Who said there’s no room for a ute in our brave new electric future?
Chevrolet’s E-10 Concept imagines the future of hot rodding, with a 1962 C-10 pickup truck converted to tun on electric power.
The crated, Connect & Cruise concept propulsion package, offers around 335kW of motivation, using proven components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.
Highlighting the company’s electric capabilities, using production-based components, the E-10 demonstrates electric conversion possibilities for classic vehicles, blending vintage styling and high performance with zero-emissions driving.
“The Chevrolet E-10 electrified Connect & Cruise concept system re-imagines the performance crate engine for hot rodders,” Vice president of Performance and Motorsports, Jim Campbell, said.
“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.”
Along with its zero-emissions performance, the E-10 Concept makes a design statement by blending vintage style with modern technologies.
The truck’s classic silhouette, with its pronounced hood and forward-leaning A-pillars, remains instantly recognizable.
While contemporary enhancements include an illuminated Bowtie emblem in the grille, LED headlamps and tail lights, and a lowered stance accented with 20 x 9-inch front and 22 x 10-inch rear wheels.
Inside, the original instrument panel is updated with digital displays for the electric propulsion system; and the rest of the cabin is restored and features leather-trimmed seats.
The E-10’s Connect & Cruise concept propulsion system is composed of a double stack of Chevrolet Performance concept electric crate motors (eCrate), two 400 volt batteries and a conventional SuperMatic 4L75-E automatic transmission.
The double stack eCrate motor replaces the truck’s original petrol engine under the hood and is connected to the automatic transmission, which transfers torque to the rear axle.
Power to the drive stack comes from the pair of independent Chevrolet Bolt EV power electronics and two production Bolt EV battery packs.
Mounted in the truck’s bed, each offers 60 kWh of usable energy under a hard tonneau cover.
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With an estimated 335kW horsepower to the rear wheels, the concept electric propulsion system helps the E-10 deliver 0-100km/h times of around 5.0 seconds; and quarter mile times in the high 13 second range.
To fit in with other hot rods on the road, the E-10 has a sound emulator complete with three speakers to simulate an induction sound and two banks of a V8 engine in the back of the vehicle.
The driver can select one of five modes on the emulator, including: LS7 Z28 track tuning, LS7 Z28 touring turning, a V8 engine, a futuristic sound or silent.
The sounds will automatically adjust to the changing of the gears, truly mimicking an internal combustion engine.
In classic hot rodding fashion, Chevrolet designers and engineers for the E-10 Concept leveraged production components from other vehicles — the Bolt EV battery packs — and fabricated custom solutions to bring the idea to life.
The motor stack is a unique assembly that houses a pair of high-efficiency motors.
They’re built into a modular housing that enables up to three motor assemblies to be stacked and linked together for greater power delivery, while the Bolt EV’s modular battery packs enable range for long-distance driving.
Additionally, the independent setup of the two battery packs allows for simultaneous charging, more range and more power. In fact, the system more than doubles the available power in a production Bolt EV.
Chevrolet's beaut E-10 based on a 1962 ute.
Chevrolet's beaut E-10 based on a 1962 ute.
Chevrolet's beaut E-10 based on a 1962 ute.
Chevrolet's beaut E-10 based on a 1962 ute.
Chevrolet's beaut E-10 based on a 1962 ute.
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