It is an interesting thought: what to call the “petrol-heads” among us as EVs take on the leading edges of motorsport?
Formula E is developing in leaps and bounds, at the world-famous Pikes Peake hill climb course VW’s ID.R recently smashed the course record, and now rallying is set to see an influx of electric racing!
Yes, that’s right: EVs are now escaping the bounds of the formal motorsports track to take on rallying, with the announcement by Opel in the UK that they will produce a rally competition version of their upcoming Corsa-e passenger car.
The Corsa-e Rally cars are being built to support a new e-Rally competition named the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup. (As a successor to a previous ICE vehicle based version).
The car and competition are designed to offer an entry point to rallying for young drivers from all around the world. Set to begin in mid-2020, 15 of the Corsa-e Rally cars are to be built for the race series.
The vehicle will be made available through Opel Motorsport at a cost just under £46,000 (AU$83,000), and is to be formally revealed at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in mid-September.
For the petrol, er.., performance-heads: Corsa-e Rally technical info below:
Opel Corsa-e Rally Technical Data
| Electric motor: | Synchronous |
| Power: | 100 kW (136 hp) |
| Torque: | 260 Nm |
| Battery: | Lithium-ion, 50 kWh |
| Transmission: | Front-wheel drive with Torsen differential |
| Suspension: | Rally suspension McPherson strut with uniball joints front |
| Wheels: | 7 x 17; ET20 |
| Steering: | Electric power steering |
| Brakes: | 4-piston brake calipers Interior ventilated 332×28-mm front discs, 264×12-mm rear discs Hydraulic brake pressure adjustable at rear, especially adapted for recuperation Adapted brake management and recuperation Hydraulic “fly-off” handbrake |
| Chassis: | Lightweight body-in-white with integrated roll-cage Underbody protection for engine and transmission Electric fire extinguisher, dry battery (standard in engine compartment) Quick-release fasteners for bonnet and tailgate |
| Electrical system: | ESP, traction control (TC) and ABS deactivated Motorsport display with data-logger Newly developed high-voltage (HV) safety warning system Optional: Tripmaster & additional lighting |
| Dimensions: | Length: 4,060 mm Width: 1,770 mm (5.0 mm wider than production) Height: 1,440 mm (5.0 mm higher than production Wheelbase: 2,540 mm (2.0 mm longer than production) |
| Weight: | Approx. 1,400 kg |
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.