The Corvette E-Ray Is No Longer Available, But Grand Sport X Continues Its Legacy.
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After just a few brief years, we can officially say goodbye to the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, as it will no longer exist for the 2027 model year. Farewell to the hybrid Corvette, right? Well, not exactly. While the E-Ray nameplate may be gone, its essence continues in a faster, more powerful, and more capable electrified supercar: The Grand Sport X.
The formula for the Grand Sport X is straightforward: take the E-Ray, substitute its LT2 V8 with GM’s new LS6, and replace the front axle's electric motor with a more robust unit from the ZR1X. This combination produces a 721-horsepower beast that leans more toward the Corvette’s sporty nature compared to the E-Ray it succeeds.
In contrast, the E-Ray was more of a grand tourer. While it can be tracked (and according to instructors at the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School at Spring Mountain, more people do this than you might expect), that wasn't its primary purpose. The Grand Sport X, however, not only enhances performance driving but actively encourages it.
The Grand Sport X's power increase comes from the more potent 535-hp LS6 V8 and the stronger (186 hp) electric drive unit installed at the front axle, with the ZR1X's battery transferred as well. Chevy's engineers have also adjusted the E-Ray’s battery management system to make electrification feel more beneficial on the track—again incorporating some techniques from the ZR1X.
Its three battery modes offer drivers greater flexibility in using (or conserving) battery power. “Endurance” mode saves battery for later; “Push-to-Pass” allows for a rapid deplete of the battery for a quick power surge; and “Qualifying” mode dispenses that additional boost more gradually—providing less peak power but allowing it to be utilized over the course of a fast lap.
If those enhancements aren’t enough to attract performance enthusiasts away from the gasoline-only Grand Sport, Chevy has additional offerings. The X can be equipped with the same upgrades available on the standard Grand Sport, including carbon ceramic brakes. The base touring suspension will come with all-season tires (after all, it features all-wheel drive); the performance package will include summer tires, specifically Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.
Chevy has yet to announce the pricing for the 2027 Corvette Grand Sport X (or the rest of the ’27 Corvette lineup); we anticipate more details in the forthcoming months.
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The Corvette E-Ray Is No Longer Available, But Grand Sport X Continues Its Legacy.
The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray was short-lived, lasting just three years, but its existence has paved the way for an even more alluring hybrid supercar.