Opel tests the electric Corsa-e on a rally track

Opel showed us the production-ready Corsa-e subcompact at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall. Now, the company began testing its Rally version in Dudenhofen, Germany.

According to Jörg Schrott, manager of Opel Motorsport, the off-road-capable prototype will be tested ‘as extensively as possible’ to gather the largest possible amount of data about its performance. Since the company had never built an all-electric rally car before, it had to make do with computed-based simulation at first. Now, it will be driving the subcompact almost 24/7, comparing the real performance data with the simulation results and polishing the ECU software.

It is worth noting that the Opel Corsa-e Rally comes powered by the same motor as its more mundane counterpart, specifically a mill rated at 136 PS (134 hp, 100 kW) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque. The battery size is also identical at 50 kWh.

Drivers will get three modes to switch between: Competition (maximum power, guaranteed 60 km / 37 mi of range), Rain (better traction on slippery roads), and Eco (driving mode for normal daily use).

In January, the engineering crew will start calibrating the chassis based on the data collected. In summer 2020, the first season of the Opel e-Rally Cup will launch simultaneously with the Rallye Deutschland.

The Opel e-Rally is a single-make racing series that comes as a replacement for the discontinued Adam compact car series. Winners will get an opportunity to pilot a Corsa R2 to victory at the European Junior Rally.

Initially, Opel plans to produce 15 Corsa-e Rally hatchbacks priced under €50,000. The production will then be adjusted in accordance with the demand.