The Corvette E-Ray is among the final vehicles that should feature auto stop/start, and yet it does.

      Adam Ismail

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      Opinions on auto-start/stop features in modern vehicles are widespread, and the topic has surprisingly become politicized. I find it odd because this feature is largely optional now, and there's nothing inherently political about saving money while also improving air quality. However, I can't say I adore the feature or believe it belongs in every car. My experience with it in the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, which I’ve been driving recently, made me chuckle and shake my head.

      There is a practical rationale for equipping the E-Ray with auto-start/stop: the 6.2-liter V8 consumes a significant amount of fuel, and the E-Ray isn't like a plug-in hybrid with a large battery capable of providing a decent electric range. While it can travel a few miles using electricity alone, fuel is injected into the cylinders most of the time. Interestingly, the E-Ray is one of only two C8 models that feature this technology, the other being the powerful ZR1X.

      The problem with a Corvette using this feature lies in the loudness of the engine, and starting it creates a vibration in the car that I find enjoyable but don’t need to experience repeatedly at every stoplight. I love the LT2's growl resonating close to my back, but usually, a car's sound is appreciated mostly by its driver. Sitting still and hearing the V8 repeatedly go quiet and then roar back to life—especially as the weather warms up and the engine restarts to send cool air into the cabin—almost feels like a public disturbance. It seems unnecessary.

      General Motors

      The effectiveness of auto-start/stop technology has improved so much that when it operates correctly in a well-insulated vehicle, you barely notice it. This feature is desirable in a luxurious vehicle that offers smooth, quiet rides, such as the Land Rover I drove just before the E-Ray. In that car, you feel like you're gliding over the road, capable of 80 mph while hardly noticing any movement—exactly the opposite of what a mid-engine V8 supercar is meant to deliver.

      Another issue with GM's implementation of this feature in the E-Ray is that it’s difficult to justify auto-start/stop in cars that don’t allow you to disable it permanently. The E-Ray has six drive modes, but even if you disable auto-start/stop in your personalized “My Mode,” it reactivates the next time you start the car.

      You can set My Mode for extreme comfort, though it’s not particularly comfortable in this vehicle, but it won’t remember your preference for auto-start/stop.

      At least the toggle is conveniently located on the left-side touch control panel, so you might find yourself using it before each drive. This aspect may be a dealbreaker for some, but I’d argue that those individuals would miss out on an exceptional machine for one minor inconvenience. Yes, it shouldn’t function this way, but I assure you: given everything else the E-Ray offers, it’s a small annoyance I’m willing to overlook. That said, I do hope GM reconsiders this setup for next year's more robust hybrid Vette, the Grand Sport.

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