German brand Opel unveiled a very interesting racecar earlier today when it debuted the Opel Corsa-e Rally Car. With this car, Opel is the very first OEM to offer a battery-electric rally racer to customers. In 2020 Opel and the ADAC (the German motorsport authority) will start the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, the first rally series for electric cars in the world.

You can learn more about the new Opel Corsa road car at this link.

The new racecar is already available to order, for just under 50 000 euros. It will be shown to the public for the first time at the upcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show at the end of September.

New… er charge

The Opel Corsa-e Rally Car will replace the company’s Adam customer racecar from next year. The all-electric racer produces 100 kW and develops 260 N.m of torque from a standstill. It is powered by a 50 kWh battery that drives a synchronous motor. Power is then fed to the front wheels via a Torsen differential. Opel has not made any performance claims for the new car.

On the front axle, the car features massive 332 mm discs clamped by four-piston brake calipers; the rear items are 264 mm. Standard wheel fitment will be 17-inch alloys. Interestingly, the hydraulic brake has been specially adapted for energy recuperation. Other standard items will include an integrated roll-cage, underbody protection for engine and transmission, electric fire extinguisher, dry battery (in engine compartment) and quick-release fasteners for bonnet and tailgate

In his own words

“The Corsa-e is the electric car for everyone – fully suited to everyday use and absolutely affordable, attributes that equally apply to motorsport. The new Corsa is also fun to drive and particularly dynamic. Using the production car as the basis, we are the first carmaker in the world to have developed an electric rally car” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.