CarWow tests E-Ray (with Ollie Gavin)

[Chevrolet]

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Well can't argue with his conclusion that the Stingray is the one to have

 

[CaptainK]

I was surprised by the apparent amount of electric motor noise. Like he said in the video - I want more V8 and less electric motor noise.

 

[Llewelyn]

Cool car, but I'd take the base model.... ! Electric side of things doesn't interest me and I don't like the noise, I am sure they are amazing though

 

[teamzr1]

Due to idiots that walk across the street without looking get their asses run over

All EV/Hybrid models are required by law to make some sound, so pedestrians can hear them when in Stealth mode.
So the sound is electronic and piped outside a speaker when ICE is off in front of Eray and
also sent to speakers inside when at WOT

Front outside speaker

 

[Roscobbc]

The comparison test Video (shown on this forum a couple of weeks ago) between the E Ray and the McLaren didn't seem to be an issue in the Vette cabin re.excess 'electrical noise' ?

 

[teamzr1]

Vehicles today by most namplates have a white noise generator that counteracts certain frequencies into the cabin area
Of course, the health of a person's hearing will depend on what they hear or not, like or dislike in C8 sounds

Also as to E-Ray & ZR1X models, C8 Owner's manual :

Pedestrian Safety Signal (E-Ray and ZR1X Only)

The vehicle is equipped with automatic sound generation.
The automatic sound is generated to indicate the vehicle presence to pedestrians.
The sound changes if the vehicle will be speeding up or slowing down.
It is activated when the vehicle is driving or shifted into a forward gear, N (Neutral), or R (Reverse), up to driving
speeds of 25 km/h (15 mph) or 35 km/h (22 mph), depending on region of sale.

Also, driver can set the NPP exhaust system as what the sound level will be
Engine Sound Management Setting
Caution
Do not place the vehicle in Engine Sound Management – Stealth mode.
Damage could result to exhaust valve actuators.

Engine Sounds: Stealth, Tour, Sport, Track
Caution
Stealth engine sound selection restricts exhaust flow and as a result acceleration can be delayed for spirited driving.
This is particularly true for heavy acceleration maneuvers in Engine/Shift selections of Sport or Track.
Using a stealth engine sound setting during spirited driving will cause the exhaust system to overheat and damage the
variable exhaust valves.
Do not use this setting when auto-crossing or driving on high speed tracks.
If available, engine sound settings change when the variable exhaust valves open.

 

[Invetterate]

Cool car, but I'd take the base model.... ! Electric side of things doesn't interest me and I don't like the noise, I am sure they are amazing though

Understand where you are coming from, but the electric boost is stunning and puts the E-Ray in a different performance league to the Stingray. My everyday car is quite quick on ICE, but adding electric power and torque to the other axle [about 50% more in my case] is amazing not least because you get 100% torque instantly!

 

[Invetterate]

Well can't argue with his conclusion that the Stingray is the one to have

Only because of the price difference, I feel Stuart - the premium is hard to accept over here but US tests show the E-Ray staying with the Z06 much of the time and is a better road car, not least by not requiring 5000+ rpm to really go. I have written a short example which will appear in the December Vette News. Is it me or are the Car Wow videos becoming more annoying generally? Watson was trotting out the usual anti-Corvette comments and, of course, came down against the E-Ray. My favourite bit was Ollie G saying on camera that he had told Watson to warm the tyres with the brakes and then watched him ignore the advise and marked him 4/10 for drifting!!

 

[Invetterate]

Due to idiots that walk across the street without looking get their asses run over

All EV/Hybrid models are required by law to make some sound, so pedestrians can hear them when in Stealth mode.
So the sound is electronic and piped outside a speaker when ICE is off in front of Eray and
also sent to speakers inside when at WOT

Front outside speaker

View attachment 32083

Think this piece of hi-tech might be overcome with a pair of wire cutters which would be a shame!!

 

[Chevrolet]

Well I'm "luuvvin" the E-Ray! I think its a fantastic car, there's nothing about it I dislike. I'll have a black Coupe please, with black wheels and red calipers and seat belts. My only prob is that I don't have £160/£170k to spend on a "weekend toy".

My only question/reservation about having one would be the width of car? It is like the C8 Z06 a wide car, but probably no wider than many other "supercars"? I wouldn't be taking it to the supermarket, but do wonder whether the width of the car might spoil the driving enjoyment? Depends on where and when you are gonna be driving it of course?

 

[CaptainK]

Think this piece of hi-tech might be overcome with a pair of wire cutters which would be a shame!!

I was just looking at the white connector plug and thinking "I wonder what would happened if that came loose and lost connection with the speaker....."

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Only because of the price difference, I feel Stuart - the premium is hard to accept over here but US tests show the E-Ray staying with the Z06 much of the time and is a better road car, not least by not requiring 5000+ rpm to really go. I have written a short example which will appear in the December Vette News. Is it me or are the Car Wow videos becoming more annoying generally? Watson was trotting out the usual anti-Corvette comments and, of course, came down against the E-Ray. My favourite bit was Ollie G saying on camera that he had told Watson to warm the tyres with the brakes and then watched him ignore the advise and marked him 4/10 for drifting!!

Thanks to Arnold Clark and their very generous loan program I have driven all three variants of the C8 and firstly I didn't hear the reported E Ray 'electrical' noise but it was a coupe and I didn't take the roof panel off and I did give the 6.2 some clog. It is seriously quick and planted. I've had their demo ZO6 twice now for a week each time and yes it's very different to my Stingray and thrilling in short bursts at as you say Mark, 5k or higher but 90% or greater of my driving is at normal restricted road limits where for me the Stingray wins hands down being much more civilised. I will though say that in both the E Ray & ZO6 I didn't feel the need to do any personal settings as I have done in the Stingray which would of course make the My Mode setting more suited to my day-to-day driving.

I had it out last week attending Chris Sales funeral in Shropshire and as I was heading to the Cotswolds for the weekend the day after I wasn't going to drive home so I probably did 400+ miles including a diversion to inspect a 1963 for someone in Oxford and it was an absolute pleasure the entire time.

I had reason to speak with Dan at AC Altrincham today (the seller of the C2 wants a C8 having sat in mine yesterday) and they are selling with 3 x ZO6's and a 2026 E Ray sold in the last few weeks. One of the ZO6's which was all I asked about was brand new so not a demo car sold for £170k all in so down £30k+ on the original price.

 

[CaptainK]

Thanks to Arnold Clark and their very generous loan program

Is that something open to everyone? Or open only to current C8 model owners in an attempt to get them to buy a newer / higher variant C8?

I guess it must be everyone so you can try before you buy. But that sounds really good that you have driven all versions.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Is that something open to everyone? Or open only to current C8 model owners in an attempt to get them to buy a newer / higher variant C8?

I guess it must be everyone so you can try before you buy. But that sounds really good that you have driven all versions.

Open to anyone and a few of our regions non C8 owning members have loaned one for a long weekend. They put you on their insurance and there's no costs incurred.

We have our club Christmas party this Sunday and they've offered me the demo ZO6 again for the 140 mile round trip but I'll probably pass given the road conditions.