The hybrid AWD Corvette E-Ray outpaces a race-spec Camaro ZL1 in a head-to-head drag race test.
The newest chapter in Corvette performance history has just been written—by electricity. In a surprising turn of events, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the first hybrid and all-wheel-drive model in the Corvette’s lineage, has beaten a race-prepped Camaro ZL1 in a drag showdown featured in a recent Drive.com.au YouTube video.
Despite facing off against a lightweight, track-specific Camaro Supercar, the E-Ray’s cutting-edge hybrid drivetrain proved to be the difference maker. The Camaro, powered by a 600-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, benefits from a stripped-down 1,335 kg frame and rear-wheel drive—a setup typically optimized for racing. But the real-world test told a different story.
The E-Ray’s powertrain, which combines a 6.2-liter LT2 V8 paired with an electric front motor and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery, delivers a total output of 655 horsepower and 595 lb-ft of torque. Its sophisticated AWD system gave it the launch edge, rocketing it from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds—the fastest acceleration time of any production Corvette to date.
In the drag race, the Camaro leapt forward off the line, but the instant torque from the E-Ray’s front-mounted electric motor and superior traction quickly flipped the script. The hybrid Corvette surged ahead and never looked back, crossing the finish line well in front of its track-spec competitor.
Later in the video, Drive also tested the C8 Z06 against the same Camaro on a circuit, where the naturally aspirated Z06 demonstrated its own dominance by setting an unofficial lap record for production cars at Queensland Raceway.
The results highlight a turning point in muscle and performance car evolution—where hybrid powertrains and advanced tech aren't just fuel-savers but track dominators.
