It’s not easy being the Corvette. Seventy years of history says each new model needs not only to be worthy of the name but also offer greater performance. But even an iconic sports car can reach its physical limits and need to change things up to lay down more power. In the words of Montgomery “Scotty” Scott: “I canna change the laws of physics!”
Put those words in the mouth of Tadge Juechter, Corvette executive chief engineer. He was the man who had to tell his General Motors bosses the front-engine C7 had realized its full potential and the only way to go quicker was to switch to a mid-engine layout. Hence the C8 Corvette, which we named the 2020 MotorTrend Car of the Year. But when we’re talking Corvette, you can’t rest even on those monumental laurels. The conventional Stingray’s performance upgrades include the Z51 and now the Z06 hardware.
Still, there is a desire for more.
Introducing the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the first Corvette to be electrified and offer all-wheel drive—and technically also the first front-wheel-drive Corvette when in EV-only mode, where propulsion comes solely from the front-mounted electric motor.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Motor Trend.
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This story is from the May 2023 edition of Motor Trend.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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MOTORTREND SUV OF THE YEAR 2024 - CERTIFIED FRESH
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2023 Lexus RZ
Lexus says it will make only battery-powered vehicles by 2035, and the new RZ 450e is the brand’s first dedicated EV. This midsize crossover indicates Lexus’ future lineup will have luxurious appeal, but we find this first effort lacking in crucial areas.
2024 Land Rover Defender
The Defender 130 is a tricky one to judge. On one hand, it potentially improves upon a design and package we previously lauded enough to crown as our 2021 SUV of the Year in the form of the standard Defender 110. The 130 is more than a foot longer than the 110 and has more room for people and stuff, stretching the existing design into a new body style. (The 130’s wheelbase remains unchanged.)
2024 Kia Seltos
If you’ve been a fan of Kia’s recent styling direction but don’t want to pay top dollar for it, the 2024 Kia Seltos is a great way to get a rolling piece of that design aesthetic at a reasonable price.
2023 Jeep Compass
When asked to identify an off-road vehicle, the average person will point to just about any Jeep.
2024 Hyundai Kona
The Kona enters its second generation for 2024 with a new design language. It’s larger than the outgoing Kona, too, and its uncommonly ornate (for this class) and unmistakable design is something we’re already seeing in other upcoming Hyundai products. Having really liked the previous Kona, would our judges warm to this one?
2023 Ford Escape
The Escape is one of those SUVs that hasn’t ranked at the top of its class for a long time, but every time we drive one, we’re pleasantly surprised. Although it perpetually feels a little outdated, there’s some inherent goodness baked into the Escape.
