As Chevrolet debuted the all-electric eCOPO Camaro drag racer at the 2018 SEMA Show, it also subtly announced that it sees a “potential new avenue” for Chevrolet’s crate engine and performance parts department. Specifically, the 550,000 Watt power unit powering the electric COPO Camaro concept. For a company that dominates the crate engine market, this news suggests expansion into completely new territory.
Going into detail, the twin BorgWarner HVH 250-150 motor assembly of the eCOPO Camaro has the same bell house mounting pattern and crankshaft flange as any LS-family V8 engine. This means that the system can seamlessly mount to just about any General Motors transmission. Yet Chevrolet admits that they’re “not there yet,” and it’s (officially) only something development teams are exploring.
Chevrolet developed the eCOPO Camaro with Hancock and Lane Racing, as well as Patrick McCue, a teacher from the Seattle area who helped create the world record holder Shock and Awe electric drag race car as part of his Bothell High School auto shop program. Total output eCOPO Camaro is 750 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque at 9,000 rpm sent through a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission to 9-inch x 30-inch x 15-inch Hoosier racing slicks. It’s the best example yet from GM in terms of what’s possible when it comes to electric performance.
The 32kWh battery pack of the eCOPO Camaro Concept is composed of four 200 volt modules, each weighing approximately 175 pounds, or 700 lbs total. Two of the them are located where the rear seats would be, while the other two are in the trunk: one in the spare tire would be, and the other in the area over the rear axle. All of this amounts to a 56 percent rear weight bias. While testing is ongoing, Chevrolet estimates 9-second quarter-mile times are achievable, comparable to a (street-legal) Dodge Demon. But for now – the eCOPO Camaro is officially a concept.
Comments
This has to become a reality and fast… Chevrolet could literally Own this market. It would also help sell their other vehicles with battery tech. I look at that hood and I see Chevy Thunder from way back…
600 pound feet of torque @ 9000 RPM is 1028 hp. 750 hp at 9000 RPM is 437 Pound feet of torque.
What’s with the thumbs down can’t you guys do 3rd grade math?
God I hope they make a connect and cruise package…. I’d do it in a heart beat in my 68.
I love it. More electrification please.
This sounds like it can convert the majority of GM performance vehicles into sub 10 second cars…They need to build this now…
Live to dream.. borrowing the architecture from Chevrolet’s Volt; a small 1.5L DOHC-4v 4-cyl engine provides electricity when needed to a battery that powers (2) 200-hp electric motors pushing the rear wheels and like the Volt, the Camaro would run on battery until the charge is low and the 1.5L 4-cyl engine kicks in to recharge the battery.
Let GM electrify the HEARTBEAT of America.
The answer to my prayers for my 57 T Bird. Just need an adapter for the Ford -O – Maric tranny.
The battery pack they installed is only 32kWhrs.Needs to be at least twice that size.