Opel
has started testing the Corsa-E Rally, a battery-electric rally car, at the
Dudenhofen Center, in Germany. Previewed
by the Corsa-e Rally Concept presented at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show and
based on the production-spec supermini, the electric racer has now entered the
testing phase in prototype form.
Powering
the zero-emission racer is a 136 PS and 260 Nm of
torque electric motor, which uses the same battery as the production model. The
50 kWh provides a range of 337 km in the WLTP test cycle, yet it
has been optimized for rallying, with three driving modes: Competition, Rain
and Eco.
The
first one allows the motor to unleash the full power and torque, giving it a
range of at least 60 km . The second one adapts the torque curve to
slippery surfaces and the latter has an energy-saving technology that should
come in handy for driving between stages and to service.
The
German car maker still needs to fine-tune the chassis for the competition, and
will start simulating real rally stages next month. Around 20 units of the
Corsa-e Rally will be built for the 2020/2021 season, and up to 15 of them will
be delivered to customers next summer, in time for the first test event that
kicks off in July.
