As Cupra introduced itself to the public as a separate brand at the Geneva Motor Show, Seat’s new performance offshoot has unveiled its e-Racer. With a top speed of 270km/h, the e-Racer is designed to demonstrate Cupra’s technical capabilities
The Cupra e-Racer – the first 100% electric racing touring car in the world – has made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. With Cupra set to take on the responsibilities and work previously carried out by Seat Sport, the performance brand will inherit Seat’s involvement in the world of motorsport that has lasted for more than 40 years.
Aware that future racing will move onto alternative powertrain systems, the company’s objective is to pave the way and lead the change toward efficient and clean racing. With this in mind, the Cupra e-Racer is based on the gasoline-powered Cup Racer, but using a pure electric powertrain system.
The auto maker claims the result is a racer that is cleaner, more environmentally friendly and quieter, while maintaining a performance level that is equally as impressive as a traditional racing car’s. The electric motor is also claimed to require much less maintenance and is more efficient as it uses all the supplied energy, while a combustion engine only uses up to 30% of its fuel energy.
Additionally kinetic energy is harnessed to recover power under braking and deceleration. Acceleration has also been improved, with the e-Racer having maximum torque available from the moment the accelerator is pressed. This also means the gearbox is no longer necessary.
Delivering 300kW of continuous power and up to 680ps at its peak, the Cupra e-Racer can reach a top speed of 270km/h, accelerating from 0-100km/h in only 3.2s, and 0-200km/h in only 8.2s. The racer also features torque vectoring.
Throughout 2018 specially chosen events will showcase the performance racer and a competition for purely electric touring cars is anticipated from 2019.
