Following an abundance of rumor and conjecture (plus a bit of trying to wring the grapevine for news), top brass at General Motors have confirmed an electrified Corvette will prowl the streets and tracks of America as soon as next year. Even more interesting? An all-electric Corvette, based on The General’s new Ultium EV architecture, will also show up in due course.
Word of the electrified Chevy supercar initially dropped during a CNBC interview with Mark Reuss, president of General Motors. He told the channel’s morning crew that the company plans to launch an electrified version (read: gasoline-powered plus one or more electric motors) of the Corvette in 2023, followed by a fully electric version later. A teaser video, shown below, puts a prototype electrified ‘Vette on full display; telltale signs include bright green brake calipers and the car’s ability to spit loose surface debris from its front tires. The latter all but confirms the presence of all-wheel drive, a change which will surely enrage jorts-wearing purists but likely pump Corvette’s already stellar performance numbers into the stratosphere.
More details then surfaced on Reuss’ social media account on LinkedIn – a platform which is a bastion of breaking Corvette news, apparently:
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 coming, 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 to come at a later date.
The march towards electrification may be alarming for some of us gearheads who enjoy the raucous rumble of a V8 engine, but the fact remains
In addition, GM also announced an energy recovery system for their Ultium Platform. According to the eggheads, it is a patented onboard system that takes heat generated by EV batteries and uses it to warm the cabin. Not a bad trick. But the real benefit will likely come from its ability to create more efficient charging conditions and increase vehicle acceleration. Creating favorable charging environments will allow the battery pack to juice itself more quickly, reducing the amount of time needed to loiter at a charging station. Better acceleration, on the other hand, needs no explanation. Comfy batteries also tend to manage their power reserves more efficiently, so GM is estimating a 10 percent range bump with this system.
[Image: GM]
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