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GM made a fun surprise announcement at the SEMA (Speciality Equipment Market Association): a 700 horsepower Chevrolet Camaro all-electric concept designed to cover a quarter of a mile in about nine seconds. And unlike EV performance cars like the NIO EP9 or the next-generation, second-generation Tesla Roadster, designed for this purpose, the Camaro concept appears as a magnificent monster car built by Frankenstein.
The car, nicknamed the eCOPO concept (from the original COPO Camaro Special Command Performance Models of the late 1960s), looks like any other modern Camaro seen from the outside, even in electric blue paint. The interior is very different. For example, the eCOPO is powered by a combination of BorgWarner electric motors, identical to those used in these Daimler electric carts.
The engines are powered by an 800-volt battery, twice as much as a Chevrolet Bolt. However, the eCOPO does not use a skateboard style battery that occupies the entire floor of the car, which is about the norm for electric vehicles nowadays. Instead, the pack is divided into four 200-volt modules that are stowed at different locations around the car's frame: two are sitting at the back and two in the trunk, one on the back. # 39; rear axle and the other on the seat. where the spare tire usually goes.
According to GM, this breakdown of the battery mass helps improve performance on a drag strip, as it gives the car a 56% tilt on the rear weight, making it easier to launch. But it also shows how cleverly Hancock and Lane, an electric drag racing team that helped Chevy build the car.
"This project illustrates the commitment of Chevrolet and General Motors to engage young minds in STEM education," said Russ O'Blenes, Director of Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsport at GM, in a statement. "It also represents our goal of a zero emission world, with the next generation of engineers and scientists who will help us achieve that goal."
GM's brands are not associated with any current series of electric vehicle races such as Formula E, but eCOPO could indicate that they are thinking about it as the company moves its fleet to hybrid and electric power. And they approach the question in an interesting way, which could make the electric race a bit more accessible.
"I like the fact that they use proven standard components and that they push electric vehicles into motorsport," said automotive journalist Bozi Tatarevic. The edge. "The engine they use is obviously robust because Daimler has chosen the same for the eCanter. The inverters that they use are widely available and match what they claim to use 800 volts. "
According to Tatarevic, perhaps the most important thing is that the electric motor housing matches that of GM's LS combustion engines, which are extremely popular. This "gives other racing cars the ability to adapt the same system if they decide to offer it as a cash package," says Tatarevic, theoretically facilitating the discovery of the EV dragster beyond the simple fact of bring their Tesla on the track.
O'Blenes admitted in the official press release. "The possibilities are intriguing and suggest a whole new world for runners," he said. "Chevrolet has developed the concept of the high-performance crate engine at the time of the creation of the original COPO Camaro models, and the eCOPO project points to a future that could include electric crate engines for racing. or even your street rod. We're not there yet, but it's something we're exploring. "
The eCOPO is far from the first muscle car to be equipped with electric power. Three years ago we met a man who turned his 1968 Ford Mustang into an 800 horsepower electric monster. A company based in Maryland, called Genovation, recently transformed a modern Chevrolet Corvette into a similar EV. The fact of seeing a company support efforts to build a car of this type, however, demonstrates the interest shown in the electric race beyond the tailor-made solutions such as Formula E cars.
In fact, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) touted the concept this week. "Chevrolet's dedication to innovation and performance is evident in this new concept vehicle," said NHRA President Glen Cromwell in a statement. "NHRA discusses and explores the evolution of the electric car to determine how it will shape the future of the drag race. The new COPO Camaro is an exciting development in this process. "
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