Corvette E-Ray arrives in Australia

GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has released the Corvette range for 2025, which includes the familiar Stingray in 2LT and 3LT trim, as well as the performance Z06. The new addition to the Australian range for 2025 is the E-Ray, which breaks new ground for Corvette, being the first with a hybrid drivetrain and all-wheel drive.

Combining the familiar 6.2-litre V8 engine driving the rear wheels with an electric motor propelling the front wheels, the E-Ray is technically a hybrid, but in this application, the electric motor is all about optimising grip for better cornering and providing even faster acceleration, rather than improving fuel efficiency.

“The Corvette is a true icon of the performance car world and now that story is entering a new era with the arrival of our first ever electrified supercar, the Corvette E-Ray,” said Jess Bala, Managing Director General Motors Australia and New Zealand.

“With the surety of all-wheel drive, E-Ray isn’t only the quickest Corvette yet, it’s the ultimate all-weather, all-condition supercar.

“The E-Ray’s arrival means we now have a Corvette to suit every driver. From the ultimate everyday performance car in the Corvette Stingray, to the focused, track-honed Z06 and the best of both worlds in the all-weather, precision Corvette E-Ray, the new Corvette model range offers levels of performance, versatility, and value that are truly unmatched.”

Corvette E-Rays for the Australian market will only be offered in coupe form and ‘3LZ’ spec, which is equivalent to 3LT trim in the Stingray. Aside from the electric motor and related battery pack, much is carried over from the Stingray and/or Z06, including the engine, transmission and technical features. Styling is almost identical, too, although the E-Ray does come with its own identifying badges and minor detail differences.

Combined Power

To the 369kW/637Nm mid-mounted V8 that’s shared with the Stingray, the E-Ray’s electric motor adds an additional 119kW and 169Nm, for total combined output of 488kW and 806Nm. The eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is the same as the Stingray and Z06, but presumably recalibrated to suit the hybrid drivetrain. Paddle shifters are standard, along with selectable automatic or manual gear changing.

Top speed for the E-Ray hasn’t been provided, but 0-100km/h time is listed at 2.9 seconds. This is better than the Stingray and even outperforms the Z06 by 0.1 seconds.

Specs for the electric motor haven’t been revealed, but it’s said to be of the permanent magnet type, while the battery is a 1.9kWh lithium-ion unit that’s positioned between the seats. The battery is recharged regeneratively when the E-Ray is coasting or braking.

The ‘eAWD’ all-wheel drive that the hybrid system provides adjusts to suit the type of driving and road conditions – intervening where necessary to provide additional grip or acceleration.

Shouty or Stealthy

The six selectable driving modes from the Stingray – Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, MyMode and Z-Mode – carry across to the E-Ray, but there’s an additional ‘Stealth’ mode. This starts and runs the car purely on the electric motor, but only lasts for between four and six kilometres before the V8 kicks in. Accelerate above 72km/h in this mode and the V8 takes over, too.

Carbon ceramic brakes are standard, in 398mm front and 391mm rear size (significantly larger than the 345mm front and 350mm rear discs on the Stingray), with Brembo calipers to suit - six pistons up front and four at the rear.

Alloy wheels in 20x10-inch front and 21x13-inch rear feature a design that’s exclusive to the E-Ray. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres for these wheels are part of a ‘ZER Performance Package’ that also includes an adjustable spoiler wicker (a more practical alternative to a full rear wing) and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension that’s three-stage adjustable.

A Bit of Z06, A Lot of Options

Externally, the E-Ray has the same wider proportions as the Corvette Z06, but adds its own badging and exterior accents. Seven colour options that carry over from the 2024 Corvette Stingray include Red Mist, Torch Red, Rapid Blue, Riptide Blue, Seawolf Grey, Arctic White and Black. New colours for 2025 include Hysteria Purple metallic, Sebring Orange tintcoat and Competition Yellow tintcoat.

Buyers can mix or match their paint with a choice of six different wheel options and seven interior colours. ‘GT2’ seats (as per the Stingray 3LT) are fitted as standard, with Competition seats optional. Other options include transparent and carbon fibre roof panels, engine appearance packages and black exhaust tips.

Tech and Comfort Inside

In the cabin of the E-Ray, there’s 8-way power adjustable seats trimmed in leather, with heating, ventilation and memory function. The carbon and leather-wrapped steering wheel is also heated, with power tilt/tele function. Leather trim also features on the instrument panel and door cards, with suede microfibre for the pillars and headliner.

Driver assistance and safety tech includes front and side airbags, a rear vision camera with park assist, rear cross traffic alert, side blind zone alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert with low-speed AEB, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator and an auto-dimming rear camera mirror. To these, which are standard across the MY25 Corvette range, the E-Ray adds a front camera, plus an exclusive ‘performance app’ that delivers key vehicle data to the driver, including insights into how the hybrid system is operating.

Comfort and convenience features include an 8-inch central infotainment touchscreen, configurable 12-inch instrument display, colour head-up display, a performance data recorder, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system.

Australian Pricing

Local rollout of the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette range began in October, with the all-new E-Ray joining the Stingray coupe and convertible and Z06 coupe in GMSV dealerships.

E-Ray list pricing of $275,000 is almost $100K more than the Stingray 2LT coupe’s $182,000 starting price. The Stingray 3LT coupe lists for $197,000, while Stingray 2LT and 3LT convertibles start at $199,500 and $214,500, respectively. The Z06 remains the most expensive MY25 Corvette offering at $336,000.