Chevrolet launched its track-only COPO Camaro in 2012, however this yr stands above the remainder for 2 causes. First off, there is a huge big-block engine choice provided for the very first time. And second, there are not any limits on manufacturing, so in order for you a COPO, it is best to be capable to get one. There may very well be extra to all of this than meets the attention, which we’ll discuss in a bit.
Drag racers know all in regards to the COPO, however for the remainder, this is a abstract. In 1969, a couple of Chevy dealerships used the automaker’s Central Workplace Manufacturing Order (COPO) system to special-order Camaros with choices and engines you usually could not get. 69 automobiles had been in-built that one (and solely) yr, however Chevy revived the COPO Camaro for 2012 as a devoted turn-key drag racer that is decidedly not road authorized.
For 2022, engine choices now embrace Chevy’s huge 572 cubic-inch (9.4-liter) V8. It is the primary time this massive block has graced the trendy COPO Camaro, and whereas we would like to let you know how a lot energy it creates, Chevy tells us a precise determine hasn’t been licensed with the Nationwide Scorching Rod Affiliation (NHRA) simply but. Nevertheless, perusing the crate engines obtainable from Basic Motors, the 572 is obtainable in several variations starting from 621 to just about 700 horsepower (463 – 522 kilowatts) so it’ll seemingly fall someplace in that vary.
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If these stats carry over to the COPO, the large block Camaro would slot above the 580-hp (433-kW) supercharged 5.7-liter V8 engine additionally provided. A naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8 with 470 hp (350 kW) is out there as effectively.
Honoring the unique 1969 COPO Camaro’s run, Chevy builds simply 69 examples every year however not for 2022. Now, the automaker will construct as many COPOs as there are orders, with no limits. Fewer than 700 have been made because the fashionable program launched in 2012, however with manufacturing now extensive open, automobiles will probably be assembled on a first-come-first-serve foundation till consumers cease coming. Pricing for the 2022 COPO Camaro with the big-block engine begins at $105,000.
This is the place we won’t assist trying a bit deeper in any respect of this. It is no secret that gross sales of the production-model Camaro are dismal and have been for a while. It is also no secret that Camaro’s existence virtually definitely ends with this present technology, however the final mannequin yr continues to be up within the air. We have heard 2024 and 2026 tossed out very often, however with Chevrolet mainly pulling out all of the stops for the 2022 COPO when it comes to energy and manufacturing, it positive appears like a final gasp earlier than the tip. Might 2022 be the tip of the COPO Camaro, or the tip of all Camaros?
It is simply hypothesis on our half, but when we needed to ship the Camaro out with a bang, this is not a foul technique to go. Again it up with a remaining version mannequin within the spring of 2022, and put together the lots for a potential Camaro EV sedan earlier than the tip of the last decade.
