GM to launch electrified Corvette in ‘23

GENERAL MOTORS president Mark Reuss has confirmed that deliveries of electrified versions of the Chevrolet Corvette will commence next year.

Importantly, the “electrified” description suggests the model will initially feature a hybridised petrol and all-wheel-drive configuration – both firsts for the model – with a battery-electric version (based on GM’s proprietary Ultium architecture and likely to be named E-Ray) to follow later.

“We are ramping up the (EV) launches right now. Our Ultium platforms are going to be our strength, and our pipeline is fully loaded. Here we come,” Mr Reuss to CNBC reporter Phil LeBeau.

Taking to Twitter shortly after the interview, Mr Reuss said, “Some time ago, we moved the Corvette team into the EV space in Warren, Michigan, and when we revealed the new mid-engine Corvette, I said there would be ‘more to come’.

“This morning I sat down with Phil LeBeau of CNBC and finally answered the question I’ve been asked countless times.

“Yes, in addition to the amazing new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and other gas-powered variants, we will offer an electrified and a fully electric, Ultium-based Corvette in the future.

“In fact, we will offer an electrified Corvette as early as next year. Details and names (will be released) at a later date.”

Some pundits believe the all-electric Corvette will outperform the current Z06 flagship, meaning outputs of more than 550kW and 624Nm are possible, while others speculate that the pure-electric Corvette may appear as a C9 generation – underpinned with a reconfigured version of GM’s Ultium underpinnings.

The good news for sports-car fans is that the Corvette E-Ray is expected to retain its two-seat coupe and convertible body-styles, and not follow Ford’s Mustang Mach-E down the crossover/SUV path; although just how GM will package its large-vehicle Ultium battery pack into the smaller Corvette package remains to be seen.

General Motors has so far released Ultium-based EVs such as the Chevrolet Bolt, GMC Hummer pick-up and BrightDrop EV410 and EV600 vans, plus the Cadillac Lyriq. It plans to release battery-electric GMC Hummer SUV and Sierra pick-up, Chevrolet Silverado, Equinox and Blazer variants, as well as the flagship Cadillac Celestiq, in the near future.

GM aims to have an all-electric line-up by the middle of the next decade and to be carbon-neutral by 2040.