- Opel develops the first battery-electric rally car
- Two development vehicles undergoing durability testing at Dudenhofen Test Centre
- Opel Corsa-e Rally features three drive modes for competition
- Entries for ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2020/2021 open on December 15, 2019
Opel Corsa-e Rally |
Comprehensive development programme of the Opel Corsa-e Rally for the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup is proceeding at full speed. Two examples of the battery-electric rally car are currently undergoing durability testing at the Dudenhofen Test Centre. “We have two objectives”, said Opel Motorsport Director, Jörg Schrott. “Both cars are covering as many kilometres as possible, in order to gather the maximum amount of data at an early stage. There is no experience of an electric rally car that we could turn to, so initially we had to rely on calculations and simulations. These are being gradually replaced with real data. Other focuses are on loads and temperature management of the battery under rally conditions, as well as adapting the software. I am pleased to report that our programme is going smoothly.”
While the power output is almost the same, 260 Nm of torque is much higher than the Opel ADAM Cup’s. |
Engineers at Opel Motorsport will turn to the speed of the 100 kW (136 hp) electric rally car in the second phase of development. “With a brand cup car, it is important that the performance remains constant and accessible under all conditions. The equipment should guarantee equal opportunity for all participants”, said Jörg Schrott. “We also decided that the Corsa-e Rally should match and exceed the high standards of its petrol-engine predecessor, Opel ADAM Cup. We are on the right road here too. While the power output is almost the same, 260 Nm of torque is much higher than the Opel ADAM Cup’s. Centre of gravity is low, thanks to the underfloor-mounted battery, and the weight distribution is also very good, which is extremely important for an agile competition car. Now we need to find the most balanced chassis setup, so in January we will start simulating some real rally stages.”
Engineers at Opel Motorsport will turn to the speed of the 100 kW (136 hp) electric rally car in the second phase of development. |
As soon as development of the Opel Corsa-e Rally has been completed, a reference car will be built that will also serve as the template for customer vehicles. Around 20 examples are expected to be built for the 2020/21 season, up to 15 will be delivered to customer teams in the summer – in time for the first test event in July.
Ideal setup: drive modes for rally stages and road sections
Orders for the Opel Corsa-e Rally can be placed now, entries for the 2020/21 ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup open on December 15, 2019.
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