Following its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018, the all-electric Cupra E-racer has been put through its paces on track in Zagreb, Croatia, testing the integration of the electric battery pack with the rest of the vehicle.
The vehicle’s all-electric drivetrain produces 689ps, propelling the vehicle from 0-65mph (0-105km/h) in 3.2 seconds and from 0-125mph (0-201km/h) in 8.2 seconds.
All electrical, battery, cooling and propulsion systems had previously been tested individually, but this track session saw the components integrated and their operation tested together, with results that were said to have made the Cupra team “very optimistic”.
The Cupra E-Racer is the first touring car produced that complies with the requirements for competing in the new E TCR (Electric Touring Car Races) series, the first ever electric, multi-brand touring car championship.
The Cupra’s battery pack is made up of 6,072 round cell batteries (equivalent to 9,000 mobile phone batteries), which provides sufficient range for the new E TCR series.
Data compiled during the tests will be used to continue adjusting the systems, enabling the next step in the development and validation process to focus on the vehicle’s performance.
“With the Cupra E-Racer we want to bring racing to the next level,” says Seat executive vice president for research and development, Dr Matthias Rabe.
“We believe we can help reinvent motorsport and achieve success. Motorsport is one of the pillars of Cupra, and we are proud of the team that is making this electric touring race car possible.”
