Chevrolet's first electrified Corvette, the E-Ray, has made its debut. Soon, the Corvette Zora is set to launch with a high-powered hybrid powertrain, but the big question is: Will the Corvette ever go fully electric? According to Chevrolet, this will only happen if there is a genuine need.
In an interview with CBS News, Corvette's new Chief Engineer, Tony Roma, stated that an electric Corvette would only be viable if it enhanced the vehicle's performance or if customers specifically requested it. Currently, neither of these conditions seems to be met.
"We discuss this frequently. I talk about this with enthusiasts, my friends, and other engineers," Roma said. "We won’t apply electrification just for the sake of it. We don’t add technology for technology’s sake; it has to prove its worth. It must improve the car in a way that resonates with our customers."
CEO Mary Barra echoed this sentiment, telling CBS News: "We’ll be guided by consumer demand, but our current plans will lead us there." Despite the decline in enthusiasm for electric vehicles, Chevrolet aims to have a fully electric lineup by 2035, which would likely include a battery-powered Corvette—though that’s still over a decade away.
While a fully electric Corvette isn’t imminent, the high-powered Zora hybrid is expected to arrive as early as next year. Spy photos and videos have captured the new hybrid Corvette Zora undergoing testing at the Nurburgring. The prototypes were seen with yellow high-voltage stickers, a requirement for battery-powered vehicles at the 'Ring, and design elements reminiscent of the E-Ray. If all goes well, the Zora could boast over 1,200 horsepower.
