Al Oppenheiser was instrumental in making the Camaro modern and so popular. Let’s now see what he can do to help GM’s EVs.
General Motors’ next generation electric vehicle might be more fun to drive. Chevrolet Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser has resigned from his role as a muscle car driver to join the automaker’s team that focuses on autonomous tech and EVs. Oppenheiser will take over as chief engineer, focusing on zero-emissions vehicles. He’ll begin the job in January.
GM is looking for “some of our top talent” to join its future technology team, a spokesperson for GM told Driver. Oppenheiser would not be working on an electric Camaro and his new work would apply to multiple future vehicles.
According to Car & Driver, Oppenheiser stated that he thought he’d die in his current role but was happy to join the EV development team.
In 2007, Oppenheiser was appointed Camaro chief engineer and was responsible for the development of the last two generations of the performance car.
Oppenheiser will be replaced by Mark Dickens, who will lead the Camaro’s engineering design. He is currently GM’s executive Director of Performance Variants, Parts, Accessories, and Motorsports Engineering.
GM’s next generation EVs is already leaking some details. Two models are being developed with technology from the Bolt. One of the models is a performance vehicle, which could be a cross-over. We will have to wait till 2025 to see the next-gen Bolt debut. However, its underpinnings will reportedly be for 11 other electric vehicles from the company.
Although it is not Oppenheiser’s new duty, Chevy appears to be exploring the possibility of an electric Camaro. The 2018 SEMA Show saw the unveiling of the eCOPO camaro drag racing concept by the Bowtie. It uses a pair BorgWarner electric motors that produce 738 horsepower (550 kilowatts) as well as 600 pound-feet (813 Nms of torque). It was allegedly capable of covering the quarter mile in just nine seconds .