The E-Ray marks Chevrolet’s first electrified Corvette, and soon, a Corvette Zora is set to debut, likely boasting a high-powered hybrid powertrain.
However, the lingering question is: Will the Corvette ever go fully electric? According to Chevrolet, that decision hinges on whether it’s truly necessary.
In an interview with *CBS News*, Corvette’s new Chief Engineer, Tony Roma, explained that a fully electric Corvette would only be pursued if it enhanced the car’s performance or if there was significant customer demand. As of now, neither seems to be the case.
“We talk about this a lot,” said Roma. “I discuss it with enthusiasts, friends, and other engineers. We’re not going to add electrification just for the sake of it.
We don’t implement technology just because it’s available—it needs to prove its value. It has to make the car better in a way that resonates with our customers.”
Chevrolet CEO Mary Barra echoed this sentiment, telling: “We’ll be guided by the consumer, but the plans we have will get us there.”
Even though excitement around EVs has slowed somewhat, Chevrolet remains committed to making its entire lineup fully electric by 2035, and that will almost certainly include a battery-powered Corvette.
However, that possibility is still more than a decade away. In the meantime, Corvette enthusiasts can look forward to the high-powered Zora hybrid, which could arrive as early as next year.
Recent spy photos and videos have shown the hybrid Corvette Zora being tested at the Nürburgring.
The prototypes spotted bore yellow high-voltage stickers, which are mandatory on the track for vehicles with batteries, and featured design cues similar to the E-Ray. If the rumors are accurate, the Zora could pack over 1,200 horsepower.