Chevy just released the sort of car BMW fans have been begging for since the BMW i8 died off. The all-new Corvette E-Ray is a 655 horsepower all-wheel drive hybrid supercar, something that BMW should have in its lineup.
Countless BMW fans were annoyed when they learned that the i8 would die without a successor. The BMW i8 was easily one of the coolest cars to ever wear a Roundel. Was it the fastest, the sportiest, or most impressive performance car of its time? Not even close. However, it was spectacular looking and utterly unique, which made fans hope for a second generation, with more power and improved handling. Unfortunately, BMW never gave the world a second-gen i8, so if fans want that sort of car they’re going to have to get it from Chevy.
The new Corvette E-Ray is going to be a performance monster when it finally hits the road. The mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 is the same as it is in the standard Corvette Stingray, with 495 horsepower. However, it also has a front-mounted electric motor that powers the front wheels with 160 horsepower. Combined, it makes 655 horsepower and can rocket to 60 mph in a claimed 2.5 seconds and hit the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds. And usually automakers underrate their performance specs, so there’s a chance the E-Ray could be among the quickest production cars on the planet.
Admittedly, it isn’t much of a hybrid. Its 1.9 kWh only allows it to run about three miles on EV power alone. Instead, the Corvette E-Ray’s electric motor is really just to increase performance and make it all-wheel drive. Efficiency and electrification are really just added bonuses.
However, the E-Ray is the sort of car BMW fans envisioned for the future when the i8 was first revealed, something with a great engine and an electric motor to make gobs of power and performance. That sort of powertrain combined with i8-style looks would be an incredibly exciting combination. Instead, the only performance hybrid BMW fans get is a three-ton SUV that was seemingly designed with an Etch a Sketch.
There’s also rumored to be a fully-electric Corvette on the way, so let’s…
