The First Supercharged Corvette E-Ray Makes an Audacious Sound on the Dyno

Electric power to the front axle, forced induction to the rear.

For the last two generations of Corvette, Chevrolet offered faster variants with a supercharger. The newly announced C8 ZR1 could go another direction, but the quicker Z06 and E-Ray models instead add horsepower through either a unique flat-plane crank V-8 or an electric motor at the front axle. That leaves a naturally aspirated V-8 behind the driver just begging to be supercharged, so Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has done what needs to be done.

A build video shared earlier this week shows what the Corvette customizers claim is the first-ever supercharged Corvette E-Ray. The supercharger installed on the LT2 V-8 by Paragon Performance combines with the electric motors on the front axle to create a total power output of 734 hp and 792 lb-ft of torque. Add that to the existing strengths of the E-Ray and you get a custom Corvette putting serious power to the rear wheels while an electric motor provides a separate punch of horsepower to the front tires when necessary.

On a dyno, the E-Ray has the familiar roar of a GM small block backed by a whining supercharger. It is an audacious sound, one made all the better by a custom center-exit exhaust reminiscent of the four-pipe setup on the Z06 rather than the dual rear-exit pairs seen on the standard C8 and stock E-Rays. The build combines GM’s recent past and immediate future at the same time, making for a completely unique take on the Corvette.