SEMA 2019

Chevrolet's E-10 Concept showcases electrified hot rodding

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Nov 5, 2019, 7:31 am

The E-10 Concept reimagines hot rodding as an electric pursuit.

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

Drop it low, just don't plan on dropping it into 4 Low. Chevrolet has reimagined the future of hot rodding with an electrified concept truck. It took just 18 weeks to build, from the initial concept conception to the truck's arrival at SEMA.

The vehicle started its life as a 1962 Chevrolet C-10 pickup truck. It is now powered by Chevrolet's Connect & Cruise concept crate propulsion package. This package the truck 450 horsepower using the same proven powertrain components that are in the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Chevy says that the truck has a zero to 60 mph time of around 5 seconds and that it can do a quarter mile in around 13 seconds.

Chevrolet 2019 E-10 Concept electric hot rod truck Under the hood are the same components that propel a Chevrolet Bolt EV.Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

"The Chevrolet E-10 electrified Connect & Cruise concept system reimagines the performance crate engine for hot rodders," said Jim Campbell, vice president of Performance and Motorsports. "As General Motors continues to work toward our vision of a zero-emissions world, concepts such as this help us get there, while still supporting the enthusiasts who love to drive vintage vehicles."

Chevrolet 2019 E-10 Concept electric hot rod truck A three-motor system resides under the truck's hood.Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

Under the hood are a double stack of Chevrolet Performance concept electric crate motors (eCrate) and an automatic transmission that transfers torque to the truck's rear axle. The high-efficiency motors are built into modular housing that allows the three motors to be stacked and linked together.

Chevrolet 2019 E-10 Concept electric hot rod truck The truck gets its power from dual battery packs.Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

Two 400-volt batteries with 60 kWh of energy each rest in the bed of the truck under a hard tonneau cover. The two battery packs can be simultaneously charged and give the truck double the power that is in the Bolt EV.

"General Motors has the in-house talent required to create a concept like the E-10," said Campbell. "With the innovative thinking and expertise our performance team, electrification team and many others at GM bring, this project went from concept to running vehicle in 18 weeks to demonstrate what the future of an eCrate propulsion system and hot rodding could look like."

Chevrolet 2019 E-10 Concept electric hot rod truck Chevrolet has covered the truck's batteries with a hard tonneau cover.Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

The truck's EV power means that it's lacking one central tenant of hot rodding- a grumbling exhaust. The E-10 does its best to make up for that, with three speakers that simulate the sound of a V8 (one on the front and two in the back). The system comes with five modes that a driver can choose: LS7 Z28 track tuning, LS7 Z28 touring turning, a V8 engine, a futuristic sound, or silent. The noise changes depending on the power output, mimicking the changing of gears of a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine.

Chevrolet 2019 E-10 Concept electric hot rod truck The truck still retains much of its vintage flair.Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

The exterior and interior of the truck combines vintage looks with modern technology. It has the classic body of a C-10 but also has an illuminated Bowtie emblem on the grille and LED headlights and taillights. The instrument panel has been updated with digital displays to showcase the electric propulsion system and the restored cabin's seating has been trimmed in leather.

The truck has been lowered to ride on 20 x 9-inch front and 22 x 10-inch rear wheels.

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web

 
 

Heritage

Change.org petition gathering support to name Chevrolet Suburban 'National Vehicle of Texas'

Chevrolet has started a campaign urging people to sign a Change.org petition showing support for the Suburban to be named "National Vehicle of Texas."

Image courtesy of Chevrolet

In 1986, Texas Monthly declared the Chevrolet Suburban the "National Car of Texas," saying that it was, "the most Texas vehicle there is… It's big, it's strong, it's fun, it doesn't put on airs, but it doesn't keep you from putting on a few." In the time since, the Suburban has undergone many iterations, but still maintains its original focus as being a capable people-hauler.

A new Change.org petition started by Chevrolet seeks to bring attention to the Suburban and gain support to name the vehicle the "National Vehicle of Texas." Why not the State Vehicle of Texas? That designation was given to the chuckwagon in 2005.

"Honestly, the petition is not intended to result in any official proclamations," Monte Doran, Manager, Chevrolet Truck Communications said. "Instead, the petition is a way to celebrate the long-lasting connection between Texans and the Suburban." This year, the Suburban nameplate turns 85 years old.

According to Chevrolet, more Suburbans are sold in Texas than in the lower 25 states combined. Five of the top 10 Suburban dealerships in the country are in Texas.

"Suburbans are a familiar sight in the parking lot of the Argyle Club in San Antonio, which is not surprising since it's hard to drive a block in surrounding Alamo Heights without seeing one," said Doran. "At the end of a school day in North Dallas, Suburbans are lined up outside Hockaday and St. Mark's. On weekday mornings Memorial Drive in Houston is a processional of Suburbans hauling children to private schools."

They're not just for families. "Around the Capitol in Austin, Suburbans are so popular with the influence-peddling crowd that they are known as lobby wagons. A single lobbyist can take as many as eight legislators to lunch, while tinted windows all around … ensure the anonymity of his passengers."

Suburbans translate into life beyond the city and suburbs in Texas. You can find them on boat ramps, on rugged ranch roads, hunting and fishing locations, and camping areas. "Last year when the hunting season opened at the venerable St. Charles Bay hunting club in Rockport, there were 12 vehicles in the parking lot and every one of them was a Suburban," Doran (rightly) bragged.

Every Suburban sold in the world is built in Arlington at Arlington Assembly Plant.

The next-generation of the Suburban will be revealed on December 10 along side the redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe. Both SUVs will be 2021 models.

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web

 
 

Concept Cars

Hyundai to unveil a look possible next-gen Tucson with a plug-in hybrid powertrain

The Vision T is likely a look at the design language of the new Hyundai Tucson.

Image courtesy of Hyundai

Next week, Hyundai will unveil a new plug-in hybrid SUV concept car. The model is the seventh in the automaker's series of Hyundai Design Center concepts that combines "emotional value" with "sensuous sportiness" in an application of the company's new design language.

"We pursue innovative solutions in design and add emotional value to our product experience through sensuous sportiness design language," said SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. The SUV concept is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain indicating its eco-lifestyle focus and its inherent balance with the environment in which it is driven.

Hyundai Vision T concept SUV car front PHEV The side profile of the design shows off a new vision for Hyundai's compact SUV.Image courtesy of Hyundai

The SUV has a theme of parametric fantasy and transcendent connectivity. All of the concept SUV's body structures are connected from the body to light or trim features. The overall look is a seamless take on design boundaries, perhaps signifying the future seamlessness of home, vehicle, entertainment, and transportation spaces.

Ambient light reflects off concave and convex surfaces to create a sense of tension, according to Hyundai.

The vehicle features an evolution of the Hidden Signature Lamp (as seen on the new Sonata) and features a parametric air shutter that deploys to help adjust aerodynamics and design. The shutter is closed when the vehicle is stationary then moves to effect airflow, aerodynamics, and fuel efficiency.

Why might it be the next Tucson? Hyundai has already disclosed that this concept has the dimensions of a compact SUV. That ticks the Tucson box. There's also the name of the vehicle "Vision T" and the fact that nearly every SUV in the Hyundai lineup has either debuted or undergone a significant redesign in the last 18 months except Tucson. It's logical that Tucson would be up next and that it would evolve Hyundai's powertrain offerings given the success of the Kona EV.

Earlier, Hyundai announced that 13 new products would be making their way into the company's portfolio in the coming years including the Hyundai Santa Cruz truck.

No details about the car's plug-in hybrid powertrain are yet available. The full concept car will be revealed during AutoMobility LA.

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web