Chevrolet debuts EV-converted 1957 'Project X'
Wednesday, 3 November 2021
General Motors has used Sema 2021 as the setting to reveal the latest version of ‘Project X’, an ongoing collaborative effort between Chevy, MotorTrend and Cagnazzi Racing.
The 1957 Chevrolet was originally purchased in 1965 for a measly US$250 (about US$2177 today) and has served as a testbed for more than five decades as the editors of MotorTrend’s Hot Rod brand have experimented with new products and technologies, as well fresh builds.
It has been powered by inline-six and V8 engines, and has at times used carburettors, fuel injection and supercharging. The classic ’57 has been reimagined so often and so extensively that it has been called the million-dollar Chevy.
Now, the previous supercharged LSX V8 engine has been ditched in favour of an electric motor producing around 254kW and 447Nm, paired with a 30kWh battery running at 400 volts. There aren’t any range details, aside from the promise of enough juice for a weekend cruise.
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Project X has ditched the exhaust as a result of the new powertrain, which allowed Cagnazzi to lower the vehicle by around two inches. There are softer front springs and different rear springs, as the electric motor doesn’t weigh as much as a combustion engine.
Somewhat more interesting is that GM has confirmed the pack 'is being evaluated for potential use as a next-generation Chevrolet Performance product.'
It is a modular unit where a builder could select the right one depending on the desired range, cost, packaging, and weight. There will be a choice of differentials, which allow different final drive ratios for better range or faster acceleration.
While Project X is undoubtedly cool (although the legions of angry YouTube commenters seem to think ‘testbed for new technology’ means ‘put a big V8 in it’), it does remind us rather strongly of Mercury Energy’s “Evie”, a conversion of a 1957 Ford Fairlane right here in New Zealand about three years ago.
‘Evie’ handily outpowers Project X as well, with up to 300kW of power available from the Siemens “bus-strength” motor. It is fed by a 50kWh battery, enough for 120km of range.