Chevy Corvette E-Ray images leak

The hybrid version of the Chevrolet Corvette — the E-Ray — appears to be on the near horizon.

Images of the sports car used on a Chevrolet configurator were published prematurely this week. They were discovered by CorvetteBlogger.com and later picked up by outlets including Car and Driver. The configurator for the new Corvette E-Ray briefly appeared online before going dark, CorvetteBlogger.com reported, confirming the long-rumored name.

GM has owned a trademark for the E-Ray badge for nearly a decade, and renewed it in 2020.

The hybrid appears to be based on the Corvette C8 platform and features styling similar to the Z06, with a few notable exceptions. The front end has been reworked with larger, more sculpted air intakes.

The lower rear quarter panel is emblazoned with an E-Ray badge.
 

The E-Ray also features exhaust pipes mounted in the rear corners rather than the center-oriented tailpipes on the Z06, the latest Corvette.

The size of the electric motors and the number of electric motors cannot be determined by the images posted on CorvetteBlogger.com.

Media reports have speculated that the E-Ray could offer all-wheel drive, with Chevrolet's LT2 6.2-liter V-8 engine in the rear and an electric motor at the front wheels.

That combination could deliver additional horsepower than the 490 to 495 hp the current Corvette Stingray delivers.

Images show a "Regen on Demand" button, mounted on the lower left side of the console, a hint that the E-Ray will feature regenerative braking.

"Looks like the holidays came early for a few astute Corvette fans," Chevrolet, which usually declines to comment on future product releases, said in a statement Friday. "Stay tuned for more."

Photos from the configurator show the E-Ray logo, while small print indicates the vehicle will be available in summer 2023. Automotive News has reported that the Corvette hybrid should launch late next year and be built alongside gasoline-powered versions at General Motors' Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.

In April, GM President Mark Reuss confirmed in an interview with CNBC that Chevrolet would debut an "electrified" Corvette next year, to be followed by a "fully electric" version.

In November, Reuss reiterated at GM's investor day in New York that an "electrified C8 Corvette" will be arriving in 2023. "This is the next springboard for the C8 platform," he said, "so we're very, very excited about this."