New Chevrolet C8 Corvette Hybrid Allegedly Spied


Thread Starter #1

Nairrk

Honoured Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2016
Messages
14,663
Likes
5,276
Location
Payyanur/Kannur
Corvette C8 hybrid spied.jpg


A camouflaged C8 Corvette development mule has been spotted in the wild, fuelling speculation that Chevrolet is well under way with the creation of a hybrid version of the latest version of its iconic muscle car.

Corvette C8 hybrid spied-3.jpg


Now mid-engined in its latest ‘C8’ iteration, the current Corvette was revealed last summer and is beginning to hit the roads in its native United States.

Corvette C8 hybrid spied-7.jpg


It has long been speculated that General Motors - which plans to spend $20 billion on electrifying its various brands up until 2025 - has wrriten a plug-in hybrid version of the Corvette into that process.And these latest spy shots could be key evidence of such a move.

Corvette C8 hybrid spied-8.jpg


There are a couple of kill switches located on the vehicle’s bodywork, suggesting new powertrain developments lie beneath the metal, and this Corvette mule is undergoing emissions testing, again suggesting that it could be hiding a new, as-yet-unhomologated source of propulsion.

Corvette C8 hybrid spied-10.jpg


Rumours from American car news media suggest that Corvette is planning an expansive C8 Corvette line-up, with Gran Sport, Z06 and ZR1 variants of the car joining the basic coupe and convertible versions, all with different power outputs. The current car’s 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 lives an unstressed life at 495bhp and 637Nm torque, and a supercharged version of this engine will almost certainly be developed for higher performance models like the Z06.

Read:
 
Thread Starter #2

Nairrk

Honoured Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2016
Messages
14,663
Likes
5,276
Location
Payyanur/Kannur
New Chevrolet Corvette Hybrid set for 2023 debut

Corvette C8 hybrid.jpg

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the world’s most iconic car names and is synonymous with a naturally-aspirated V8 powertrain, but now the American firm is working towards a hybrid variant. We’ve caught the upcoming electric Corvette testing on German public roads.

Corvette C8 hybrid-2.jpg
The latest eighth-generation C8 Corvette has already caused plenty of controversy among Corvette enthusiasts due to its use of a mid-engined platform, where the American muscle car has been front-engined throughout its life. These latest spy shots show us the hybrid version is well underway, just as well considering we first saw it testing over two years ago.

Corvette C8 hybrid-3.jpg

We’re expecting the new hybrid Corvette to gain a new moniker too. Chevrolet trademarked the name ‘E-Ray’ back in 2015, which would suit this new electrified model. With Chevrolet’s parent company General Motors planning to go all-electric by 2035, the E-Ray name could also be reserved for a fully-electric Corvette.

Corvette C8 hybrid-6.jpg

Earlier this year, Mark Reuss made a statement on Linkedin about electrified Corvettes, saying, “we will offer an electrified and a fully electric, Ultium-based Corvette in the future. In fact, we will offer an electrified Corvette as early as next year. Details and names to come at a later date.”

The C8 Corvette was launched with a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 producing 495bhp and 637Nm torque and the upcoming Z06 model will use a 5.5-litre V8 with 670bhp and 624Nm of torque (which makes it the most powerful naturally-aspirated production engine in the world right now).

It’s unclear which engine the hybrid model will be paired with, but to avoid undermining the Z06’s position as the most powerful Corvette, the 6.2-litre V8 would be a better fit. As for the drivetrain, the hybrid system is likely to send power to the front axle only, creating the first all-wheel drive Corvette. A plug-in hybrid system is possible too, which could allow for electric-only range.

As for this spied prototype, enthusiasts should be reassured by the testing taking place at the Nurburgring, suggesting Chevrolet is still placing driver involvement as the number one priority. The front bumper looks to be a unique design for the hybrid and towards the rear we see the same quad-tailpipe set up as the Stingray model. The alloy wheels haven’t been seen on a Corvette model yet.

Judging by these images, we could see the hybrid Corvette going on sale shortly after it’s revealed next year.

Autoexpress
 

Top Bottom