Cupra: Electrifying ride in the e-Racer 🎥
FIRST ELECTRIC TOURING CAR From 2020, the ETCR series for electric touring cars is planned. Cupra is the first manufacturer to present a suitable car with its e-Racer. AutoSprintCH was able to see the potential for itself during an inspection and a drive in Spain. On the third weekend in October, the world's first electric racing touring car, which already complies with the ETCR regulations, will be [...]
On the third weekend in October, the world's first electric racing touring car that already complies with the ETCR regulations was presented at the Barcelona GP Circuit as part of the TCR Europe Series.
AutoSprintCH has already taken a close look at the futuristic Cupra e-Racer and got to know it during a short test drive in Spain.
The most powerful Seat product of all time
The performance data alone is impressive. Never before has such a powerful vehicle left the Seat factory in Martorell.
When the full e-power is unleashed, 500 kW (680 hp) and a torque of 960 Nm are available. In contrast, the conventional two-liter turbocharged petrol engine Cupra TCR is not much more than a walking aid...
However, its specially developed version as an e-Racer is a heavyweight at 1550 kilograms. And now there are two drivers. It will be interesting to see how this mass performs during the test drive alongside works driver Jordi Gené...
A big challenge
While the exterior of this e-prototype resembles a TCR touring car, the interior differs significantly in two respects.
23 battery modules are stacked around the driver's seat. Total weight 460 kilograms. Placing them as low and centrally as possible in the specially designed vehicle floor was one of the biggest challenges, as head of development Xavier Serra later emphasized.
Another was the development of the three cooling circuits for the batteries, the electric motor with reduction gearbox and the converter. After every journey, the three radiators located in the front have to be cooled with dry ice.
Gentle on the sensory organs
And then the second striking point after I've been strapped into the passenger seat of the Cupra e-Racer: You can't hear or smell anything except your own breath.
It was eerily quiet as soon as the e-Racer was ready in the pit garage, as racing cars are used to preheating their engines.
Unlike a conventional racing touring car, the e-Racer also has no inherent odor when first noticed. No oil, gasoline or exhaust fumes that normally cause it.
It is quiet in the cockpit until Jordi speaks to the race engineer on the radio, pulls the right-hand rocker switch behind the steering wheel and the e-Racer moves forward. First with a quiet, then with a more audible whirring, hissing and whistling.
Keeping up with the power
Out of the pit lane, the Spaniard, who has a background in the WTCC, presses the gas pedal - and the most powerful Seat of all time shoots off like a catapult to the first and all subsequent corners. Because the energy has to be sufficient for further rides with colleagues, Gené is only allowed to call up around half the power. Just as it will be available in the planned races from 2020.
More power will only be available for one or two qualifying laps, during which the Cupra e-Racer can be propelled from 0 to 100 in 3.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 270 km/h.
Only the engine sound is missing
Even if we don't achieve these values in the four to five minutes, my impression is in line with expectations - the Cupra e-Racer is a real race touring car that just lacks the background noise.
But after a few bends you can smell the burnt rubber of the slicks and the heated brakes. Does this smell sound familiar to me? After fast laps, for example, or a fast pass with a production car.
Changeover for the pilot
However, the Cupra e-Racer's sluggishness is not noticeable for the passenger - but it is for the driver.
Jordi Gené: "I basically had to start from scratch. You have no feedback from the engine and the high revs, only one gear and no engine brake. You have to concentrate even more than usual on braking and traction. Because of its mass, the centrifugal forces push the car outwards in the corners. You run the risk of missing the apex and missing the ideal line. But it's fun, just like with previous racing cars."
Me as a co-driver too - thank you Jordi, thank you Cupra Racing.
The ETCR can come. And I'll probably even watch a race then...
