I’m going to deal with some hypocrisy here. As editor InsideEVsI love driving electric cars, and I know they are essential for reducing carbon emissions from transportation in the long term. But as a traditional car enthusiast, I’m not entirely sad to learn that some of the gasoline-powered sports cars I love may stick around for a while.
Although electric cars offer amazing performance these days, there is still a huge penalty to pay in terms of weight. Batteries are heavy, which is the last thing you want in a sports car. All this before you get the traditional sports car attributes that gearheads love, such as attractive engine and gearbox sounds.
GM seems to be very clear about all of this. Because while it’s toying with the idea of an all-electric car Chevrolet Corvette Before, and even revealed concept versions of what such an electric car could take, it is not on the table at the moment, GM President Mark Reuss recently said. InsideEVs Connected Podcast.
But do not think that the idea is not applicable.
“I think so He can “It has to be done,” Royce said. “We showed a lot of electric concept cars. I wouldn’t say the drivetrain was a real thing in those concept cars, but (they were) very interesting and allowed us to do a lot of different things in terms of the look, the design and the aesthetic.”
At the same time, “an all-electric Corvette that can do what a Corvette is supposed to do is not easy right now. What I’m talking about is, when you get to mass, from a vehicle dynamics standpoint, when you get to thermal performance… you can make progress on that, which is what we have. But I’m not sure that the Corvette character, and the Corvette buyer, are ready to be the beneficiaries of that effort completely even now.”
To put it more simply: When you add the weight of batteries and the loss of range in high-performance driving, plus the instant torque of an electric car, you might end up with something that’s not quite a match for GM’s high-revving V8 sports car.
“But if there comes a day where technological changes, (more) lightness, and things like that are more achievable, it seems like they could be more in line with those potential values,” Royce said. “It can certainly happen. But not yet. That’s why we have to continue investing in technology and R&D.”
Overall, automakers have had tremendous successes in thermal management of electric vehicles. Many new high-performance electrical devices feature amazing feats, e.g Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Porsche crushes Nürburgring times Or BYD’s 300 mph electric supercar. Much of the focus across the industry is on making lighter electric vehicle batteries. Maybe even solid-state batteriesWhich can solve many problems at once.
But could all of this be applied to a Corvette anytime soon, in a way that LT Series engine enthusiasts will find enticing? It all seems unlikely. Although there are plenty of fast electric cars out there these days — including GM’s lineup — Corvette enthusiasts use them for a reason, and right now, that’s very difficult to replicate using battery power.
Then there is the issue of buyer readiness. Look no further Dodge Charger Daytonawhich unfortunately turned out to be a complete failure. Sure, it’s fast, but a lot of EVs are fast. The engine noise simulation is fun, but ultimately a bit of a party trick. (There’s also the high price and the reality of it It’s not very good at doing EV stuff.) Some cars are defined only by their engine and handling characteristics, and it was not easy to electrify them.
Having said that, Royce seems very optimistic about the future electrification For Corvette. And the new Corvette ZR1X He is a great example. The range-topping all-wheel-drive Corvette Hybrid delivers 1,250 horsepower thanks to a 5.5-liter twin-turbo LT7 V-8 paired with a 1.9 kWh battery. It’s hard to argue with the results.
Royce, a popular racer and racer, said he drives one now. “And that’s pretty cool,” he said.
“This is using electricity to do the right things. Using it for power, using it for speed, using it for ride and handling, using it for traction, it’s a great use of electricity in a Corvette.”
Maybe one day, the V8 will give way to the battery pack. But that day is not today.
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
