Chevrolet’s exciting new Corvette E-Ray marks several important milestones for the marque, most notably the Corvette’s first application of hybrid technology and its first use of all-wheel-drive. It’s also expected to be the quickest Corvette ever with projected 0-60 acceleration in just 2.5 seconds. The E-Ray will be replacing the Gran Sport trim option in the Corvette lineup, with Chevrolet offering three trim levels for the E-Ray including the entry-level 1LZ, mid-range 2LZ, and top-line 3LZ.
The E-Ray will use Chevrolet’s 6.2-liter LT2 crossplane crankshaft V-8 producing 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft torque. The midship LT2 is augmented by a magnesium and carbon fiber-encased 160 horsepower electric motor mounted at the front, with energy supplied by a 1.9 kWh lithium-ion battery. The E-Ray’s combined 655 horsepower and 595 lb-ft torque is channeled through a Tremec eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. All this provides enough muscle to earn the E-Ray a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds at 130 mph.
Handling all this muscle is well-covered. Brembo Carbon-Ceramic brakes and Chevrolet’s Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 are standard equipment, along with staggered 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels employing wide, Z-rated all-season tires. Chevrolet also gives drivers plenty of options when it comes to applying the E-Ray’s lean and green power with six selectable driving modes. These include Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode, and Z-Mode.
Plenty of sustainable and eco-friendly functions are also built in. Active Fuel Management allows the LT2 V-8 to shut down half its cylinders during times of low power demand to conserve fuel. Drivers can select a Charge+ mode to maximize battery life when high performance is not needed. An E-Ray-specific Stealth Mode is also standard that enables driving silently on battery power up to 45 mph for limited distances, a welcome function for drivers and neighbors alike.
A Corvette is meant to look lean as well as quick, and the E-Ray is no exception. The E-Ray’s front end retains the C8 Corvette look, with a couple of unique styling cues. A body-colored grille surround is present around the wide-mouthed opening, along with a pair of large and functional air induction ports sitting beneath chiseled, aggressive headlights. The classic Fleur-De-Lis emblem, synonymous with the Corvette name since its introduction in 1953, is seen center stage.
At both sides of the E-Ray are a pair of imposing side scoops that guide air over the rear wheels to enhance better grip. These side scoops are outlined with a three-pronged, gloss black design that’s yet another styling cue unique to the E-Ray. Aggressive haunches sit atop both the front and rear wheels, a look that is ironically Corvette.
Looking rearward, those wide haunches slope back into the E-Rays slightly pointed rear end and impart a familiar and decidedly athletic look. A pair of functional air exit ports sitting above a quad-tailpipe exhaust system are surrounded by a large, race-inspired rear air diffuser finished in gloss black. Looking down through the rear window allows viewing the LT2 V-8 on full display.
Inside is an interior designed to completely immerse occupants in the driving experience. A squared, Formula 1-inspired carbon fiber steering wheel sits in front of the driver with an 8-inch infotainment screen angled directly towards the driver’s position. A 12-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the wheel displays the usual functions along with battery life and torque readings unique to the E-Ray. A large pillar angling downward from the dash features climate and seat warmer controls, among others. Twin stitching and tone-on-tone colors are used throughout the passenger space, along with carbon fiber-accented seatbacks. Chevrolet made sure to include a front trunk, or frunk, seen on regular C8 models as research indicated it was an important feature for prospective E-Ray buyers.
The E-Ray contains plenty of brains to go along with all its brawn. Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 Plus system is present, offering Bluetooth audio streaming and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
Chevrolet’s Corvette E-Ray is a very big deal for the performance automotive world. It is the first hybrid V-8 sports car made domestically for the consumer market, as well as the quickest Corvette ever produced. All eyes will be on the E-Ray, and time will tell if it can live up to the hype. Pricing starts at $104,295 for the 1LZ coupe version, with deliveries of the E-Ray expected to begin in late 2023.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E, a slick crossover SUV with a name harkening back to the marque’s performance-based Mustang Mach 1 that debuted some five decades back, presents a new twist in Mustang heritage. Unlike the Mach 1, there’s no rumbling 428 cubic-inch big block V-8 and no emissions…because there’s no tailpipe. That’s because the Mach-E is powered by an all-electric powertrain that provides zero-emission driving.
As a five-door crossover, The Mach-E is far afield from the two-door Mustang coupe it joins in the Ford lineup. But key Mustang influences throughout let us know this is indeed of Mustang lineage, even as Mach-E exhibits more futuristic DNA. Among its signature Mustang styling cues are a long hood, aggressive headlights, tri-bar taillights, and of course all the expected Mustang badging. What’s different is decidedly a departure from the familiar Mustang form, most notably a silhouette that blends elements of crossover and coupe design.
The Mach-E is available as Standard Range and Extended Range variants featuring differing battery capacities, with rear- or all-wheel drive. The Standard Range version uses a 75.7 kWh lithium-ion battery that’s expected to offer a 230 mile range in rear-wheel drive trim. Up to 300 miles will be delivered by the Extended Range version with its larger 98.8 kWh battery. A single permanent magnet motor is used on the rear axle of the rear-wheel drive Mach-E and one on each axle for all-wheel drive models. Performance specs for these Mach-E models range from 255 to 332 horsepower and 306 to 417 lb-ft torque.
A Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition slated for next summer raises performance levels with 459 horsepower and 612 lb-ft torque that should deliver 0 to 60 mph sprints in the mid-three second range. This performance model is equipped with a MagneRide Damping System, an adaptive suspension technology that enables the car to hug the road while delivering an exciting and comfortable ride
Batteries are located inside the underbody of the Mach-E between the axles. Liquid cooling optimizes performance in extreme weather. Positioning batteries outside the passenger and cargo areas allows ample room inside for five adults and 33.8 cubic feet of cargo, with capacity increasing to 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Mach-E buyers can opt for a 240 volt Ford Connected Charge Station for home charging. A 120-volt mobile charger included with the Mach-E conveniently plugs into a standard household outlet, but charges considerably slower. The Mach-E can handle 150 kW fast charging at public charge stations offering this capability.
Three Mach-E models are currently available to order – Select, Premium, and California Route 1 – priced at $42,895 to $49,800. The Mach-E GT coming later next year can be pre-ordered at an entry price of $60,500.
The SF90 Stradale represents many firsts for Ferrari. It’s the legendary automaker’s first plug-in hybrid electric model, the marque’s first all-wheel-drive supercar, and the most powerful Ferrari production car ever sold. The SF90 boasts the highest output ever for a Ferrari V-8 and, in fact, this is the first time a V-8 has powered a top-of-the-range Ferrari model. Not a replacement for LaFerrari, the SF90 Stradale's name celebrates the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team that harkens back to 1929.
The two-seat SF90 Stradale supercar combines the output of a rear-mounted, 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and three electric motors. A motor/generator between the engine and the transmission drives the rear wheels. Two motors at the front axle, which are not mechanically connected to the internal combustion driveline, drive each front wheel. This results in a sophisticated AWD system that Ferrari says is needed to handle the SF90 Stradale's tremendous horsepower.
The SF90 V-8 makes 769 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, while the three electric motors add 217 horsepower to bring a combined 986 horsepower and 590 lb-ft torque to this supercar. Since the electric motors provide instant torque from 0 rpm, Ferrari claims a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/hr) time of 2.5 seconds, with the car hitting 124 mph (200 km/hr) in 6.7 seconds. Top speed is 211 mph (340 km/hr).
Interestingly, the 8-speed automatic transmission has no reverse gear since the front motors handle backing up. The hybrid system also helps further improve Ferrari's renowned braking. The SF90 Stradale's brake-by-wire system allows braking torque to be split between the hydraulic system and the electric motors’ regenerative braking, boosting both performance and brake feel.
There are four drivetrain modes – eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify. In eDrive, the Stradale is powered solely by the two front motors, making it a front-wheel-drive EV. A 7.9 kWh lithium-ion battery provides an all-electric range of about 16 miles with a top speed of 84 mph, depending on road conditions and how quickly the car accelerates. Hybrid is the default mode when the car starts up. Here, all three electric motors and the gasoline engine work together to achieve optimum fuel efficiency and performance. In Performance mode, the V-8 is always providing power for great performance.
In Qualify mode, the V-8 and all three electric motors provide their peak output with no regard for fuel economy.
The new SF90 Stradale is relatively light even with its batteries and three motors. Curb weight is 3,527 pounds, a nod to lightweighting and other measures. For example, hollow castings replace conventional ribbed castings. Two new aluminum alloys are used including a high-strength 7000 series alloy for some of the body panels. Carbon fiber is used for the bulkhead separating the engine from the interior. The SF90 Stradale’s chassis features 20 percent increased bending stiffness and 40 percent higher torsional rigidity than previous platforms, without any increase in weight.
Adding to this Ferrari’s exceptional driving experience, the steering wheel allows controlling virtually every aspect of the SF90 Stradale without ever taking hands off the wheel.
Jaguar Land Rover plans to offer an optional electrified powertrain for every one of its models by 2020. The Range Rover P400e, along with the Range Rover Sport P400e, represent the brand's first plug-in electric hybrids. Most significant about the Range Rover P400e is that it’s the first hybrid 4WD vehicle from any automaker that can drive off-road solely on battery power in almost complete silence, and without any emissions. To accomplish this the P400e uses a 144 horsepower electric motor and dual clutches inside the automatic transmission, and an eight-speed ZF transmission with steering wheel paddles for manual control.
The gasoline engine in the P400e is Land Rover’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque. Combined engine and electric output is 398 horsepower. Supplying power to the electric motor is a 13.1 kWh lithium-ion battery located beneath the rear floor, necessitating the floor to be raised about 1 1/2 inches. The P400e can run on electric power for about 31 miles at speeds up to 85 mph. Range is reduced substantially in electric off-road mode.
The Range Rover received a mild makeover for 2019 with a longer hood, slimmer LED headlights, wider lower intakes, and black grille accents. Side accents and graphics were also revised, taillights are new, and a restyled rear bumper now integrates boxy exhaust exits. Only a small P400e badge on the tailgate indicates that electrification is at work beneath the skin. Its charge port is hidden behind a flap at the left of the grille. Illuminated strips on either side of the charge port allow a quick check of the battery's charge status.
Air suspension can raise ground clearance up to three inches and the PHEVs can ford 35.4 inches of water like other Range Rovers. With Low Traction Launch software, it can handle slippery surfaces like wet grass, loose gravel, and snow. On ideal surfaces, Land Rover is claiming a 0-60-mph time of 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 137 mph, impressive for vehicles weighing over 2 1/2 tons.
Range Rover’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system has two 10.0-inch HD displays stacked on top of one another in the center console. The top one is primarily for navigation functions, while the lower screen controls infotainment, car settings, climate control, and other features. An Interactive Driver Display indicates driving efficiency. In Control gives information about charging locations on the route traveled. In parallel hybrid mode, both engine and motor work together for optimum fuel economy and minimum impact on the environment.
When a destination is entered into the navigation system, the P400e's electronic neural network factors in traffic conditions, gradients on the route, and whether driving is in rural or urban environments to deliver the most efficient combination of power modes. Save mode ensures the battery will have enough charge to allow the P400e to operate in pure EV mode in urban areas.
