Corvette Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, was there as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-
Ray VIN 001 was brought out on the Barrett-Jackson stage. Juechter told the cheering crowd that this first Corvette hybrid will go down in history.
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Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter was on the Barrett-Jackson podium in Palm Beach, Florida, as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray VIN 001 was rolled in. Juechter says the sports car is “Finally going electric” and that the new high-powered Corvette hybrid “Enhances everything about driving a Corvette!” The E-Ray is eAWD, so technically it can be driven all year. The very first 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ sold for a whopping $1.1 million. All of the proceeds will go to a charity called DonorsChoose that raises money to help fund projects for public schools across America.
“General Motors and Chevrolet are proud to join DonorsChoose on its mission of combatting inequality in school funding by providing underserved communities with the resources needed for a quality education,” said Steve Majoros, chief marketing officer, Chevrolet. “The Corvette E-Ray is a special product for Chevrolet, and we are honored that the proceeds from the sale of VIN 001 will aid this organization in supporting students and teachers around the nation.”
The First Retail Production 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ
According to the Barrett-Jackson Listing, Lot #3000 was the first retail production 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 3LZ that carries VIN 001. This newest version of America’s favorite sports car was unveiled in January. It is powered by a 6.2-liter LT2 small-block V8 engine. It also has a front-mounted electric motor that powers the front wheels via a 1.9 kWh battery pack. Altogether, the first electrified, all-wheel-drive Corvette produces a combined 655 horsepower.
Not only does eAWD make it easier to drive all year round, but it makes the performance car more nimble. The intelligent controls dynamically adjust in real time to provide front-axle assist for more stability and balance. According to Chevrolet “Electrification enhances the drive experience, making the E-Ray a sure-footed Grand Tourer with the quickest 0-60 and quarter-mile times in Corvette history.”
Two cool features stand out. Even though the vehicle is electrified, you don’t have to plug it in. The battery is charged via regenerative energy from coasting and braking, as well as during normal driving.
The 2024 Corvette E-Ray has a Stealth Mode. It can drive on electric drive mode for the street, up to 45 mph. It means you can quietly come and go, nearly silently, whenever you wish. The engine automatically engages if the vehicle’s speed exceeds the limit, additional torque is requested by the driver, or the E-Ray’s battery pack is depleted.
The E-Ray is equipped with standard all-season tires, Magnetic Selective Ride Control and standard carbon ceramic brakes.
The name of the buyer wasn’t announced but he or she gets to pick the paint and interior colors that they want.
$1.1 Million to Help Public School Children
100% of $1.1 million hammer price will benefit DonorsChoose, a non-profit that raises money to help public school teachers and their classrooms. The charity’s CEO, Alix Guerrier, spoke before the auction started and thanked everyone for helping public school children in need. Guerrier seemed especially excited that the money would support STEM classes like science, technology and math. The charity’s mission is “To help a classroom in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education”.
DonorsChoose has been supporting teachers and students since 2000. If you go their website, you can see that public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests. Donors can pick which request they would like to support and donations can be made in any amount. One teacher is raising money for books for the students to read over the summer. One teacher asked for reams of paper, another needs art supplies. You can support classrooms anywhere in the country.
Chevrolet just provided $1.1 million dollars to help support what may be the vehicle engineers and designers of the future!
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Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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