General Motors Builds All-Electric Camaro
General Motors (NYSE: GM) shocked convention goers and the media with an all-electric Chevrolet Camaro last week.
An all-electric Camaro concept muscle car with two electric engines capable of generating 700 horsepower thrilled a trade show crowd. Furthermore, the Camaro concept will run a quarter mile in nine seconds.
The eCOPO Concept made a surprise appearance at the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show, The Verge reports. The eCOPO Concept carries an 800-volt battery pack which is twice the size of that in the Chevy Bolt.
GM named the eCOPO after the COPO Camaro a speciality low-production variant of Chevy’s obnoxious muscle car. The original COPO was a high-performance street legal vehicle that has become popular with muscle car collectors.
Uniquely, the COPO Camaro can compete in National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events. Not coincidently, the COPO Camaro is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2018. Therefore, the eCOPO is part of those celebrations. However, there is no sign Chevy will enter the eCOPO in any drag races.
GM eCOPO all Electric Camaro Muscle Car hits the road
Notably, the eCOPO concept is apparently built upon the frame of a conventional Chevy Camaro. Thus, the only difference between the electric Camaro and its gasoline brother is the engine.
For instance, the eCOPO’s engines will fit in the housing for the gasoline Camaro’s LS motors. Additionally, the eCOPO appears built for drag racing. Thus, GM is proving it can go head to head with Tesla Motors and win.
This is bad news for Tesla because GM could easily replicate any model it brings out. Therefore, the whole rationale behind Tesla, bringing out unique electric vehicles is called into question.
However, Elon Musk could view the eCOPO as vindication of his work at Tesla. To clarify, Musk’s major goal at Tesla is promoting electric vehicles not building a car company. Under those circumstances, the eCOPO vindicates all of Musk’s sacrifices at Tesla.
The electric Camaro proves Electric Muscle Cars are Here
It looks as if the age of the electric muscle car is here. I predict that Ford (NYSE: F) and Chrysler (NYSE: FCAU) will quickly bring out their own electric muscle cars.
First-up will be electric Dodge Demons, Challengers, and Chargers. Next we will probably see an electric Ford Mustang and an electric Corvette. However, there is no word on when the eCOPO will be at your local Chevy dealer.
Not to be outdone, Elon Musk will undoubtedly build a Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) muscle car. Notably, Musk is already promoting an electric pickup truck and a next generation Tesla Roadster. Elon will probably see the eCOPO and work on his own electric muscle car.
It looks as if electric muscle cars will be soon be dominating the streets thanks to the electric Camaro. I have to wonder if electric muscle cars will be as popular or as iconic as their fossil-fuel burning cousins.
