Daily Slideshow: The GXE is an 800HP Electric Corvette

Who is Genovation Cars?

In short, they're a company focused on being on the cutting edge of performance electric vehicles. Grounded in the idea of sustainable performance, this company of engineers and enthusiasts is determined to make advances in the EV field and pass along technology and performance to the next generation. The GXE, their Corvette Grand Sport based EV, is already a record-setting product. You might be concerned about taking the internal combustion heart out of the American Icon but rest assured the Corvette shape is in good hands with the people at Genovation. 

What's This Thing All About?

The GXE gets along just fine without the LS powerplant. In fact, it goes harder and faster than before thanks to an all-electric, twin-motor setup. The standard Grand Sport Corvette dishes out 460 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The GXE? Try a monstrous 800 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. That's 45 more horsepower than the new ZR1 and 150 more than a Z06. All this extra motivation propels the GXE to 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds and onto a top speed north of 220 miles per hour. While this might be the most docile sounding Vette, it's definitely a wolf in wolf's clothing. 

>>Join the conversation about the GXE electric-powered Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

What Makes it So Special?

Well, aside from the all-electric powertrain, the GXE has a few tricks up its sleeve. First and foremost is the weight balance. Despite having the additional heft of electric motors and batteries, the GXE manages what Genovation describes as a "near 50/50" weight distribution. Handling is aided by a lower center of gravity, keeping the roll of the GXE to a bare minimum. The stopping power of the GXE should also be pretty impressive given the Brembo ceramic brakes mounted to all four corners. What makes the GXE special? A 0-60 under 3 seconds, improved weight balance, and excellent brakes is a solid recipe for performance. Add in the zero emissions nature of the EV and its a tasty sell for millennials and those who crave something a bit sportier than a Tesla. 

>>Join the conversation about the GXE electric-powered Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

What Else is Going On?

Here's an EV first, the GXE offers a manual transmission. That's right, in an unprecedented move, an electric vehicle manufacturer will allow you to row your own gears. The manual option is a 7-speed unit utilizing a traditional clutch pedal. For those who are too uncoordinated to manage using both feet, there's an automatic transmission offered with paddle shifters. To add a little flair to the rest of the interior, the GXE features an interior comprised of leather and Alcantara trim. In an effort to stay with the times, the interior has a large LED touchscreen on the center of the dash as well as a bumping Harman audio system. 

>>Join the conversation about the GXE electric-powered Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

What's On the Outside?

The custom Carbon Revolution Wheels are a big standout. These wheels are more than a visual aspect of the GXE. They actually reduce unsprung weight and rotating mass, further improving the handling characteristics of the vehicle. The rest of the improvements can best be described as a move towards more aggressive bodywork. The front features a new splitter and a more angular front bumper. Towards the rear, the GXE is fitted with a rear diffuser and a substantial rear spoiler. As a final touch, Genovation switched all the lighting to LED. Quite fitting for a company obsessed with efficiency and conservation.

>>Join the conversation about the GXE electric-powered Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

What Else Should We Know?

For starters, there's the price. The GXE starts at $750,000. Take a moment to digest that number. Now that you've regained consciousness, let's take another look. By comparison, the Porsche 918 Spyder sold for close to $1 million and a total of 918 units were produced. The 918 made a bit more power at 887 horsepower but it's all-electric range was limited to 12 miles. The GXE will go an estimated 175 miles on a single charge. Moreover, only 75 vehicles are planned for the first edition, making the GXE is a much more interesting product when factoring in exclusivity. Finally, if you want to shift your electric vehicle yourself, there's really only one option. 

>>Join the conversation about the GXE electric-powered Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

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