---
title: "Chevy C8 Corvette Grand Sport Replaced With Hybrid ‘E-Ray’: Report"
description: "With an electric front axle, one report says to expect 600 hp and bodywork shared with the upcoming Z06."
date: "2020-10-08"
modified: "2020-10-08"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/36963/chevy-c8-corvette-grand-sport-replaced-with-hybrid-e-ray-report"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Chevrolet News"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Chevrolet"
  - "Corvette"
  - "hybrid"
  - "sports car"
---

# Chevy C8 Corvette Grand Sport Replaced With Hybrid ‘E-Ray’: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/10/2020-Chevrolet-Corvette-Stingray-247.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The Chevrolet Corvette's release strategy can typically be summed up with several variants: a base Stingray, a racier Grand Sport, a high-performance Z06 and a top-shelf ZR1. For the mid-engined C8 generation, however, it sounds like Chevy is shaking things up in regards to that second slot if a new report proves accurate.

According to "sources familiar with the matter" speaking to [*GM Authority*](<https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/10/c8-grand-sport-isnt-happening-e-ray-will-take-its-place-in-c8-corvette-lineup/>), the automaker is working on a [hybrid "E-Ray" variant](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32674/2021-chevrolet-corvette-c8-hybrid-spy-photos-is-this-the-awd-supercar-slayer>) of the Corvette in lieu of a Grand Sport. The Corvette E-Ray is said to boast the same 6.2-liter LT2 V8 found in the existing C8 Corvette albeit assisted by an all-electric front axle, eliminating the car's somewhat [problematic](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35551/chevy-recalls-2020-corvette-because-you-might-get-trapped-in-the-frunk>) front [trunk](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/34799/gm-on-c8-corvette-frunks-flying-open-this-is-actually-your-fault>) and becoming the first 'Vette to come with factory all-wheel-drive.

Obviously a play on the Stingray nameplate, "E-Ray" had already been trademarked by GM [once](<https://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/12/general-motors-files-trademark-applications-for-corvette-e-ray-e-ray/>) back in 2015 and [again](<https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/08/gm-files-to-trademark-e-ray-again-for-upcoming-corvette-c8-hybrid/>) earlier this summer. *GM Authority* speculates that the Corvette E-Ray will put out a total of 600 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque with help from a mid-mounted [Ultium](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/35187/heres-your-first-look-at-the-upcoming-gmc-hummer-electric-truck>) battery and, like the old Grand Sport that it succeeds, rock the same widebody design as the upcoming Z06.

When contacted by *The Drive*, a GM spokesperson declined to comment on the report.

For reference's sake, the regular Stingray C8 makes 495 hp and 470 pound-feet of torque. The [last-generation Grand Sport](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/4579/the-corvette-grand-sport-is-the-thinking-mans-vette>), meanwhile, carved a reputation as the sweet spot of the C7 range, coupling the base version's naturally aspirated, 460-horse V8 with much of the Z06's bodywork and running gear.

So, will an AWD hybrid Corvette be seen as a worthy successor to the GS or a tree-hugging heresy? We suspect the Corvette traditionalists will have some *interesting* thoughts about it initially but, as we saw with the Corvette's switch to mid-engined-dom, don't be surprised to see the complaints melt away once folks start [getting behind the wheel](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/36690/2020-chevrolet-corvette-daily-driven-review-an-exotic-you-can-race-comfortably-to-costco>).

*Got a tip about the alleged Corvette E-Ray? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)