Opel has announced that it will be the first car manufacturer in the world to offer a full electric car for customer rally sport. The race car is based on the latest generation Corsa-e and will make its global debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show next month.
Underpinned by the PSA Group’s CMP platform, the Corsa-e rally car shares the same electric motor as the road-going version, which makes 100 kW (136 hp) and 260 Nm of torque. Juice is supplied by a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be fast-charged to 80% of its capacity in 30 minutes. Charging can be done via cable, wallbox or high-speed charging, while battery levels can be checked with the “myOpel” app.
Opel claims that the Corsa-e Rally will deliver the same fun and dynamic driving as the production car, but the former gets beefed up with rally suspension, integrated lightweight roll-cage, underbody protection for engine and transmission, electric fire extinguisher, quick-release fasteners for bonnet and tailgate, and a newly developed high-voltage safety warning system.
The rally car tips the scales at 1,400 kg, and is dimensionally larger than the regular car. Its width and height is up by five millimetres, while the wheelbase has been marginally stretched by two millimetres. Also fitted are items such as a motorsport display with data-logger, hydraulic “fly-off” handbrake, and a special brake management and recuperation system.
Unlike many higher-powered rally cars, the Corsa-e Rally is front-wheel drive only, but in this application it gets a torque-sensing (Torsen) differential. All four corners sit on 17-inch wheels with ET20 offset. Options include a Tripmaster (rally-specific device) and additional lighting systems.
Source: Read Full Article