As promised, Opel developed an all-electric rally car, the Opel Corsa-e Rally (based on the production Opel Corsa-e/Vauxhall Corsa-e), which will be used in all-new ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup.

The first two development vehicles currently are undergoing durability testing at Dudenhofen Test Centre in Germany, as Opel would like to be ready within a few months.

After the development program is completed, Opel will build a reference car and start working on 20 units for the 2020/21 season starting on December 15, 2020 (15 to be available for customer teams in summer 2020 for "significantly" less than €50,000 (£46,000) (net)).

According to the press release, there will be three driving modes

  • Competition mode - full power and maximum torque are available for at least 60 km (37 miles)
  • Rain mode - a torque curve adapted to slippery surfaces
  • Eco mode - to use between stages and for driving to service

"The Corsa-e Rally has the same battery as the production car. The 50kWh energy storage capacity enables a range of 337km according to WLTP. In order to optimise the range for rallying, the battery offers three modes: in “competition mode”, full power and maximum torque are available. Electric cars have especially high torque, so the “rain mode” gives a torque curve adapted to slippery surfaces. Teams will use the energy-saving “eco mode” between stages and for driving to service."

Opel Corsa e-Rally Cup (2019)
Opel Corsa e-Rally Cup (2019)

Opel Motorsport Director, Jörg Schrott said:

“We have two objectives. 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.”

“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. We also decided that the Corsa-e Rally should match and exceed the high standards of its petrol-engine predecessor, the Opel ADAM Cup. We are on the right road here too. While the power output is almost the same, the 260Nm of torque is much higher than the ADAM Cup’s. The 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.”

Gallery: Opel Corsa e-Rally Cup (2019)

Opel Corsa-e Rally specs:

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 232x28-mm front discs, 264x12-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)

Opel Corsa-e/Vauxhall Corsa-e specs:

  • 50 kWh battery (battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 160 000 km for 70% of its charge capacity, cells supplied by CATL)
  • about 330 km (205 miles) of preliminary WLTP range
  • 100 kW and 260 Nm electric motor
  • 0-50 km/h (31 mph) in 2.8 seconds
  • 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds
  • on-board charger 7.4 kW single-phase or 11 kW three-phase (5 hours recharge)
  • 80% fast charge in 30 minutes using CCS DC up to 100 kW
Hide press release Show press release

Development of Opel Corsa-e Rally Underway

Wed, 11/12/2019 - 13:45
 
Opel develops the first battery-electric rally car
  • Two development vehicles undergoing durability testing at Dudenhofen Test Centre
  • Corsa-e Rally features three drive modes for competition
  • Entries for ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2020/2021 open on December 15, 2019

Rüsselsheim.  The 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.”

The engineers at Opel Motorsport will turn to the speed of the 100kW (136hp) 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, the Opel ADAM Cup. We are on the right road here too. While the power output is almost the same, the 260Nm of torque is much higher than the ADAM Cup’s. The 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.”

As soon as development of the 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

The Corsa-e Rally has the same battery as the production car. The 50kWh energy storage capacity enables a range of 337km according to WLTP. In order to optimise the range for rallying, the battery offers three modes: in “competition mode”, full power and maximum torque are available. Electric cars have especially high torque, so the “rain mode” gives a torque curve adapted to slippery surfaces. Teams will use the energy-saving “eco mode” between stages and for driving to service.

Orders for the Corsa-e Rally can be placed now, entries for the 2020/21 ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup open on December 15, 2019. Additional information is available at www.opel-motorsport.com or www.adac.de/e-rally and via email to customer@opel-motorsport.com.

 

 

 


TESTING. TESTING: VAUXHALL CORSA-E-BASED ELECTRIC RALLY CAR NOW IN DEVELOPMENT

Fri, 13/12/2019 - 07:00
  • Opel develops the first-ever battery-electric rally car, the Corsa-e Rally
  • Two development vehicles undergoing durability testing at Dudenhofen Test Centre, Germany
  • Corsa-e Rally features three drive modes for competition
  • Entries for ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2020/2021 open on 15th December 2019

Luton – Vauxhall reports today that sister brand Opel is currently conducting durability tests for its Corsa e-Rally Cup, the first-ever battery-electric rally car, at Dudenhofen Test Centre, Germany.

“We have two objectives”, said Opel Motorsport Director, Jörg Schrott. “Both cars are covering as many miles 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, as well as adapting the software. I am pleased to report that our programme is going smoothly.”

The engineers at Opel Motorsport will turn to the speed of the 100kW (136hp) 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 or even exceed the high standards of its petrol-engine predecessor, the Opel ADAM Cup. We are on the right road here too. While the power output is almost the same, the 260Nm of torque is much higher than the ADAM Cup’s. The 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.”

As soon as development of the 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 customers in the summer – in time for the first test event in July.

Ideal setup: drive modes for rally stages and road sections

The Corsa-e Rally has the same battery as the production car. The 50kWh energy storage capacity enables a range of 209 miles according to WLTP. In order to optimise the range for rallying, the battery offers three modes: in “competition mode”, full power and maximum torque are available for at least 60km. Electric cars have especially high torque, so the “rain mode” gives a torque curve adapted to slippery surfaces. Teams will use the energy-saving “eco mode” between stages and for driving to service.

Orders for the Corsa-e Rally can be placed now, entries for the 2020/21 ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup open on 15th December 2019. Additional information is available at www.opel-motorsport.com or www.adac.de/e-rally and via email to customer@opel-motorsport.com.

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