[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes First Laps on the Nurburgring

By
Keith Cornett
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[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes First Laps on the Nurburgring

Photo Credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien


“The boys are back in town!” is the email message I got yesterday afternoon from our spy photographer at the Nurburgring and today the prototype Corvette E-Rays made their first laps on the Nordschleife.

It’s been rumored that the Corvette Engineering team was headed back to the ‘Ring this summer, and it’s now confirmed they are testing both the E-Ray prototypes on the track while a group of uncamouflaged Z06s are running on the local roads in the area. This is the exact opposite of the team’s last visit to the Nurburgring, where the Z06s were tested on the track while the E-Rays drove the local roads.

[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes First Laps on the Nurburgring


Here is the report I received from Stefan Baldauf of SB-Medien who writes:

The team worked on the cars earlier this morning before they were allowed to enter the race track at 8 AM (European time). They did a couple of laps with each car and then went back into their technical center which is not far from the Nürburgring entrance. Two Corvettes did a small run before lunch and then there was a big break until late in the afternoon. At about 4 PM all Corvette E-Ray prototypes were on track again and did as much laps as possible before the Nürburgring closed at about 5:30 PM.

The three E-Ray prototypes are wearing large colored numbers on the sides, with the #7 and #4 cars captured in the photoset below. I mentioned that the spoiler on the E-Ray looks like it’s the same as the Z06’s LPO Visible Carbon Fiber Rear Deck Spoiler.

[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes First Laps on the Nurburgring

The #7 Corvette is wearing the Carbon Fiber wheels and the #4 Corvette has the Z06’s spider forged wheels. It doesn’t look like either of the cars has the carbon ceramic J57 brakes, and instead we see a shot of the #7s brake rotors which appear to have a drilled pattern showing. That would be a first for the C8 Corvette. The cars also have corner-mounted Stingray-style exhaust ports, and the rear hatch glass has been covered to hide the LT2 engine. One last point is that the number 4 Corvette prototype also appears to have a set of ports on the driver-side front fender with red and black caps.

The E-Ray Corvette is expected to be Chevy’s first foray into electrified power for its halo model. The car will be powered by a combination of its 495-hp LT2 V8 engine and the Ultium drive motor(s) on the front axles. The E-Ray is expected as a 2024 model that will debut sometime next year.

Check out these spy photos and tell us if you see anything interesting!

[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring
[SPIED] The Hybrid AWD C8 Corvette E-Ray Takes to the Nurburgring


Source:
Photos by S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Related:
The Corvette Z06 and E-Ray Prototypes are Testing at the Nurburgring This Week
[SPIED] Camouflaged E-Ray/Z06 Sighted Near GM’s Yuma Proving Ground
[VIDEO] GM President Mark Reuss Says Electrified C8 Corvette Coming As Early as Next Year

 



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10 COMMENTS

  3. These are all on the way to the track, not inside. The #7 has an optional larger splitter in front while the #4 does not.

  5. My guess is 750-800. It’s using the 495 hp 2-valve…so maybe 250-300 hp from the motors?

  6. Sweet! Another Corvette nobody can buy for the next decade unless you own a GM dealership or got in line in for it in 1995. Tell me more!

  7. Jim+1. It is now quite obvious that the ZO6, E-Ray, and future Zoraida will be out of reach for mere Corvette enthusiasts. Chevrolet needs to change Corvette’s slogan to “The sports car for America’s wealthy.”

  9. Last week I saw a z06 on i80, it had outboard exhaust but no exhaust tips.. I assume it was European emissions testing

  10. Expect the E-ray’s total horsepower rating to be around 595hp so as not to encroach on the Z06’s much pricier 670hp & cannibalizing those higher profit sales. The E-ray will still be slightly quicker off the line due to the high torque boost from electric assist & all 4-wheels putting power to the ground.

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