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Chevy today announced the electric conversion of its iconic COPO Camaro 2019 sports car designed for the accelerator track …
At first, you (like me) might say something like, "It's a silly conversion that deserves no more than the guy who converts old, muscular cars into electric dragsters of less than 10 seconds."
But beneath the surface, it's the fools of Chevy's hardcore race who buy these COPO cars and the mere fact of going "electrically" on the COPO brand will certainly ruffle some feathers. Only 69 of these COPO cars are offered each year and are NHRA Drag certified. Creating an "eCOPO" brand is a big step forward for the electrified Chevy and GM races.
The conversion was carried out by the Hancock and Lane Racing electric drag teams, who built the prototype from a 2019 COPO camaro. It tests over 700 horsepower and 600 lb-ft. torque that does not immediately look like the type of specification that allows a car to cross the quarter mile finish line in less than 10 seconds.
eCOPO CONCEPT
"The eCOPO concept represents the future of electrification in high performance," said Russ O'Blenes, Director of Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsport at General Motors. "The original program of the COPO Camaro was only meant to push the limits and this concept is an exploration in the same spirit."
It was not a 100% professional effort …
Chevrolet is associated with Hancock and Lane Racing not only for the team's success in the NHRA's drag racing, but also for its involvement with Patrick McCue, the electric drag racing car's engine "Shock and Awe", which holds records, and his Bothell High of Seattle School Automotive Technology Program. More than a dozen students participated in the development and assembly of the electric car with the help of the race team.
How can you reach 800 volts when the Chevrolet Bolt / Volt and even Tesla work with 400 volt designs?
The electric motor is based on a pair of BorgWarner HVH 250-150 engines each generating 300 lb-ft. torque, and replaces the gasoline engine. It is connected to a classic "Turbo 400" automatic transmission, prepared for the race, which transmits engine torque to the same rigid rear axle used in standard COPO Camaro racing cars.
More important and interesting for me, the 800V allows faster charging times, as we have already seen with the Porsche Taycan. On the track, being able to charge is even more important than normal on the use of the road, but GM has hinted that it could incorporate some of this technology into its future electric vehicles – which would be the welcome.
Below you will find an overview of the COPO program and the press release
LAS VEGAS – Fifty years after the introduction of COPO Camaro's original, specially-commissioned performance models, Chevrolet's eCOPO Camaro concept demonstrates an electrified vision of drag racing.
Developed by General Motors and built in partnership with Hancock and Lane Racing, a pioneering team of electric drag racing, the concept race car – based on the 2019 COPO Camaro – is fully electric, driven by an electric motor providing power to the cars. equivalent of more than 700 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque.
Chevrolet estimates travel times of a quarter of a mile in the 9 second range. The tests are in progress.
"The eCOPO concept represents the future of electrification in high performance," said Russ O'Blenes, Director of Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsport at General Motors. "The original program of the COPO Camaro was only meant to push the limits and this concept is an exploration in the same spirit."
Chevrolet is associated with Hancock and Lane Racing not only for the team's success in the NHRA's drag racing, but also for its involvement with Patrick McCue, the electric drag racing car's engine "Shock and Awe", which holds records, and his Bothell High of Seattle School Automotive Technology Program. More than a dozen students participated in the development and assembly of the electric car with the help of the race team.
"This project demonstrates the commitment of Chevrolet and General Motors to engage young minds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education," O'Blenes said. "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."
800 volts
Just as the original 1969 COPO Camaro models relied on creative engineering to ensure their success in Stock Eliminator trolling, eCOPO is breaking new ground with its unique engine and GM's first 800-volt battery.
The electric motor is based on a pair of BorgWarner HVH 250-150 engines each generating 300 lb-ft. torque, and replaces the gasoline engine. It is connected to a classic "Turbo 400" automatic transmission, prepared for the race, which transmits engine torque to the same rigid rear axle used in standard COPO Camaro racing cars.
The all-new 800-volt battery pack allows for more efficient power transfer to the electric motor, while allowing faster charging, which is important for the limited time between playoff rounds in drag racing.
"With 800 volts, more than twice the battery voltage of the standard Chevrolet Volt and Bolt EV, eCOPO is positioning itself in a new technology area," says O'Blenes. "As GM strengthens its leadership in electrification, a big step might well come from the track of acceleration."
The battery pack consists of four 200-volt modules, each weighing approximately 175 pounds, strategically mounted in the car for optimal weight distribution. Two are in the rear seat and the other two in the trunk: one in the spare tire housing and the other above the rear axle.
A complete battery management system monitors all critical voltages and temperatures in the pack. It is connected to a complete security system that continuously assesses the proper functioning and operational safety of all the electrical components of the vehicle. The rear compartment batteries are insulated from the inside and an integrated drive shaft tunnel has been added between the modules for added protection. In addition, the protective cage located in the trunk area has been extended to provide additional protection for rear-mounted modules.
With the strategic positions of the modules, the eCOPO Camaro has a bias greater than 56%, which allows to launch the car more efficiently.
Electric box motors
The eCOPO Camaro concept extends the development of the Chevrolet and General Motors electrification and supports the future development of products. It also suggests a potential new avenue for Chevrolet's cash engine portfolio and performance parts portfolio.
The eCOPO Camaro's electric motor has the same roof-mounting design and crankshaft flange as the popular LS family of Chevrolet range engines. This allows it to sink in just about any transmission from General Motors. In fact, the transmission, the driveshaft and the other components of the driveline remain in the same place as in a COPO Camaro petrol racing car, which means that the electric motor simply screws into the engine compartment. the place of the gasoline engine.
"The possibilities are intriguing and suggest a whole new world for runners," O'Blenes 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. "
At the same time, Chevrolet and Hancock and Lane Racing will continue to develop the Camaro eCOPO and test it on the acceleration track, looking for faster times thanks to a brand new technology.
The eCOPO concept, shown in electric blue, joins the race car produced by the production of the 2019 Camaro COPO and about two dozen additional Chevy vehicles and vehicles at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, up to the end of the year. November 2nd.
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