Just when you thought the SEMA show could ever only be about high octane and fire-spitting horsepower, Chevrolet has introduced us with something new. Enter the electric COPO Camaro Concept, or eCOPO if you prefer.
The eCOPO Camaro was built in partnership with Hancock and Lane Racing, which have been one of the few trailblazers of electric vehicle drag racing. The electric COPO Camaro Concept is entirely electric, driven by an electric motor providing the equivalent of more than 700 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque supplied from GM’s first 800-volt battery pack.
The electric motor itself can be found in place of the COPO Camaro’s gas engine, and is based on a pair of BorgWarner HVH 250-150 motors, each of them generating 300 lb-ft of torque. Unconventionally, where typical electric cars are a single speed, the motor assembly is paired to a racing-prepared “Turbo 400″ automatic transmission that channels the motor’s torque to the same solid rear axle used in the production COPO Camaro race cars.
The battery pack of the electric COPO Camaro Concept is composed of four 200-volt modules, each weighing approximately 175 pounds, or 700 lbs total. Despite the heft, Chevy strategically mounted the battery packs evenly around the car for ideal weight distribution. 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, helping the eCOPO squat for traction more effectively.
While testing is ongoing, Chevrolet estimates 9-second quarter-mile times are achievable. Which is Dodge Demon territory, albeit much, much quieter. Which begs the question: will the gear heads and track rats forgo the adrenaline rush that comes with the deafening roar of a race-prepped V8 engine? Or would the Chevrolet eCOPO Camaro help bring new crowds into drag racing? Time will likely soon tell.
Comments
I assume this could be an answer to the rumored hybrid Camaro for the next gen but I could be wrong. Anyways great concept cars.
It more sounds like the future of GM’s EV coupe.
There wont be a next gen if they dont start selling.
Holy sh*t.
This is clearly GM flexing what they’re capable of in terms of electric powertrains.
Well done, GM.
Doing a car like this was the easy part.
Making go much farther, cost less and charging faster still is the challange,
When they do a ZL1R for the 24 at Daytona then we will see progressed made.
Tesla Model 3 performance has already come very close to this; it can be had at $64K yet can still qualify for a partial federal tax credit and state incentives…EPA rated it at 335 miles of range yet Tesla advertises 310 miles, 3.3 0-60 and quarter mile time in the high 11s…If you’re willing to take a range hit, buying true performance tires and even lighter and wider rear rims has resulted a 3.1 0-60 and a low 11s quarter mile…The model 3 can be tracked better than the S/X yet it is true its not a dedicated road course vehicle but if you took a survey asking how many Camaro or even ZL1 actually road course their car, it will be a tiny minority…Far more owners hit the drag strip or AutoX…
Let’s keep this real.
#1 the Tax credit is going away.
#2 The range on any Tesla takes a major hit after only a couple 1/4 mile runs.
#3 it still takes more time to charge than a fill of gas.
#4 the price for a 3 at over $60k is nuts. It is not cheap for a small car that is style challenged.
#5 adding real performance tires compromises range.
#6 you would be surprised how many track time.
#7 even Drag Rscing and Auto Crossing you many not make it home if you go many rounds with out a charge.
You may be able to do 3 second runs but the realities of life are still there. Longer charging vs filling gas. Lack of charging facilities, the car is still not cheap to buy and until these points are achieved it is still not a vehicle for the average buyer.
Let’s keep this realer…
#1, the FEDERAL tax credit will be reduced before it goes away for good and its possible it get renewed, state/local level incentives still exist, often in several thousands
#2, the “gas” range is reduced on any ICE vehicle that driven hard; the ZL1 has a range of 272 miles (17mpg x 16gal tank) actually has less range than the Model 3 which has an EPA range of 335 yet is advertised at 310
#3, true yet the idea isn’t to destination charge, you charge overnight at home…Most people have multiple vehicles at their household, you generally don’t road trip performance cars, you can use a large ICE SUV for that
#4, with current federal and state incentives in Cali, you can get a mid Model 3 for $35000…The performance version which starts at $64K is a bargain base of the performance stats
#5, same with the ICE vehicle if they don’t already have them standard; that part of the reason to why the Tesla has more range than ZL1
#6, educate me, how many GM performance track car owners road course their rides?
#7, AutoX often only has three laps, depending how far away you live from the track and how many runs you actually can get in, the overwhelming majority of the time you should be fine on range…ICE vehicles suffer from the same fate…
Honestly when you list excuses for why we shouldn’t bother with EVs you sound like an American’t.
This is America. We created the internet and planted our flag on the moon. We will make practical electric vehicles a reality as well, and GM will lead the way.
“Which begs the question: will the gear heads and track rats forgo the adrenaline rush that comes with the deafening roar of a race-prepped V8 engine?”
Really comes down to this, if the EV is quicker/faster than the ICE version it can’t be ignored…
When they feel the linear acceleration of electric torque, they will. G Forces provide a greater adrenaline rush than sound.
That’s for the Driver. What about the spectators?
They’re watching for the fastest car, same as ever.
The spectators are there for the actions, not the sound. This isn’t a concert.
I’d argue quieter drag races would bring in more spectators.
This car is fast at the strip cause its designed to go fast at the strip. Ive seen a 98 trans am hit low 7’s with almost 2000hp and a 2spd dynaglide transmission. with that kind of transmission and power it was putting out almost 3000ft-bls of torque through the torque converter at takeoff. the eletric aspect if all for show and being “cool” ive seen Nova’s outfitted with 600hp get in the 9’s
since the NASCAR ZL-1 camaro has a aero problem I wonder if this new front end is to correct that problem.