2018 Chevrolet Camaro eCOPO Electric Concept: An Electrifying Vision for Drag Racing
The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro eCOPO Electric Concept, a glimpse into the potential future of drag racing, was revealed on the 50th anniversary of the original COPO Camaro performance models. This model, developed by General Motors and Hancock and Lane Racing, is entirely powered by electricity, making it a novel take on the traditional drag racing vehicle.
Performance and Specifications
The eCOPO Camaro Concept is powered by an electric motor that delivers over 700 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, figures that match high-performance internal combustion engines. Early estimates from Chevrolet suggest that the car can complete a quarter-mile sprint in around 9 seconds, but these figures are still under scrutiny as testing continues.
Building on Tradition and Encouraging Future Innovation
The partnership with Hancock and Lane Racing is noteworthy, not only because of the team's success in NHRA drag racing but also because of its involvement with Patrick McCue and his Seattle-area Bothell High School automotive technology program. The commitment to engaging young minds in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is central to this project, highlighting Chevrolet and General Motors' drive to foster the next generation of engineers and scientists.
Pushing Technological Boundaries with an 800-Volt Battery
The eCOPO sets itself apart with its unique motor and an 800-volt battery pack, a first for General Motors. This power plant uses a pair of BorgWarner HVH 250-150 motor assemblies to generate power, each of them offering 300 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to a solid rear axle via a racing-prepared “Turbo 400” automatic transmission. The battery pack has more than twice the voltage of the Chevrolet Volt and Bolt EV, demonstrating GM's ambition to push into new technological frontiers in electrification.
The 800-volt battery pack is composed of four 200-volt modules, each weighing around 175 pounds. They are strategically placed within the vehicle for optimal weight distribution: two in the rear seat area and two in the trunk. The eCOPO Camaro achieves a rear-weight bias of over 56 percent, which enhances the car's efficiency during launch.
Exploring the Potential of Electric Crate Motors
The eCOPO Camaro Concept presents an interesting possibility for the future of Chevrolet and General Motors’ electrification development. The electric motor used in this concept car shares the same bell house mounting pattern and crankshaft flange as the popular LS-family engines in Chevrolet’s crate engine portfolio. This means it can bolt up to just about any General Motors transmission. It hints at the potential for electric crate motors for racing or even street rods in the future, marking a bold and exciting direction for performance car enthusiasts.
In the meantime, Chevrolet and Hancock and Lane Racing will continue to test and develop the eCOPO Camaro, taking this trailblazing technology to the drag strip in the quest for faster elapsed times.
The eCOPO Camaro Concept was showcased in Electric Blue at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, along with the 50th anniversary 2019 COPO Camaro production race car and approximately two dozen additional Chevrolet concepts and show vehicles.
