C8 E-Ray tested in this weeks Autocar (1/10/25)

I've got absolutely no interest in the pointless hybrid system but my main issue with the E-Ray is simply how hideously expensive it is... £175,000 as tested (!) which by my calculations is £100,000 more than the base C8 Stingray at launch... Madness...

Llewelyn said:

I've got absolutely no interest in the pointless hybrid system but my main issue with the E-Ray is simply how hideously expensive it is... £175,000 as tested (!) which by my calculations is £100,000 more than the base C8 Stingray at launch... Madness...

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A well designed 'self charging' hybrid system is a revelation to use and a joy to drive. I've historically had several as company cars. I'd say (reading the review) that GM's system, whilst perhaps adequate appears to be using older 'but proven' 10 year old technology.
The real masters relating to hybrid systems just has to be Toyota/Lexus. However that tech' using CVT based transmissions isn't really suitable for a 'sports' car.
As you say Llewellyn, the E Ray is ridiculous price........and I'll have to say that GM"s gradual transition with the C8 (and 'our' RHD cars) over to a significantly higher priced structure has taken away the opportunity for many people to consider purchasing a new Corvette and 'elevated' the marque where perhaps many of the current buyers would have alternatively and commfortably chosen one of the German brands.

Gets four and a half stars on AutoExpress:

Got to say I thoroughly enjoy mine. Coming from a stingray the difference in power is very noticeable. The main thing that convinced me to go for it was this video. Punching above its weight in a sence.


Price wise, it is an understandable debate to be had. Managed to get mine slightly used at a good price. Getting it new at the current asking price would have been a difficult choice, but then again after seeing what it could do vs some much higher price supercars, as per that link/video, I think it’s worth it. Especially if you add the uniqueness element. I think there are maybe 3 on the road currently.

Arheos said:

Price wise, it is an understandable debate to be had. Managed to get mine slightly used at a good price. Getting it new at the current asking price would have been a difficult choice, but then again after seeing what it could do vs some much higher price supercars, as per that link/video, I think it’s worth it. Especially if you add the uniqueness element. I think there are maybe 3 on the road currently.

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Lets have some photos of your car then? is it grey by any chance? There's certainly a black HTC and dark blue Coupe on the road. This is what C8 Z06 owners thought of "Brink of Speed's" (Mike Brink's) E-Ray. They were impressed:

Here are some very recent pics after some upgrades at PARTS USA near Stockport (mainly: exhaust, headers, cats, Z07 package type wing)

Cactus Green E Ray in Preston.

Arnold Clark loaned me a ZO6 twice and an E Ray once so I'm fortunate to have driven all three variants of the C8. The E Ray loan was at Corvettes at the Lakes so with the roads in the area being pretty tight and not very straight I didn't really get to see the best of it but by god it's brutally quick off the mark. I had the ZO6 twice for close on a week each time (AC hoped I would upgrade from my 3LT!) so I did get to stomp on that and when you get it up above 5k rpm is when it really comes alive in both speed and noise! So much that it encourages you to stomp on it every chance you get so a ban would be in short order for me as I'm on 6 points already (bloody low emission / entrapment zones on motorways) I will confess after getting back into my Stingray after the second loan of the ZO6 it seemed a little under whelming for a few minutes but that feeling soon passed and the Stingray came into its own again, plenty of power and a more sedate driving experience not the fire breathing ZO6 or E Ray that both think every road is a race track.

Got to agree with the majority that the cost of both is way too much and the reason why so few will be sold.

Arheos said:

Here are some very recent pics after some upgrades at PARTS USA near Stockport (mainly: exhaust, headers, cats, Z07 package type wing)

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Nice and a very apt plate! Can they do all the exhaust work without any codes showing?

I got my US size front plate mount from Parts USA

For those you don't mind the redneck view of the yet to be released 1063hp ZR1 on the track -

Mr. Cricket said:

Cactus Green E Ray in Preston.

Arnold Clark loaned me a ZO6 twice and an E Ray once so I'm fortunate to have driven all three variants of the C8. The E Ray loan was at Corvettes at the Lakes so with the roads in the area being pretty tight and not very straight I didn't really get to see the best of it but by god it's brutally quick off the mark. I had the ZO6 twice for close on a week each time (AC hoped I would upgrade from my 3LT!) so I did get to stomp on that and when you get it up above 5k rpm is when it really comes alive in both speed and noise! So much that it encourages you to stomp on it every chance you get so a ban would be in short order for me as I'm on 6 points already (bloody low emission / entrapment zones on motorways) I will confess after getting back into my Stingray after the second loan of the ZO6 it seemed a little under whelming for a few minutes but that feeling soon passed and the Stingray came into its own again, plenty of power and a more sedate driving experience not the fire breathing ZO6 or E Ray that both think every road is a race track.

Got to agree with the majority that the cost of both is way too much and the reason why so few will be sold.

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I could have gone for the Z06, however, there were a few personal preferences that prevented me.

For me, the sound experience is too ‘Ferrari’. Nothing wrong with Ferraris, I just don’t feel the engine and exhaust note is representative for a Corvette / American type of sports or muscle car or supercar (fun debate to listen to with regards to what C8s are ).

Anyway, PARTS USA helped me install a Borla ATAK exhaust that retains GPFs, AFE ceramic coated headers and Soul Performance sports cats. I picked those parts after extensive research and previous good experiences and now it sounds like this:


I need to do a before and after video, but yea, I know from when I did something similar to the C8 Stingray I had for 3 years before it that it definitely improved the volume and sound.

Thus, sound issue ‘resolved’ as such vs stock EU E-Ray / Stingray being quiet or quieter than Z06. Again for me I prefer the sort of rumble and tone of the LT2 for these cars specifically, but others may go for the Z06.

Another reason I went for the E-Ray is because of the driving habits. It is my daily so an AWD street car situation is preferable for UK roads and conditions in my experiences. Being able to push it at will at the right times without worrying too much about the weather. The Stealth mode option of going to local areas in total silence in the local areas for up to circa 8 miles is also funny and curious to use at times.

Being faster off the line than the Z06 is also something that attracted me. Would it do better on the track than the Z06? It holds its own, but no. I don’t track my car so not something I ‘d need to think about.

That sounds great

The only mod I'm doing to my C8 is the front plate mount I'm more of a NCRS type and I have other loud Corvettes that tick that box but I take interest in making the C8 sound more like a Corvette should

Mr. Cricket said:

Nice and a very apt plate! Can they do all the exhaust work without any codes showing?

I got my US size front plate mount from Parts USA

View attachment 31900

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So PARTS USA, do the parts upgrades and Wortec for the tuning. PARTS USA, can also tune, but not C8s at this current time. Something they are looking at depending on demand. They have the capability and experience, just not opted yet to have the appropriate HP Tuners set up required for C8s.

I got it in with Wortec, which removes any errors by focusing on extending the parameters from the sensors retained in the headers, cats and exhaust system whilst keeping it within regulations. Paul does have extensive experience on that.

In addition he adjusts the driving experience and respectively increases any gains to be had from these parts. So with some dyno results when I had the Stingray he increased the Torque by 50 and HP by 45 with Borla exhaust and AFE headers. Now with same parts plus Soul Performance sports cats on the E-Ray we are looking at a bit more on that so approximately 715HP in total with the front electric motor power added.

The thing is also that I definitely noticed is how he also opens up the throttle body to increase throttle response all together. Making it even less sluggish when you want to put your foot down, removes any remaining lag. That worked very well with the Stingray I had, even more with the E-Ray.

Also there some other benefits that can be tuned in, like additional burbles from the overruns. Currently C8s have burble on overrun on 1st and 2nd gear. Granted not as audible on stock exhausts, but after the upgrades I did you could definitely hear it. What Wortec does is extend it to the remaining gears as well. Paul can ensure it is at the right type of sound to avoid it being obnoxious. An example of how that sounds on my car is very very similar to this link, mine is a bit louder because of the sports cats.


About 2/3rds in the video you can hear how it works (after all the talking ).

I strongly recommend the tuning with Wortec as even in completely stock C8s there are gains to be had by increasing the HP and Torque plus things like the acceleration responsiveness and burbles on overruns. The gains and sound wouldn’t be as much if you keep stock parts, but there is definitely a better experience to be had.

Regarding the plate, I really like yours, just be worth quite a bit too I wager. As far as the way I mounted mine, I opted to place the original angled / flat front end part like they have in the US when they don’t have a plate then bought one of these: Superior Quality Reflective Vinyl Adhesive Number Plates, Printed ‘Unique Sub Surface’ for greater protection in plain digits only. <span style="color: #ff0000;">See our Video on HOW TO FIT your Vinyl Plate below. <br/><span style="color: #ff0000;"></span>

I didn’t remove the backing of the sticker so it’s thin enough to retain its shape and not be wavy but also angled to form well on the contour of the front bit. Just used strong think double sided 3M type tape instead.

Mr. Cricket said:

The only mod I'm doing to my C8 is the front plate mount I'm more of a NCRS type and I have other loud Corvettes that tick that box but I take interest in making the C8 sound more like a Corvette should

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I hear you, nothing can beat the more analogue / previous models in terms of raw soundtracks. I am thinking of getting a C3 at some point as well if I manage .

C3 is a good shout. I love my '71 LT-1 despite it not leaving the garage this year

Roscobbc said:

For those you don't mind the redneck view of the yet to be released 1063hp ZR1 on the track -

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It is an amazing beast for the money (in the US). Just my view, again, I prefer the sound of the LT2 for C8 Corvettes. So putting Procharger on the E-Ray might be my next move in a year or two to get some similar gains. Not convinced though as prefer keeping things NA at the back of it.

Getting a ZR1 LHD for me personally is cost prohibited at the moment even though there is a proper and proven path for them via Clive Sutton.

I am curious to see if GM will eventually bring them RHD for the UK market though, including the ZR1X, which I would be even more interested in

I like your style