Are Hybrids The Way? – Muscle Car

By Dave Ashton

It was only a matter of time before Chevrolet would release news of electrifying one of their top-line models, the Camaro or the Corvette. The first offering in this department is an all-wheel-drive, electrified Corvette, named the E-Ray.

For a vehicle that has been going since 1953, the new Chevrolet Corvette has a lot to live up to and proven from the videos below, it’s surely heading that way. A 6.2L LT2 Small Block V8 provides 495 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque powering the rear, while an electric motor provides 160 HP and 125 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via a 1.9 kWh battery pack. The total power output is 655 HP. the current power figures equate to a 2.5-second 0-60 mph and a 10.5-second quarter-mile.

We will not have to wait long for the new Corvette to hit the roads as it should be due in 2024. But it also raises the question of if hybrid solutions are better than full electric powertrains. While fully electric vehicles seem to be the way everything is going, it also seems that the public is not currently fully convinced. Range anxiety still seems to be a thing, cold weather operations, and the infrastructure of frequent charging points as readily available as gas stations seem to be front of mind.

In terms of hybrids, at least you are hedging your bets with the option of using either liquid fuel or electrons. Dodge has decided to go fully electric with the next versions of their muscle cars. But with a fully electric solution, they know they have to produce a winning formula to convince existing muscle car fans.

It’s too early to speculate which solution will win out. But at the least, each manufacturer is trying their utmost to produce worthy, next-generation sports and muscle cars to hopefully please us all.

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