C8 Chevrolet Corvette could get electrification – report

The first Corvette to go mid-engined after 67 years will also likely feature electrified powertrains in the not-too-distant future, Autocar has reported. This move could also include a fully electric version, though mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are naturally higher up the likelihood ranks.

“You would not look stupid if you said that,” a Corvette project member said in response to the suggestion of a battery-based starter motor mild hybrid, or a small motor to comprise an all-wheel-drive layout. The company is committed to a ‘0-0-0’ strategy of zero emissions, zero crashes and zero congestion, said General Motors president Mark Reuss.

“All of the technology rolling into this vehicle is meant to support that. This platform can carry a lot of different things into the future for General Motors,” Reuss said in response to queries for future electrified Corvettes. Is a fully-electric version of the company’s famous sports car badge in the works? “We’ll see. Stay tuned,” Reuss said.

Reuss also confirmed that the C8 Corvette will be made for right-hand-drive markets, compared to its predecessors which were predominantly for the US market. For starters, the C8-generation Corvette was launched in naturally aspirated, 6.2 litre V8 guise, producing 495 hp and 637 Nm of torque.

This is transmitted to the rear axle via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, featuring a short first ratio for quick launches and closely spaced intermediate ratios for acceleration. The outcome is a 0-97 km/h time of under three seconds with the Z51 Performance Package. Exciting times, when such figures come from a base model, and more potent versions are certainly in the works.

GALLERY: C8 Chevrolet Corvette

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