The latest COPO Camaro can run a silent nine-second quarter-mile

CHEVROLET’S eCOPO Camaro concept is a weird and wonderful contradiction, blending old and new technologies in the dead-eyed pursuit of straight-line performance.

It represents a new generation for the iconic high-performance COPO Camaros, making the transition from combustion to electric power.

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Thrusting the drag-special down the track is a pair of two BorgWarner electric motors joined together to make a single unit producing “the equivalent of more than” 521kW and 813Nm.

While testing of the concept is ongoing, Chevrolet estimates it’ll be able to achieve quarter-mile times in the nine-second range, doing so with a combination of technology developed decades apart.

The transmission is an old school Turbo 400 automatic, while the solid rear axle is lifted from the ‘regular’ COPO Camaro.

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Chevy has refrained from listing what the kWh capacity is of the batteries which power the eCOPO, only that they are capable of 800-volts.

This indicates the eCOPO is able to discharge large amounts of energy in short bursts – perfect for drag racing – as well as using high voltage fast charging systems.

Chevrolet says the electric motor fitted to the eCOPO uses the same bellhouse mounting pattern and crankshaft flange as an LS V8. What this means, is the electric unit could be mated with any of the Chevrolet Performance transmissions offered by the company.

That’s handy, particularly with Chevrolet hinting that they could start offering electric crate motors in the future.

"The possibilities are intriguing and suggest a whole new world for racers," said Russ O’Blenes, head of performance parts at GM.

“The eCOPO project points to a future that could include electric crate motors for racing, or even your street rod. We’re not there yet, but it’s something we’re exploring."

Is this the future of the LS swap? Let us know in the comments.