Chevrolet has been an American institution for over a century, producing famous models like the Impala, Camaro and Silverado. The Corvette stands out as Chevy’s sports car, popular among collectors since the first generation in the 1950s.
The Corvette has changed through the years, but the next generation will be a turning point. Here’s a closer look at the next Corvette as it prepares for electrification and other developments.
Starting a New Brand
Corvette has been under the Chevrolet umbrella as its halo vehicle since 1953. When you think of Chevy’s premiere cars, the fleur-de-lis logo with the checkered flag and the Chevrolet bowtie likely come to mind. The next chapter will include Corvette becoming a subbrand.
In late 2022, reports surfaced that Chevrolet would turn Corvette into a standalone brand in 2025. Accompanying the launch will be a line of EVs. The brand will include more than just the famous sports car — you may also see a crossover in the mix.
Transitioning to Hybrids
The next generation of Corvettes will look different than the generations before it, starting with the 2024 Corvette E-Ray. This model has a gas- and battery-powered engine. It’s not the first fully electric Corvette — that may come later. However, the Corvette E-Ray signifies a transition to the next generation of environmentally friendly sports cars.
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray has an electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) system and an LT2 V-8 engine. It packs a punch with a zero-to-60 time of 2.5 seconds, backed by 655 combined horsepower. The LT2 engine produces 495 horsepower, with the e-AWD system adding the other 160. The powerful engine partly comes from the 470 pounds per foot of torque.
Shifting to Electric
The transition to EVs is coming quickly. Market research predicts 2023 will bring $457 billion in revenue with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17%. By 2027, EV revenue will nearly double to $858 billion. Whispers of a fully electric Corvette have arisen, so when would it happen if it does?
Many automakers are setting goals to lower their carbon footprint. General Motors has emphasized its goal of zero emissions, leading many to believe an electric Corvette is coming. In January 2021, GM announced plans to switch almost exclusively to EVs by 2035 and become carbon neutral with operations by 2040.
In April 2022, Chevrolet confirmed in a tweet that a fully electric Corvette would soon follow the E-Ray, which uses a hybrid powertrain. Chevy isn’t the only automaker switching its sports cars to EVs. Ferrari announced it would release electric models in 2025, and Porsche has already unveiled EVs like the Taycan.
Driving in Stealth Mode
You may imagine loud and proud vehicles when you think of sports cars. These machines offer some of the most powerful street-legal engines. However, the Corvette E-Ray provides the opposite approach with stealth mode.
One feature of EVs is their quietness. The battery-powered engines make little noise, so they’re ideal for driving at night and early morning without waking the neighbors. The 2024 Corvette E-Ray has a stealth mode, which Chevy says allows the driver to quietly travel short distances at reduced speeds by using the electric power in the front axles. Expect more of the same from the fully electric Corvette when it arrives.
The quietness is welcome in the neighborhood, but it can be a problem. Hearing a car alerts pedestrians and animals to stay away from the incoming vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has tried to mitigate this problem by requiring EVs to emit a sound when driving under 19 mph. The 2024 E-Ray and a fully electric Corvette will likely come with emulated sounds to comply with the rules.
Planning a Four-door Corvette
The switch to hybrids and later electric vehicles is a significant jump for Chevrolet and Corvette, but more changes will come. The Corvette has been a two-seater throughout its 70-year history. The two-door feature makes it easier for drivers to turn because they’re working with a shorter wheelbase. It also comes down to aesthetics. However, the next generation of Corvettes could have four doors.
When Corvette turns into a subbrand, one of the vehicles planned will be a four-door coupe. Reports signal that the four-door Corvette will look and drive similarly to the traditional two-door models. Unveiling a four-door vehicle allows Corvette to expand the brand to a broader audience.
Another expansion Corvette plans for is an SUV. Other sports car manufacturers have expanded into the crossover world because they’re suitable for families going on summer road trips or driving to soccer practice after school. For example, look at the Porsche Cayenne and Ferrari Purosangue. At home, Ford has spun off the Mustang with the Mach-E. The industry is shifting toward crossovers, and Corvette is heeding the call.
Incorporating Technology
The next generation of Corvettes will lean into EV technology, including features that enhance the user experience. One aspect that will help Corvette drivers is the command center, a screen to the right of the dashboard.
The 2024 Corvette allows drivers to use the E-Ray app. Performance is crucial for sports car owners. The command center will enable them to see any metric, like rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (FWD) power. They’ll also be able to see stats concerning the battery power and their driving habits. The dashboard makes you feel like a Formula One driver with the presented data.
Corvettes Cruise Into the Future
The 2020s is a decade of change for the automotive industry. Numerous manufacturers are switching to EVs to satisfy environmental and consumer needs. Chevrolet and Corvette are using these changing times to pivot to the next generation.
Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief of Modded, where he writes about tech, auto trends and similar topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.
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