of what this car is, i still have a hard time thinking of a $103k base price as "affordable". Guess it's all about perspective here.
It’s the best daily grand tour ever from Chevrolet and maybe any american brand IMO. I for one love this car as a bridge to keep the need of the V8 and add the AWD. I’m sure a quad motor all electric AWD will end up as a ZR1 some day and might be the fastest corvette ever
Sounds like the engineers thought of everyone and addressed it all. Surprised me this had the same additional cooling as the Z06. I'm not aware the Stingray had any cooling issues. I wasn't expecting this till end of next year. Sounds like it may be available late this year. I like it, and I'm betting many who were anti hybrid will be easing up on that stance.
The more I see the E Ray the more I like it. My first sports car was the 22 C8 HTC. I’m on a list for a Z06, but not likely to see one for more than 2 years. Frankly, I think the E Ray is more in line with my style. I’m not going to track the car, but I do like the wide body styling that matches the Z06. I live in the Northeast, so I can’t really drive it in bad weather. The AWD of the E Ray really does change things. I also like the added technology. I guess I will have to decide whether the car is worth the added money over my Stingray.
So nice to see body color side boomerang thing. That black bothered me way too much; also great to see it doesn't have the giant black 'square' parts under the light as the Stingray has - very glad it's rear breathing parts are smaller looking, as with the Z06.
Sooo I’m assuming the ZR1 or Zora or whatever Chevy will call it, is gonna have the the zo6 body style/tires/ break. Eray’s all wheel drive and hybrid system plus some twin turbos to put us around 770 hp and 615 tq
Hopefully it’s not literally the same exact body style as the Z06, and is wildly different in comparison like the C7 ZR1 was to the Z06. Or else, you really wouldn’t be able to tell a Z06, E-Ray, or ZR1 apart on the street unless you just KNEW or were really looking closely.
Not a real problem personally , but it's a bit of a struggle to chose between the two ( e ray and z 06) as a street car . Especially if you live where there is snow and you are going to use it as a car and not strictly a toy . With ultimate performance the same and the e ray a better street stoplight warrior it's really the sound and feel that is different . I really would struggle to chose . I like the body match and disagree with it needing more difference . You will know what you are looking at and hearing . Adding lightness would be great . But as mentioned this is a corvette not a real exotic even if they cost almost as much with covid tax and dealer rape .
Great video as usual. I got on an E-Ray list last year in anticipation of an AWD Vette with more 'E' than 'P' (probably in the minority on this). Given that Chevy elected to basically match the Z06 performance with the addition of an electric motor in the front and the use of the Z06 body, I am disappointed. Now you add in the E-Ray's $104K base price and I am probably out of the running for an E-Ray. At this point, I would rather see Chevy release a C8 GS for those of us that want the wide body, but do not need 655 hp or the electric hardware. Besides, there is a HUGE price gap between the ST and the E-Ray/Z06 that should be filled by a GS model.
It's easy to distinguish between an E-ray and a Z06. The front fascia of the e-ray is more complex and clunky than the Z06. The rear fascia has different louvers for heat venting, and they are body color rather than black. And the rear exhausts are completely different.
You can now get body colored accents on the Z06 I think with the 3LZ trim,so it can get confused with one another.i know because I was on the configurator on a Z06 and you can option it.but it does beg the question,Chevy was watching where Ferrari and McLaren were going and logically went on to fill the void they left. I can tell you a either a wise and or enthusiast product manager was instrumental in this move because that's what I would have done
Thanks Austin & Aaron (Team Corvette) I'm EXCITED FOR CORVETTES NEW ERAY, Ill Buy One, But How Long will this be, before I can get one??? I Love the AWD Corvette!!!!!!!
I Strongly Agree with your final statements... Curb weight, and balanced weight With the driver and passenger, makes a big difference... "Who has the most HP?" is a very common question... but "Pounds per HP" is a better question... My Ram Pickup truck has a little over 500 HP!! But it weighs a bit over 6600 Pounds!! PLUS the driver, and any passengers, and a couple of bikes in the back, and we are talking close to 4 TONS..!!! And 22x12 wheels with 305 tires on all four corners, must be close to 100 pounds each... So HP can be a "Big Deal" but it is the overall Package that matters.
great video; prior to watching, I wasn't really very interested in a hybrid. After hearing the Aaron explaining how the battery regen will work, this sounds like a real game changer for those whom will NEVER buy a quiet car (EV). Kudo's to GM for this design. Can't wait to see this technology used on a new smaller sports car or AWD regular cab sport truck
Would love to hear your thoughts about a comparison to new McLaren, similar horsepower but 600lbs plus lighter and $100,000 more. I am looking at both. If you can afford it, maybe Autura worth $100,000 more. I sold my Shelby 500 because of the weight issue, less satisfying than my GT 4, with 350 less HP. Love your insights, don’t tack anymore but still love to drive.
100% buying those Michelin All-Seasons when I get my Z06 hopefully later this year! Live in Colorado, so I'll daily it with them when it's not summer haha
In my opinion, Eray looks like ZO6 due to budget and pricing. The "grandsport" has always looked like the zo6 with subtle differences. The majority of chevys budget went into engine and drive train. The body was the limiting factor for the price point and budget they had. Corvette is a "stack them deep stack them cheap" type of vehicle. GM had to compromise somewhere for the C8...the looks were the compromise. The C8 is GMs bread and butter performance car; only do much they can do with it.. unlike porche, Ferrari, mclaren, etc with more than midengine/rear engine performance vehicle
if the electric motor stops providing power at 150 mph doesn't that mean it has the same top speed as the c8 stingray? or maybe slower because of the downforce and extra weight?
Agree on the weight, but consider the overall challenge. Dropped the C7 and put all the eggs on the C8 Chassis. 1st mistake maybe. A light weight Mid-engine AWD vehicle is Super Expensive and basically useless 80% of the time. I was shocked to see Curb weight approaching 4,000 as a Vette. Owned a 64 Vert 365 HP 3.73 gear and it was a rocket raw buck board scary at speed, rocket. Later 1998 C5 Coupe same gear Supercharged 525 HP was a daily driver beast. Faster and safer for sure. The 2007 Z06 one of my favs BUT the rear end Would step out so quietly you could get in trouble real fast. Then the C7 Z51 Fast, Stable Safe, Excellent long range road trip car. Still have it. Now the C8 stubby nose, biggest complaint. does not feel right, too much car left out back. Balanced and pulls but we are driving a front bumper like sitting on the tip of an arrow. Just uncomfortable. I am surprised to hear wanting for distinct differences in appearance and dash candy. The E Ray is an Automotive Engineering Wonderment. there were so many variables to balance and trade off. The effort, thought and diligence, yes it is a fits-all. And that means not everything in optimized. Its not a race car, grocery getter, Jeep or cruiser yet is can do all of those things at a high level. That is phenomenally hard to achieve. I tip my Hat to all the GM Chevy engineering team for making in My opinion a 98% perfect Corvette for 2024. My 64 was so cool. I slept in it the first night. 60 years later, yeap, I would sleep in my E Ray if I can get one. I had my 64 and drove up to Chicago for thanksgiving. Positrac is nice but 4 or 5 inches of snow and my little 64 was riding on top of the snow slipping and sliding. Now I doubt anyone would drive either car in those conditions. But daily versatility out weights 100% Race/Track capability for this model. I would have thought Hub Wheel Motors would have been Lighter, but the Carbon Ceramic Brake Discs to muddy the waters. I think you are too reserved in the appreciation of the engineering task and the successful achievement of these goals in the E-Ray. Now as soon as the 1st ones goes up to Connecticut for a Supercharger install that WILL make your day. 750 HP E Ray would be very hard to slap down. And the Zora has yet to show its face too. I honestly think AWD is a game changer and Hybrid is the best way to get there, cost and weight wize. So Congrats to GM, Chevy, Vette Engineering. Give them a bonus! I just may get in line and trade my 2014 Z51 for a nice low optioned E-Ray 2LT in all white paint. Thank You for sharing, Dennis
I’m not super excited about this car but I’m relieved to find out that it’s a hybrid and not a fully electric car. With that level of acceleration and AWD it could be the ultimate road going Corvette while the Z06/7 is the overall king because it can also kick butt on the track. But this one is just a street car. Kind of like the Teslas make excellent around-town cars… as long as it isn’t too hot or cold outside… and you don’t store or charge them in your garage lest the batteries spontaneously combust… and as long as you still have a gas powered vehicle for longer trips…
I agree, Austin! The E-Ray, while definitely looking like an outstanding car, is gonna be a porker for sure. At nearly, or at 4,000lbs, while it may hang with a Z06/Z07, I can’t see it being as fast nor put down as quick of lap times as a Z07. But, that’s also not what the E-Ray was designed to do; it’s the most grand touring Corvette ever built, and is a lot more “plush” than the Z06 or even Stingray. It not having the FE7 suspension is further proof of that. I see the E-Ray as what the Turbo S is to Porsche, or what the Roma is to Ferrari, where as the Z06 is the Porsche GT3, or Ferrari 458 Speciale/Pista. Or, if we want to use another GM product as a comparison: The E-Ray is a ZL1, the triple threat, Swiss Army knife that has a wide range of performance capability. Where as the Z06 is a ZL1 1LE: cars that were designed and built from the ground up for serious track work, to set lap times and hot laps, and to be track weapons. The E-Ray is gonna be an amazing car, and I think will make most other hybrid super cars outside of those that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars look silly in comparison… But it’s gonna be portly!
I think the huge weight increase of the E-Ray and never really knowing just how much power you have to work with and for how long will prevent this car from being a serious track weapon. Hard to beat as a GT driver though…. I also have an issue with its name but that’s probably just me. Great video Austin. Looking forward to your compare / contrast deep dive comparison with the Z06!
I agree. I think Eray sounds retarded. A name that should be reserved for a full EV. That said I'm not sure what other option there was. Z06 sounds way cooler than Eray
I think the importance that weight plays in this platform will apply mostly to the future most powerful models. For example the rumored Zora with a twin turbo flat-plane crank hybrid setup. You’d definitely need that extra weight to keep those wheels to the ground.
I like the E-ray overall. I am NOT a fan of the body color match paint on everything, however. Can this be ordered or set up differently to include some carbon metallic black?
With the batteries in the center tunnel, the front-to-rear weight balance remains unchanged as the batteries get lighter when the electons are used up. 😉
I actually kinda like it. If they got the power delivery right, it should remind me of how the '17 NSX I owned drove. I do wish it had a more aggressive looking rear spoiler though. The fake electric sound is a no go for me and I hope it can be turned off.
Hi i am in the C7 camp it makes me proud to see GM do this with the C8 i know they can do this better and cheaper then anyone else my fear is that the corvette price is getting out of reach of the average Amercan to buy they ain’t CHAEP!!!!!!
Wow! Rally guys on the engineering team!The Corvette doesn’t look anything like a rally car. Is that in the future? If so, it will need to be raised with much more suspension travel.
It's fantastic. I think you sort of wish people couldn't have the same look as Z06, with all the comfort and flexibility of the E-Ray. Potentially higher performance, because that LT2 will have more headroom for modification than the Z06 engine, and a lot of expertise and parts available to do it. But they don't want to design two different bodies. It's stealth!
dude Aaron was awesome, informed, and overall was extremely impressive in his presentation of the corvette!
I always love listening to this Engineer from GM being a nerd myself. I have seen his other video clips in the GM videos. He always gives highly technical explanation (he really knows this car inside and out) while still remaining rooted in the racing enthusiasm. Being an engineer myself, I love those detailed explanations
I agree. GM obviously knows this and puts him in front of the camera from time to time. Guy is awesome
@@jeremy_c9163 Yeah, he understands racing really well, but he is their top engineer. GM does hire the best and brightest for the Corvette.
@@2ZZGE100 If GM actually hired the best and brightest GM would be building Tesla's.
I agree the glass roof would be Great on the HTC... but it may be simply because of the weight of the Glass, rather than Carbon Fiber...
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp That is your own opinion. If Teslas were that great, interior would not feel like a $30K rental car. Ranked near the bottom in terms of quality and also resale. They are like a dime a dozen here for sale used in my city. Great 0-60 mph car, but it is like a toaster with 4 wheels.
Austin, you're blowing it away with the Corvette coverage! Keep up the good work
I am a PROUD GM employee and I am absolutely thrilled with the new E-Ray. My sister has an NSX, so I've driven a similar high-performance hybrid vehicle but the E-Ray's performance is absolutely insane by comparison. So proud of my company for developing such a great vehicle that takes advantage of our V8 and new electric technology! Can't wait to own one someday!
Thanks Austin! Good info. I added my name to an Eray list today.
The c8 platform is quite impressive. This integration with the V8 and electric is awesome and has no compromise of usability. On my radar for sure.
I love spirited driving, but I'm not going to be tracking. This is my favorite Corvette so far. Looking forward to seeing more of the new blue :)
So not the purpose of this version.
Austin,
Amazing job with your interview, video, and content man! Aaron always impresses during your interviews too...ha ha ha!
I'm loving the E-Ray and it's wide range of things it does well!
Looking forward to seeing if I can get on an early list at MSRP!
Be well
-Shane
When I first heard about the E-Ray I was super excited. Now I’m not so certain. The MSRP is much higher than everyone thought. Most folks expected $85-90K. I currently own a 2022 C8 and would trade up. Now GM may have priced me, and others, out of the market. Still I’m first on the list with my dealer to get their first allocation. Time will tell. Cheers!
Albeit more expensive if you ask me, it's more dependent on what you are wanting. This E-Ray is more of a grand tour alternative to the Z06. Relatively the same acceleration just without the sound of the high-revving V8 and track-oriented driving dynamics. The E-Ray will be more frugal than either the Z06 or the base engine. It's been confirmed that the E-Ray will not come with a gas guzzler tax. I'm not entirely sure about the tires, beings that it's the widest factory all season in the world. So replacing the tires might get expensive beings that most tire manufacturers probably don't even have all seasons that wide. But it does come standard with carbon ceramics which will last longer not only because of the material but because of regenerative braking as well. Hell if you are a track guy and can get used to the regenerative braking. You might not have to go through brakes like crazy. For me, I go to the track every so often. But not enough to justify getting the Z06 with the Z07.
@99 Zulu Carbon Ceramics are awful for track use. The heat causes them to lose lifespan very very quickly. It's meant for people who use these sports cars as pure grocery getters or commuters, with occasional spirited driving
Life is short! If it's the car you want, go for it!
I disagree. This car is a bargain for what it is and compared to similar cars
@@ludda42 It appears you missed the whole point of the comments. Cheers!
Watched several "youtubers" videos on the ERay. Most are surface level. I knew yours would be the most informative and offer the best insight when comparing it to the z06. Great video, yet again. Best true C8 content of anyone.
Heard the sound of the electric and N/A motor together on other videos and I think it sounds pretty darn good. Way better than I thought it would
E-Ray = Much better street/every day car. Z06 = Slightly better track car, and a more exotic experience because of the engine and exhaust note. BOTH incredible machines.
I think the AWD/ all weather aspect is a big selling point and a game changer for those who live in the Northeast. AWD is one of th big reasons I bought my current BMW M240i x-drive, Before that, I had a Mustang and 350Z and I always had to worry about anything more than a dusting of snow, Now I don't have to to even think about that at all unless we have a real blizzard. It also makes launching super easy in rainy conditions too. On the track, you might notice the added weight, sure, but on the street, I doubt it would make any real difference. I also really like the the body colored accents on this car. Makes it seem like a more flowing design and really looks mazing with the wider Z06 style body. Z06 engine plus the electric AWD power would be next level. Can't wait to see what they do with engine/turbos(?) + electric combos in the ZR1 and Zora. This car for all year use and the Z06 for track and warm summer days would be a great garage to have indeed!
all wheel drive dont mean crap in the winter as long as you have no snow tires on it and an idiot behind the wheel, i have driven rear wheel drive
all my life and never had a problem because i used common sense which a lot of persons dont have today, just watch the videos dealing with
idiot drivers and it become very obvious i have seen so many four wheel drive vehicles piled up all over the place because most think they are
bullet proof and they are notl
The all-weathers are good, but what about dedicated snow tires? Do they come in gigantic?
It would be nice to see a body structure change on this model. I agree! I think make it look like the car on the transformer movie. It’s more suitable in my opinion.
I think it a great car for the Corvette masses, street and country road drivers. I love it, I want it, I can't afford it. Well done Chevy team. I am waiting to see if there is a Grand Sport and ZR1 are coming in the next years. Hell, soon we will be looking at what a C9 version will be.
Austin the C8 E-ray is a amazing Corvette!! It's making me want to trade in my present C8 Corvette! Chevrolet has a winner here I think Austin 👍
The new E-Ray is a beautiful car! I'd want a Z06 for more track but would love this for all around GT driving. Great, informative video!!
The ERay is a world beater, with that new AWD capability. There are now cars 2-3 time MORE expensive that won't stand a chance against this beast on Zee Nuremburg, Laguna Seca, or any other road coarse.
BBOO'YAAHHH!!!
Nice review Austin and great walk round. Best utube yet video on the cut-away car. Yes, I like this car, and for people living in snow country regions of the US the all wheel drive should be very tempting. Heck, I have an all wheel drive SUV living here in SoCal and like the added security with all the rain we have been having. It will be interesting to see what it can do on the track, but I am betting at Laguna Seca it will have similar lap times to the Z06.
I think isolating the two drive systems is a great idea, very creative way to go about the design, and that blue is growing on me, thanks for bringing us this informative video!
One thing I'm still hoping becomes an option, is the glass room TOGETHER with the convertable. Over winter, I still want to see the sky (Canada here, and I'm not going to drop that top in winter!).
The weight of a glass roof is bad news on a sports car. I can see the allure, but for a performance machine? 🤷♂️
@@codywillis9882 what's the material in the regular manually removable roof? Plexiglass? I don't care the material as long as the sky shows through clearly 😋. I can't say I looked into weight difference in the roof options that currently exist.
Why not drop the top in the winter? I bought a 1967 Firebird convertible from the original owner, who owned the car in New York. Sometimes the top on this car would be down for five years or more. He simply would lean the passenger seat forward, turn the heater up, dress warm and enjoy the ride. As long as the roads were dry, of course, and in the winter that happens often, even with snow on the ground.
Austin, I was "tracking" with what you said regarding performance on the race track vs. the Swiss Army Knife. Lighter the better. Weight to horsepower. Getting around the track in the least amount of time. Will be interesting if/when you get a chance to drive this new electric version compared to your Z06. Another great informational video!
Austin, great video as always. I personally believe the days of C5, C6 Z06 weights are over. With all the safety requirements, creature comforts, tech and the push for electric, I really don't see the Corvette seeing a sub 3400 car again. It is why cars such as Mclaren and some Porsches carry that high cost. Reducing weight comes at a price out of the reach of most Corvette buyers. The next time you have a GM engineer around, maybe you can ask them the possibility of a lower curb weight car, especially since you track yours.
Great review. Leaning towards Eray still rather than Z06 as it will be a daily driver. Thank you.
i love it. The AWD aspect is very fun. The ERay is only 300lbs more than the Z06 is what i read
to be fair, the Z06 was already a pretty hefty car, but I'm glad they squeezed out more performance without major weight issues, just hope higher trim cars have some weight reduction to compensate for the added weight
Great questions to ask! Ask the right questions and get the right answers! Good feed back and thoughts really helps to get a good understanding of the new EV Stingray. Great video!
I know it's subtle but the body color front panel and the rear vent being body color as well really really change the look for me. I don't really like the Z06 but I love this car.
I don't think the weight matters so much. If someone is buying it FOR tracking, I think they've gotten confused. It's marketed to do "all" well, and I'm sure it will. What aftermarket people are going to do with it is going to be a curious thing to watch! Who knows what performance they may force out of this version!
It's a do everything car. Something you can use to drive 4 hours to a weekend track destination, drive it at the track, and then drive home. All with perfect comfort and maximum fun
It's actually a better track car than you think remember the weight is low and instant grip
Love the color. Love the body colored exterior pieces, love the wheels. Best looking C8 yet.
Speed Phenom Awesome Video I think it's awesome that you got to get a full walk through at the All New C8 ERay and I think it's absolutey incredible and I definitely agree that I can't be as fast as a ZO6 on track because of all of the extra weight
It'll be much faster because of the electric motor out of turns and the better turning through turns.
Nice job SP! Very good commentary.
Seen a lot of hate on this car because people think it's an EV, so for those who still have doubts, let me try to answer a few FAQs
1. The E-Ray is a hybrid with the same v8 as the stingray, no downsizing or EV yet
2. The AWD should not affect the top speed nor the ability to oversteer and throw the car around, as the engine still puts 100% power to the rear, not split to the front.
3. t's not a plug in, it's a performance hybrid powered off the engine
4. It's not the tier above the Z06, and it's not competing with the Z06 it's priced slightly below it and has a different purpose (likely grand sport replacement) so don't be disappointed at the slightly less horsepower, there is more to come.
5. Yeah it'll probably be a pain to maintain, at least the battery has a lot of buffer so it shouldn't be a major concern for a few years.
Anyway, all of that is in the video itself, but a lot of people seem to see E-Ray and go right for the comments
America needs this car like it needs a hole in its head! In the big picture it is totally irrelevant - and why GM will not be around much longer.
Aaron is a great representative for the company.
Very good review, with the AWD it makes it more practical for real world living. Thanks for sharing.
All-wheel drive in a conventional ICE application would add a couple hundred pounds also. Would need to substitute some carbon fiber pieces on the chassis to counter the weight increase. Expensive. C/D did test the NSX Type S and said, "The Type S handles like it's at least 300 pounds lighter than its 3898-pound curb weight would suggest." So it should be interesting to see driving impressions when folks get to test the E-Ray.
I would love to know if the eray can run on ICE only.
Also, Austin did you shake Aaron’s hand left-handed or is the gilm flipped?
I'm keeping my Z06 "order" (deposit/waiting list at this point), but I will make the E-Ray my daily driver as soon as I can (to replace Stingray). More livable day-to-day, same wide body, almost as much power, more torque, better grip, better gas mileage. Only downside for me is that I like the center exhaust better on the Z06.
I can't wait to see the Zora with the hybrid electric power and the TT ZR1 engine, should be insane!
Great review I’m more comfortable with a Hybrid then complete EV. I’ve been driving a company assigned 2020 Ford Escape for several years with absolutely zero issues, obviously this is a whole different animal so it’s going to remain a wait and see for me for the next couple years. I have my C8 2023 Anniversary and love it❤
Great video and i think the car is awesome. In spite of what this car is, i still have a hard time thinking of a $103k base price as "affordable". Guess it's all about perspective here.
Awesome job Austin
Thanks for sharing
I am still in Z06 camp lol
The E-Ray is awesome.... But for a greying midlifer, my base C8 HTC is all the GT car I need. Its my ticket to ride !!!!!
I need that swap and sodium battery,in fiero trunk.Wheres kilmer?
It’s the best daily grand tour ever from Chevrolet and maybe any american brand IMO. I for one love this car as a bridge to keep the need of the V8 and add the AWD. I’m sure a quad motor all electric AWD will end up as a ZR1 some day and might be the fastest corvette ever
Sounds like the engineers thought of everyone and addressed it all. Surprised me this had the same additional cooling as the Z06. I'm not aware the Stingray had any cooling issues. I wasn't expecting this till end of next year. Sounds like it may be available late this year. I like it, and I'm betting many who were anti hybrid will be easing up on that stance.
Was waiting for your opinion! Thanks Austin
The more I see the E Ray the more I like it. My first sports car was the 22 C8 HTC. I’m on a list for a Z06, but not likely to see one for more than 2 years. Frankly, I think the E Ray is more in line with my style. I’m not going to track the car, but I do like the wide body styling that matches the Z06. I live in the Northeast, so I can’t really drive it in bad weather. The AWD of the E Ray really does change things. I also like the added technology. I guess I will have to decide whether the car is worth the added money over my Stingray.
Excellent review and commentary. Only additional thought is that there HAS to be a trade off to have a super car for at least half the price.
I just bought the C8 zo6 and that is so fun to drive but I bet the E-ray is probably funer
I think we are still going to get a proper Grand Sport model. Also it would be nice to get a light weight track model of the GS if possible.
This one excites me more than the z06. Eray with z06 suspenion swap will make a great daily/weekend track car
Not a big fan of the E Ray,I did enjoy the video from a technical aspect. Everything was very well explain. Great content keep up the good work.
This video was very well done. The camera work was as good as it gets.
Austin you asked amazing questions
Great video going into such detail of the inner workings of the car.
Great extended interview
So nice to see body color side boomerang thing. That black bothered me way too much; also great to see it doesn't have the giant black 'square' parts under the light as the Stingray has - very glad it's rear breathing parts are smaller looking, as with the Z06.
Agreed
Sooo I’m assuming the ZR1 or Zora or whatever Chevy will call it, is gonna have the the zo6 body style/tires/ break. Eray’s all wheel drive and hybrid system plus some twin turbos to put us around 770 hp and 615 tq
Hopefully it’s not literally the same exact body style as the Z06, and is wildly different in comparison like the C7 ZR1 was to the Z06. Or else, you really wouldn’t be able to tell a Z06, E-Ray, or ZR1 apart on the street unless you just KNEW or were really looking closely.
I’ve seen some video of guys getting test rides and it looks pretty sick having the front wheels pulling around corners!
Not a real problem personally , but it's a bit of a struggle to chose between the two ( e ray and z 06) as a street car . Especially if you live where there is snow and you are going to use it as a car and not strictly a toy .
With ultimate performance the same and the e ray a better street stoplight warrior it's really the sound and feel that is different . I really would struggle to chose .
I like the body match and disagree with it needing more difference . You will know what you are looking at and hearing .
Adding lightness would be great . But as mentioned this is a corvette not a real exotic even if they cost almost as much with covid tax and dealer rape .
The dealer rape will be brutal on this.wait till you see the “ bump stickers.” or” limited availability” sticker.
Great video as usual. I got on an E-Ray list last year in anticipation of an AWD Vette with more 'E' than 'P' (probably in the minority on this). Given that Chevy elected to basically match the Z06 performance with the addition of an electric motor in the front and the use of the Z06 body, I am disappointed. Now you add in the E-Ray's $104K base price and I am probably out of the running for an E-Ray. At this point, I would rather see Chevy release a C8 GS for those of us that want the wide body, but do not need 655 hp or the electric hardware. Besides, there is a HUGE price gap between the ST and the E-Ray/Z06 that should be filled by a GS model.
It's easy to distinguish between an E-ray and a Z06. The front fascia of the e-ray is more complex and clunky than the Z06. The rear fascia has different louvers for heat venting, and they are body color rather than black. And the rear exhausts are completely different.
You can now get body colored accents on the Z06 I think with the 3LZ trim,so it can get confused with one another.i know because I was on the configurator on a Z06 and you can option it.but it does beg the question,Chevy was watching where Ferrari and McLaren were going and logically went on to fill the void they left.
I can tell you a either a wise and or enthusiast product manager was instrumental in this move because that's what I would have done
Thanks Austin & Aaron (Team Corvette) I'm EXCITED FOR CORVETTES NEW ERAY, Ill Buy One,
But How Long will this be, before I can get one???
I Love the AWD Corvette!!!!!!!
PS Hey , GM I need An invitation , I've been driving Corvettes since 1975.... JB
Great questions and interview with Aaron. He's always a great interview as is Tadge. Was he also on-hand?
I Strongly Agree with your final statements... Curb weight, and balanced weight With the driver and passenger, makes a big difference... "Who has the most HP?" is a very common question... but "Pounds per HP" is a better question... My Ram Pickup truck has a little over 500 HP!! But it weighs a bit over 6600 Pounds!! PLUS the driver, and any passengers, and a couple of bikes in the back, and we are talking close to 4 TONS..!!! And 22x12 wheels with 305 tires on all four corners, must be close to 100 pounds each... So HP can be a "Big Deal" but it is the overall Package that matters.
It's a lot more like the z06 than I thought after hearing him describe it. It would be amazing to see what this would be like with the z06 engine
that's the zr1
@@kamikazi5144 with a couple snails aswell I heard
Austin ask him when an average consumer will see a car, hopefully it will drive down mark up on Z06
That little electric motor has the same power as I had in my entire 2.4 litre, 2000 Oldsmobile Alero :)
Love the direction Chevy going with the Corvette.What's next with the ZR1.Can't wait.
Austin, what will turn the lap quicker? This or the Zed?
great video; prior to watching, I wasn't really very interested in a hybrid. After hearing the Aaron explaining how the battery regen will work, this sounds like a real game changer for those whom will NEVER buy a quiet car (EV). Kudo's to GM for this design. Can't wait to see this technology used on a new smaller sports car or AWD regular cab sport truck
Great info, Austin! Please weigh the CF wheels the next time you swap tires. Inquiring minds want to know!
Would love to hear your thoughts about a comparison to new McLaren, similar horsepower but 600lbs plus lighter and $100,000 more. I am looking at both. If you can afford it, maybe Autura worth $100,000 more. I sold my Shelby 500 because of the weight issue, less satisfying than my GT 4, with 350 less HP. Love your insights, don’t tack anymore but still love to drive.
Now that is a bad ass car. Great video indeed!!
Chevy should have planted the 670hp FlatPlane Crank 5.5L in the E-Ray for a combined output of 830hp...
100% buying those Michelin All-Seasons when I get my Z06 hopefully later this year!
Live in Colorado, so I'll daily it with them when it's not summer haha
In my opinion, Eray looks like ZO6 due to budget and pricing. The "grandsport" has always looked like the zo6 with subtle differences. The majority of chevys budget went into engine and drive train. The body was the limiting factor for the price point and budget they had. Corvette is a "stack them deep stack them cheap" type of vehicle. GM had to compromise somewhere for the C8...the looks were the compromise. The C8 is GMs bread and butter performance car; only do much they can do with it.. unlike porche, Ferrari, mclaren, etc with more than midengine/rear engine performance vehicle
I'm taking my name off a Z06 wait list and I'll go with this new E-Ray!
if the electric motor stops providing power at 150 mph
doesn't that mean it has the same top speed as the c8 stingray? or maybe slower because of the downforce and extra weight?
I’m number 10 on the list at my dealer. Super excited!!!
Agree on the weight, but consider the overall challenge. Dropped the C7 and put all the eggs on the C8 Chassis. 1st mistake maybe. A light weight Mid-engine AWD vehicle is Super Expensive and basically useless 80% of the time. I was shocked to see Curb weight approaching 4,000 as a Vette. Owned a 64 Vert 365 HP 3.73 gear and it was a rocket raw buck board scary at speed, rocket. Later 1998 C5 Coupe same gear Supercharged 525 HP was a daily driver beast. Faster and safer for sure. The 2007 Z06 one of my favs BUT the rear end Would step out so quietly you could get in trouble real fast. Then the C7 Z51 Fast, Stable Safe, Excellent long range road trip car. Still have it. Now the C8 stubby nose, biggest complaint. does not feel right, too much car left out back. Balanced and pulls but we are driving a front bumper like sitting on the tip of an arrow. Just uncomfortable. I am surprised to hear wanting for distinct differences in appearance and dash candy. The E Ray is an Automotive Engineering Wonderment. there were so many variables to balance and trade off. The effort, thought and diligence, yes it is a fits-all. And that means not everything in optimized. Its not a race car, grocery getter, Jeep or cruiser yet is can do all of those things at a high level. That is phenomenally hard to achieve. I tip my Hat to all the GM Chevy engineering team for making in My opinion a 98% perfect Corvette for 2024. My 64 was so cool. I slept in it the first night. 60 years later, yeap, I would sleep in my E Ray if I can get one. I had my 64 and drove up to Chicago for thanksgiving. Positrac is nice but 4 or 5 inches of snow and my little 64 was riding on top of the snow slipping and sliding. Now I doubt anyone would drive either car in those conditions. But daily versatility out weights 100% Race/Track capability for this model. I would have thought Hub Wheel Motors would have been Lighter, but the Carbon Ceramic Brake Discs to muddy the waters. I think you are too reserved in the appreciation of the engineering task and the successful achievement of these goals in the E-Ray. Now as soon as the 1st ones goes up to Connecticut for a Supercharger install that WILL make your day. 750 HP E Ray would be very hard to slap down. And the Zora has yet to show its face too. I honestly think AWD is a game changer and Hybrid is the best way to get there, cost and weight wize. So Congrats to GM, Chevy, Vette Engineering. Give them a bonus! I just may get in line and trade my 2014 Z51 for a nice low optioned E-Ray 2LT in all white paint. Thank You for sharing, Dennis
I believe Chevy did well with this Vette.
I’m not super excited about this car but I’m relieved to find out that it’s a hybrid and not a fully electric car. With that level of acceleration and AWD it could be the ultimate road going Corvette while the Z06/7 is the overall king because it can also kick butt on the track. But this one is just a street car. Kind of like the Teslas make excellent around-town cars… as long as it isn’t too hot or cold outside… and you don’t store or charge them in your garage lest the batteries spontaneously combust… and as long as you still have a gas powered vehicle for longer trips…
For an EV it looks good compared to a Tesla but I would rather have the mid engine Z06 any day of the week and twice on Sunday!!
I agree, Austin! The E-Ray, while definitely looking like an outstanding car, is gonna be a porker for sure. At nearly, or at 4,000lbs, while it may hang with a Z06/Z07, I can’t see it being as fast nor put down as quick of lap times as a Z07. But, that’s also not what the E-Ray was designed to do; it’s the most grand touring Corvette ever built, and is a lot more “plush” than the Z06 or even Stingray. It not having the FE7 suspension is further proof of that.
I see the E-Ray as what the Turbo S is to Porsche, or what the Roma is to Ferrari, where as the Z06 is the Porsche GT3, or Ferrari 458 Speciale/Pista. Or, if we want to use another GM product as a comparison: The E-Ray is a ZL1, the triple threat, Swiss Army knife that has a wide range of performance capability. Where as the Z06 is a ZL1 1LE: cars that were designed and built from the ground up for serious track work, to set lap times and hot laps, and to be track weapons.
The E-Ray is gonna be an amazing car, and I think will make most other hybrid super cars outside of those that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars look silly in comparison… But it’s gonna be portly!
E Ray wins the stoplight winternationals against ZO6 every time and that's why it exists....
How long to they project the batteries to last and what is the expense to change the batteries?
I think the huge weight increase of the E-Ray and never really knowing just how much power you have to work with and for how long will prevent this car from being a serious track weapon. Hard to beat as a GT driver though…. I also have an issue with its name but that’s probably just me. Great video Austin. Looking forward to your compare / contrast deep dive comparison with the Z06!
I agree. I think Eray sounds retarded. A name that should be reserved for a full EV. That said I'm not sure what other option there was. Z06 sounds way cooler than Eray
I think the importance that weight plays in this platform will apply mostly to the future most powerful models. For example the rumored Zora with a twin turbo flat-plane crank hybrid setup. You’d definitely need that extra weight to keep those wheels to the ground.
Suspensions keep the wheels on the ground.
I like the E-ray overall. I am NOT a fan of the body color match paint on everything, however. Can this be ordered or set up differently to include some carbon metallic black?
Glad that I am planning to buy a fully loaded Corvette E-Ray.
The zr1 will have the zo6 engine with electric motors all rear driven! No turbos to keep the natural sound of z06! Makes sense!
I like the Z06 but that Eray is sexy also! I like technology! I might go with the Eray.
With the batteries in the center tunnel, the front-to-rear weight balance remains unchanged as the batteries get lighter when the electons are used up.
😉
I actually kinda like it. If they got the power delivery right, it should remind me of how the '17 NSX I owned drove. I do wish it had a more aggressive looking rear spoiler though. The fake electric sound is a no go for me and I hope it can be turned off.
Hi i am in the C7 camp it makes me proud to see GM do this with the C8 i know they can do this better and cheaper then anyone else my fear is that the corvette price is getting out of reach of the average Amercan to buy they ain’t CHAEP!!!!!!
Great presentation and questions. Very informative. Love the color combination.
Thanks
Can’t wait for a twin turbo or supercharger on this thing 1000hp+!!!
Wow! Rally guys on the engineering team!The Corvette doesn’t look anything like a rally car. Is that in the future? If so, it will need to be raised with much more suspension travel.
It's fantastic. I think you sort of wish people couldn't have the same look as Z06, with all the comfort and flexibility of the E-Ray. Potentially higher performance, because that LT2 will have more headroom for modification than the Z06 engine, and a lot of expertise and parts available to do it. But they don't want to design two different bodies. It's stealth!