If you think a mid-engine Escort ship is a radical idea, Chevrolet wants you to sit in the bucket seat and fasten your six-point seat belt.
Overnight Chevrolet confirmed On Twitter: “An electrified Corvette will be available as early as next year and an all-electric version after that. Stay tuned for more.”
This happened not long after Mark Reuss, president of GM, told CNBC The automaker is working on an electrified version of the Corvette, but declined to say whether the model will have a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain.
An accompanying YouTube video (above) shows a prototype of the Corvette electrified during testing in the snow. Prolonged drift, as well as the front wheels spinning violently during launch, suggest that the EV or PHEV Corvette has an electric motor or motor, driving the front wheels.
There’s no word on how much power the electrified Corvette will have, but the powertrain will generate more than the 365kW/630Nm Stingray’s natural 6.2-litre V8, as well as the 500kW/624Nm generated by the engine. The naturally aspirated 5.5-liter engine of the Z06-aircraft V8.
In one posted on LinkedIn Reuss said GM is working on “other gas-powered variants” for the popular sports car.
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Z06
Reuss also noted electric corvette will be “Ultium-based”. It’s not clear if this means GM will fit its Ultium batteries into the current Corvette’s mid-engine architecture or the electric Corvette will use the automaker’s Ultium passenger car architecture.
So far only traditional sedans, such as Cadillac Celestiqand crossovers, like Chevrolet Equinox EV and Cadillac Lyriqhas been confirmed for the Ultium car platform.
Maybe this architecture could also fit a low-riding sports car, or it could prove that the rumors of a Corvette crossover are true.
The GM president concluded his post by announcing the new energy recovery system of the Ultium Platform, which can use heat from the battery pack to warm the cabin, improve charging, and increase acceleration and can extend the range up to 10%.
