In a Restomod electrified Chevrolet Blazer from 1977 GM presents the first retrofittable electric drive High-volume manufacturer. It comes from the Chevrolet Bolt and should be suitable for other vehicles from the group.

In principle, every one is suitable for an e-mobile Auto The idea is not new: Karabag has been electrifying conventional classic cars in Europe for years, Zelectric in the USA and for around a year there has been the option of eClassics with the official blessing of Volkswagen to have the drive of the VW E-Up transplanted into the VW Beetle or the VW T1. Beetles and Bulli are just popular examples – in principle, any car can be converted into an e-mobile. The possibility of subsequent electrification of formerly fossil-powered cars has grown very close to the manufacturer with factory approvals such as that for eClassics. This solution has certainly become acceptable for a small handful of more customers, but development and production have so far remained firmly in the hands of small companies.

Chevrolet Blazer EV (8 pictures) The blazer is – especially in Europe – more than just a matter of taste. As a dinosaur of the fossil era with truck technology, space for two adults and a gasoline consumption of barely below 25 liters to 100 km … After a SEMA (November 2nd to 6th 2020), which was relocated to the network because of infection protection, this will possibly change change: With GM, the first automaker – and one of the largest at that – wants to present an electric drive for retrofitting. The electrification kit is presented in a Chevrolet Blazer K5 from 1977. The car has long been more than just a matter of taste, especially in Europe. As a dinosaur of the fossil era with truck technology, space for two adults and a gasoline consumption of barely below 20 liters to 100 km it is a monument in the core enemy image of all those with a spirit of mobility revolution and is therefore extremely well suited as a demonstration object for GM’s PR stunt.

Out with the huge V8 The SUV loses the with 100 kW not really powerful, but with a displacement of 6.6 liters it is a huge V8. The 130 kW electric motor with 360 Nm torque including its power electronics of the electric car Chevrolet Bolt. We had the identical Opel Ampera-e as a test car.

GM cleverly calls the retrofit a “crate engine.” “(based on the” Crate Engine “, which is particularly popular with tuners in the USA). Surprisingly, it is connected to the all-wheel drive via a four-speed automatic transmission, the three-speed automatic converter is replaced. With this model, GM has obviously thought less of efficiency than of a quick solution of marrying the engine and transfer case. Tank and exhaust are recycled, for this GM screws the 400 – volt battery with 60 kWh on the loading area. It still looks pretty shirt-sleeved – but the blazer is also a demonstration object.

“Electric Connect and Cruise package” GM says the demand was high enough for the “Electric Connect and Cruise package” to be commercially viable. It should be available from the second half 2020 and consist of a motor, battery, AC-DC inverter, DC-DC -Converter, wiring harness and battery air conditioning exist. However, GM has not thought of garage hobbyists: the installation should be allowed to be carried out by certified specialist companies after appropriate training. The first customer is Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, a specialist in well-maintained Corvette tuning in Michigan.

Electrification almost always touches on chassis issues Two main reasons speak for the installation by a trained company: The dangers of handling the high electrical power and the conversion of safety-relevant auxiliary units on the chassis. The brake system requires electrical support either by a vacuum pump or an electrical actuator. The situation is similar with the hydraulically assisted steering system. Not at all to speak of comfort features like the air conditioning.

Speaking of tuning: GM could offer “Crate Motors” with higher performance. The current “Ultium” battery packs promise significantly more oomph with capacities between 50 and 200 kWh and more powerful engines . They come in cars like the GMC Hummer EV with 737 kW or the Cadillac Lyric, there with 330 kW power and one probably 100 kWh battery for 480 km in the cycle. GM also cooperates with manufacturers such as Honda for Ultium drives.

(fpi)