Opel's Corsa-e Is World's First All-Electric Rally Car

Opel has revealed the first look at its Corsa-e rally car ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut. The Corsa-e is the world’s first electric rally car and will compete in the 2020 ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, replacing the current Adam A2 racer.

The 50kWh battery pack derived from the road-going Corsa-e provides the rally car with 134 BHP and 191 lb-ft of torque. The car is equipped with a Torsen limited-slip differential and various other rally-spec additions such as a new suspension, four-piston brake calipers, a hydraulic “fly-off” handbrake and adapted brake management, which should come together to make the car tight and poised at high speeds and when going around corners.

Opel’s standard Corsa-e can hit 0-62 MPH in just 8.1 seconds, so you can expect the rally version to shave a few digits off that time. It comes fitted with a lightweight roll cage, and like all rally cars, has been given a thorough overhaul stripping its interior conveniences.

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller said, “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.”

He says that because the Opel Corsa-e rally car will be available for purchase by the general public — ideally prospective rally drivers. The ADAC Opel Rally Cup offers an entry ticket to young drivers from 18 countries, and now Opel will offer its electric racer to drivers for “significantly less than” $55,000 USD. Numbers will be limited to 15 units.

In other automotive news, the Audi RS6 Avant Wagon is finally heading to America.

Front-wheel drive with Torsen differential, McPherson strut with uniball joints front, hydraulic “fly-off” handbrake, lightweight body-in-white with integrated roll-cage – it’s fun talking about the #OpelCorsa-e Rally Concept. It’s even more fun driving it! #OpelRally #IAA19 pic.twitter.com/WOjQOWBzd7

— Opel (@Opel) August 22, 2019

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